Inside Label: American Football League Officiating Crew Fitted Caps

Autumn is the season in which Sunday, a day holy amongst itself; replenishes the mind of a religion whose basis is shaped by the brutality of play. Autumn is the time in which American football takes center stage within the guts of our social sphere.
This autumn, when the first down is played, the establishment of the American Football League will enter its post Golden Anniversary era. At the time of its establishment, the American Football League served as a competitive force toward the goliath stature of the National Football League. The desire of the AFL to expand into different cities, as well as broadcast televised games, allowed them to reach a broader fan base. With the NFL feeling the pressure of the AFL’s success, a merger was brought to the table. The talk of a merger sparked an annual title game know as the Super Bowl. The merger was completed after the 1969 season, with both leagues playing under the NFL umbrella in 1970.
The American Football League left an indelible mark on the game of football. The unique, bright, stylized uniforms popped beyond the colorized television screen. Player identification was taken to another level as names began appearing on the backs of the uniform. The officiating crew did away with the traditional black shaded, zebra striped uniform. Instead, they exchanged that look for a vibrant orange tonal stripe. This was a very appealing characteristic of the AFL and it remains as one of its most distinct characteristics.
Posted below are two definitive examples of the AFL and its impact on the game of football. These two uniquely designed caps were worn by the officiating crew during the time in which the AFL operated independent of the NFL. Both hats were crafted from wool material, black and orange. They were both shaped through the structure of six individual panels. Braid is stitched down each panel edge. The braid scheme for the black cap is orange, black, and orange. The braid scheme for the orange cap is reverse, black, orange, black. On the front two panels rests the AFL official logo. The logo is directly embroidered onto a piece of white felt. The logo rests atop the braid and is stitched in a single needle style. The logo on the orange style cap is stitched down in black thread while the logo on the black cap is stitched down in white thread. The eyelits, which rest on each panel, are threaded in unison with the color of the cap. At the top of the hat is a button wrapped in black wool. Further research indicates that the under visor consisted of a green material while the sweatband was of a soft leather. The manufacturer of these caps is unknown.
These unique artifacts are protected within the vaults of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, serving as an educational tool of the AFL and its legacy within the game of football.

Text: Jared E. Wheeler

Inside Label: 1932 Babe Ruth Game Worn Cap

Emotions flared prior to the start of the 1932 World Series between the Chicago Cubs of the National League and the New York Yankees of the American League. The iconic Babe Ruth verbally made comments to the press about the Cubs management and their poor treatment of Mark Koenig, Ruth’s former teammate and current Cubs shortstop. This angered the Cubs and their loyal fans. The intensity streamed onto the field, but it would be a short, yet notable World Series, with one of the games most significant acts occurring in Game three at Wrigley Field in Chicago.
In the first inning of the third game, Babe Ruth launched a three run home run. He was greeted with the hostile words of the Wrigley faithful. The unforgiving roars arose again when Ruth strolled toward the left handed batters box in the top of the fifth inning. The great Bambino worked himself into a two ball, two strike count as he calmly fought off the loud jeering which rained on him from both the fans and the players along the top step of the Cubs dugout. Before Ruth stepped in to face Charlie Root, he made a gesture which silenced the crowd and left an indelible footnote within the history of the game and its unique folk lore. Ruth firmly raised his hand, pointing toward centerfield. His gesture was bold, for he was marking the spot in which he would hit the next pitch. Ruth took Charlie Roots next pitch to that exact location, giving the Yankees the lead. The crowed remained silent and the Yankees went on to sweep the series. History has noted this chapter as “the called shot.”
This beautiful, six panel navy wool crafted hat was featured by Robert Edward Auctions in 2009. The front two panels feature the timeless interlocking NY logo. This historic logo was adopted by the Yankees in 1909. Its origins trace back from a medal, which displayed the logo, presented to the first New York City police officer injured in the line of duty. The logo is embroidered in white thread and shows significant wear. The panels are locked together through a white thread, single needle stitch pattern. The eyelets are covered in a toned brown thread, while the top metal button is not present on the top of the crown. The brim of the cap uses a thick cardstock like substance. It is wrapped in blue wool and shows tremendous cracking and wear. The under brim is lined in a soft green cloth while leather wraps the lower inner surface of the hat. The leather is worn and cracked but posses an ageless quality that is significant in the historical makeup of headwear. The most distinctive piece of this hat is situated on the inner rear of the hat. A hand cut, tonal piece of canvas is stitched into the back of the hat. On the canvas is a faded, black stamping noting the bearer of the piece, B. RUTH. This cap has been tipped several times by the hands of Babe Ruth, saluting his faithful supporters after blasting one of his many home runs.
Ruth succumbed to complications caused by cancer on August 16, 1948. The indelible legacy, in which he so gracefully left upon the game, has been passed on from generation to generation. George Herman Ruth, the Babe, the Sultan of Swat, will forever remain the most notable figure in the history of baseball.

