Skip to main content

Hat Corporation of America

 Organization

Biography

John Cavanagh went to work for William A. Brown Hatters of Norfolk, Virginia at the age of 17. In 1880 he went to work for Crofut and Knapp in New York and by 1907 he was vice-president and was president from 1923-1937. In 1928, Cavanagh created the company of Cavanagh-Dobbs, which included his own label of Cavanagh Hats. The Knox Hat Company was founded in 1838 by Charles Knox. His son Edward Knox, a civil war veteran, expanded the company until the Great Depression. In 1932, John Cavanagh founded the Hat Corporation of America, merging his brands with those of Knox and Dunlap. The three largest hatters in New York merged into the Hat Corporation, although Knox and Cavanagh continued to use their own labels.

Found in 3 Collections and/or Records:

Box 3

 File — B415.02.0003: Series B415.02 [Barcode: U186023258266]
Identifier: B415.02.0003
Abstract

The box contains a bible in Hebrew and English, black velvet tallith bag with embroidered turquoise Star of David that belonged to Sam Stoole's grandfather, two of Sam's pipes, and two of the buckles from his belt buckle collection that numbered in the hundreds. The box also contains two men's hats worn by Sam Stoole, photographs and papers.

Dates: circa 1955

Cavanagh Fedora Hat, circa 1955, circa 1950

 Item
Identifier: B415.02.0003.00001
Abstract Fedora felt hat with wide grosgain band. The term fedora was named after an 1882 play starring Sarah Bernhardt. In 1928, John Cavanagh created the company of Cavanagh-Dobbs, which included his own label of Cavanagh Hats. In 1932, John Cavanagh founded the Hat Corporation of America, merging his brands with those of Knox and Dunlap. The store where the hat was sold, Neusteters, is embossed on the inside of the hat. The hat is taller than the hats made in the 1960s. Lined in satin, appears the...
Dates: circa 1955; circa 1950

Derby Felt Hat, circa 1955

 Item
Identifier: B415.02.0003.00002
Abstract Brown felt man's derby hat with a grosgain band made by Knox Hats in New York City. The Knox Hat Company was founded in 1838 by Charles Knox. His son Edward Knox, a civil war veteran, expanded the company until the Great Depression. In 1932, John Cavanagh founded the Hat Corporation of America, merging his brands with those of Knox and Dunlap. The three largest hatters in New York merged into the Hat Corporation, although Knox and Cavanagh continued to use their own labels. The short brim is...
Dates: circa 1955

Filtered By

  • Subject: Denver (Colo.) X

Additional filters:

Subject
Jewish men 2
Belt buckles 1
Bible. Old Testament 1
New York (N.Y.) 1
New York (State) 1
∨ more