LELAND’S is an industry leader in Sports and Smericana memorabilia. in sports memorabilia. After digging into their vault, we spotted a few gems of Major League Baseball’s history. Picture after the jump are some prime vintage fitted baseball caps that have passed through Leland’s. MORE >> 
GAYNOR & DENT auctions and estate liquidations presents a unique piece of Baseball history. Given up for auction is a game used Altanta Braves fitted baseball cap that belonged to Hall Of Famer, William “Billy” Harrison Southworth. His profession career in sports spanned the positions of right fielder, center fielder and manager in Major League Baseball. Southworth stats include batting .300 three times, not counting shortened seasons. In a 13-season career, he batted .297 with 52 home runs and 561 runs batted in. Southworth racked up 138 stolen bases, 296 hits in 4,359 at bats during his professional tenure. The manufacturer’s tag is missing on this size 7 ½” cap. Southworth’s number “19″ has been written in dark ink underneath the brim, while “Mgr Southworth 7 ½” has been stitched on the inside in Red. This cap is accompanied with a letter from Southworth’s daughter attesting that this cap was worn by him as well as a photo Southworth wearing the same style cap. For those with long arms and deep pockets, this is now available for a cool $2950.00 on eBay.
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Here’s another historical artifact, dug up from ROBERT EDWARDS AUCTIONS. This auction lot includes two Minor league Salt Lake City Bees uniforms. One being a child size, worn by a batboy and the other an adult. Each of these home flannel uniforms, complete with team jersey, fitted cap, pants, and stirrup socks. Based upon the labels, these uniforms date back to the 1950s (it can’t be later than 1954) and is believed to be a Pioneer League uniform. Both of these two Salt Lake City Bees uniforms originates directly from the estate of Ed Leishman, a career baseball man who later served as a high-ranking team executive in both the Pacific Coast League and the Major Leagues. LOA from Dave Bushing & Troy Kinunen/MEARS. Its history now, the lot sold for $940.00
We’re pretty open about our love for vintage fitted baseball caps. Part of the appeal is the unique/unusual designs that pop up. Pictured here is a dead stock NHL LA Kings Fitted Cap from defunct cap maker, #1 Apparel. We’re deep in Kings merch and we haven’t come across any variant logo design like this. Sometimes different beats better. This “come up” was from our friend and vintage gear aficionado Brian Procell. When he’s not on tour digging for the gems, he’s the stylist for Chromeo, Cool Kids and Kid Sister. Interested parties contact him at brianprocell [at] gmail.com
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Japanese vintage shoppe LUBYS-TOKYO comes across some unique pieces. Here’s a gem from back in the day.
Apparently NEW ERA supplied fitted baseball caps to the United States Navy. From the loose translation of their website, LUBYS-TOKYO has come up on a dozen of Navy NEW ERA Pro Model caps along with the original box. This dead stock lot is estimated from 1978-81′, in size 7-3/4 only. The boxes in stamped with a USN (United States Navy) along with a serial number. For those that have hit us up searching for blank NEW ERA fitted, here’s an answer for a select few in the crowd.
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Once again HUNT AUCTIONS is offering up a museum worth piece of baseball history. Let’s turn the page back to the 1920’s, when the Giants were a New York based franchise. Player Roger Bresnahan was multi-talented athlete who played all nine positions on the field of dreams, including pitcher. He eventually moved to catcher and was ultimately labeled one of the best to ever play that position by managers John McGraw and Branch Rickey. Bresnahan’s was on the Giants’ roster from 1902-1908. After his playing career ended in 1916, he naturally transitioned into the role of coach and manager. Bresnahan returned to the New York Giants as a coach from 1925-28. The cap (pictured here) dates to that period. Produced by Spaulding, The White wool pinstriped cap features a Blue bill and classic embroidered interlocking NY on the front. The cap was a family heirloom, provided by the nephew of Roger Bresnahan and includes a Letter Of Authenticity from Hunt Auctions. Estimated Price: ($7,500.00-$10,000.00) Owie. Auction occurs March 6th & 7th, 2009.
Lot Number: 248e - Roger Bresnahan’s 1928 New York Giants Cap
Typically when you say sports memorabilia, what come to mind are objects associated with the players. HUNT AUCTIONS has a unique piece of history up for grabs. This Referee’s and cap jacket is attributed to Super Bowl II. From the 1960s era. The fitted cap features a White crown and Black bill. The interior bears a Wilson label and a tag noting size “7-1/8″. The matching White nylon jacket features Black lettering stitched across the chest reading “AFL NFL”. A Wilson manufacturer’s tag in the collar notes size “46″. Both items show light use attributed Super Bowl II played on January 14, 1968 at the Orange Bowl in Miami. The historic game saw Vince Lombardi’s Green Bay Packers defeat the Oakland Raiders by the score of 33-14 to win their second consecutive Super Bowl championship. Includes LOA from Hunt Auctions, Inc: EX-MT. This set is estimated to sell for between $500.00-$750.00. Bidding closes Jan 31st, 2009. Follow the link below for more details.
To the average eye a vintage cap might not outshine their more flashy modern cousins. History is an acquired taste. But once you get hooked on sports memorabilia, its hard to kick the habit of digging for those rare historical gems.
Before they made their home in Atlanta Georgia, the Braves played in Milwakee, Wisconsin from 1953-1966. The Braves Baseball franchise is one the National League’s last remaining charter members. The club’s originated in Boston, Massachusetts as the Boston Red Stockings in 1871.* For all the vintage fitted baseball cap “heads” out there, ANTIQUE ATHLETE has come up on a Milwaukee Braves stadium souvenir baseball cap. The piece is listed as Near Mint to Mint condition for $125. Contact them for the sizing.
*WIKI
Yes, we know where some of your favorite brands shop for “new ideas”. Recycling is very common with buzz words like “throwback” and “retro” passed around like a cold. Here an original article from the “olden days” as our home girl Michi likes to say. During the 80’s and 90’s a company called THE GAME was pumping out licensed sports caps by the boatloads. Many of their original designs are being ressurected today. Pictured here is a popular style that also appeared a snap back. For those collector’s up on their “old school” memorabilia this used vintage Purple and Gold, University of Washington Huskies Wool blend fitted cap is being offered on eBay. Size 7-5/8. More images after the jump.
90’s Vtg UW Huskies Cap Fitted 7 5/8 The Game Circle WA
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Here’s something different and nostalgic from HUNT AUCTIONS This baseball cap is a DiMaggio premium estimated to be from the 1950s. Hall of Famer and career Yankee, DiMaggio is one of the greatest players of the game, with and arm length of accomplishments on and off the field. This Green cap features a patch applied to front bearing DiMaggio’s embroidered signature. On the interior is a leather band is a label reading “This is a genuine Joe DiMaggio baseball cap.” This internet/phone auction will close to initial bids at 01/14/2009 10PM EST on January 14, 2009. Visit the link below for the current bid and get more info.
New Era 59Fifty Fitted Caps
