Occasionally NEW ERA links up with affiliates to create custom fitted baseball caps for promotion. Produced in small limited runs, these pieces aren’t for retail. NEW ERA’s latest custom project was with premier, UK based independent street art publication VERY NEARLY ALMOST The front VNA lock up logo was inspired by classic baseball graphics. The 59Fifty cap is fabricated using premium wool, with Purple and Grey stitching. The interior is lined with a printed purple satin, bearing a repeated VNA logo. Only 24 caps were made, making this is a super limited edition 59Fifty release. Although these aren’t available for purchase, THE DAILY STREET have a competition planned to win one on week starting Monday December 12th. VNA have created this stop frame video, featuring UK beatboxer, Reeps One to showcase the design. Check the video and additional pictures after the jump.

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Here’s a look at KING STAMPEDE hidden stash of unproduced sample fitted baseball caps. Season after season, apparel lines produce goods by the container load to sell to the mass market. Behind the scenes are those rare samples that are doomed to be shelved for one reason or another. DJ TEDDY KING unearthed some gems in the KS vault and found several sample fitted baseball caps that dates back to 2006. A few were put into production but the majority were shelved never to be released. No word if these will be available for sale -ever. Stay tuned to their blog for more details.

Here’s a throwback from 2007. This is something we let slip through our hands. COUP DE GRACE‘s first (and possible only) NEW ERA 59Fifty fitted baseball cap featured faux sting ray material on the front panels of the crown and bill. Definitely a stand out release for that year. This sold out piece has resurfaced at the consignment mecca HOLY GRAIL. Sad news is that there is only one size, 7-3/4. Priced at $35.00, you can’t beat that if you tried.

JAY-Z was caught watching the Bronx Bombers in A-ROD’s VIP booth earlier this week rocking both a World Series Champion ring and a unique New York Yankees 59Fifty fitted cap. Mr. Carter’s cap appears to be a continuation of his most-recent collaboration with the Yanks; the cap features the same All-Black-Everything theme with his famous line “I made the Yankee hat more famous than a Yankee can” from Empire State of Mind printed on the underbill. Whether this cap is a one-off sample or a quick teaser for a second release remains to be seen but it has everybody wondering, something that the Hov is good at. One interesting thing to note is that Jay-Z’s first fitted cap release finished sales last week with the conclusion of his and Eminem’s concerts at Yankee Stadium so sneaking in a second cap drop would make sense. Stay tuned for more details and check out more pics after the jump.

VIA: PEREZHILTON.COM via THEYBF.COM via NEW ERA BRASIL

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Speaking of odd clothing collaborations with NEW ERA, first there was 686‘s cap and outerwear jacket back in 2007. Now in 2010, Japan-based HECTIC shows off a collaborative fitted cap and suit sample. The 3-piece suit contains logos from both brands, with Hectic even parodying New Era’s iconic 59Fifty label on the jacket pocket. The cap is of simple design with a plain White H on the front panels. This just goes to show that if there is an idea, it can be created, no matter how odd and extreme it really is.

VIA: HIGHSNOBIETY
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Bay Area legends HIEROGLYPHICS posted a concert flier featuring member DOMINO. Interestingly enough, the image features an unreleased colorway of the collective’s Third Eye fitted cap. The general trend of the group’s caps have been to base it off of baseball teams so if we had to guess, this would be a Pittsburgh Pirates colorway. No other information is available however if this did make it into production, it would make a fine addition to the Third Eye lineup.

AMBUSH DESIGNS is run by Japanese MC and DJ, VERBAL of the TERIYAKI BOYZ and M-FLO fame. Pictured here are two unreleased caps from Ambush Designs rocked by the man himself throughout his world travels. Both caps are constructed of premium leather in either Black or White. The front panels feature the AMB bone logo in raised White embroidery. These are guaranteed to be a hot commodity if ever released for sale.

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Here’s another fine piece from sports memorabilia auction house LELANDS. This César Gerónimo autographed and game used fitted baseball cap was offered as part of their June 2010 Catalog.Former outfielder César Gerónimo is an alumni of the celebrated Cincinnati Reds during the 1970s, which was known as the “Big Red Machine”. Nicknamed “The Rifle, Gerónimo won four consecutive Gold Glove Awards from 1974-77. Batting and throwing left, Gerónimo was the outstanding defensive center fielder of five divisional championship series and the 1975-76 World Series Champion Cincinnati teams. This game worn, autographed cap was obtained directly from Geronimo himself. The size 7-1/8 WILSON cap features the number 20 is written in faded marker on the inside mesh of the cap. The brim is signed in Black Sharpie “Cesar Geronimo, Game Used”. With only a $100 reserve price, after 14 bids the piece sold for $529.24.

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