Images: Robert Edward Auctions  /   Text: J.Wheeler

Inside Label: 1962 MLB All-Star Game Straw Hat

Baseball is a game which thrives in the twilight of summer. It is a game which reflects the valued traits of American patriotism. It is a game which has stood the test of time, finding an everlasting foothold within the heart’s and mind’s of American society. Nothing displays its importance more than the All Star Game, baseball’s mid-summer classic.
The first All Star contest was held in 1933 at Comiskey Park on Chicago’s south side. It was originally formatted to coincide with the World’s Fair Exposition. However, it served as a short form of relief from the depressing economic collapse which suffocated the 1930’s. The great Babe Ruth left his mark on the mid-summer classic by hitting its first home run. The All-Star Game has been an annual event since that sunny summer afternoon in Chicago, pausing only for World War II.
The 1962 All Star Game was held in the nation’s capital. It was the first of two All Star games that would be played out that year in order to boost interest. President John F. Kennedy sat in attendance and threw out the ceremonial first pitch. The game was dominated by pitching but won by speed on the base paths. Maury Wills, shortstop for the Los Angeles Dodgers, scored the first run of the game after stealing second base. He again used his speed in the eighth inning to pad the National Leagues’ lead. The game ended with the National winning by a score of 3-1. The incredible instincts and speed of Wills on the base paths earned him MVP honors. It would be the first time this award was presented at the All Star Game.
This woven style straw hat is currently being featured by Hunt Auctions in their July auction. Stitched, in a single needle style, on the outer crown is a cream satin band. Screen printed on the band in scarlet type is, 1962 All Star Game. A multi-colored feather accents the side of the straw hat as it lies over the cream satin band. Further research has determined that this style of hat was worn by members of the press. This unique piece is a depiction of the importance the All Star Game has within American society.

Image: Hunt Auctions

Inside Label: Bobby Jones 1920's Straw Hat

During the month of June, the age old game of golf is played out in a major tournament known as the U.S. Open. One can trace the origins of the tournament to Bobby Jones, the eye of the golfing world during the roaring 1920’s. Jones was the Babe Ruth of the game of golf, winning the U.S. Open a total of four times within seven years.
Jones was slated as an amateur throughout his entire career, only playing golf as a part-time hobby. In 1930, in his final year of competition, the twenty-eight year old Jones mastered the links of all four major tournaments, the U.S. Open, the U.S. Amateur, the British Open and the British Amateur. This remarkable feat is marveled as one of the greatest accomplishments within American sports.
After removing himself from the spotlight, Jones began making instructional golf videos. His masterful approach served as an influence to the future of the game. Jones was the lead architect behind the course at Augusta National. Jones also founded the illustrious tournament which is played out each year on his course. This tournament is none other than the Masters. After founding the event, and designing the layout of its course, Jones played in it until his health prohibited him from shooting a round of golf.
This woven, pork pie style straw hat was featured by Robert Edward Auctions in their May of 2010 auction. The hat can be traced to the 1920’s, the era in which Jones dominated the links. The outer crown surface is wrapped in a silk like black band. The interior is lined in a brown leather band. Atop the inner crown rests several bold stampings, thus which includes the manufacturer, American Fashion Hats, as well as their associated union. The hat is sized at 6 ¾ and has Jones’ autograph on the outer crown in blue ink. This is a significant historical piece that has preserved the legacy of golfing great, Bobby Jones.

Images: Robert Edward Auctions

Inside Label: Ray Schalk's Chicago White Sox, 1917 6-Panel Wool Cap

After holding a post of neutrality in the early stages of World War I, the United States of America issued a declaration of war against Germany on the date of April 6, 1917. Four million troops volunteered their services, bolstering the Allies’ campaign against German forces on the European front.
With baseball posing as the nations patriotic past time, many teams began showing their loyalty to the wages of war declared by President Wilson. Drill sergeants were assigned to every American League team and would conduct daily military drills with the players prior to the start of the game. War charity exhibition games were held throughout the season, pinning several inter-league match ups. Uniforms were decorated with felt patches that depicting the American flag or its imposing colors. The program for the annual fall classic featured an illustration of President Wilson tossing a baseball above a powerful image of the nations’ flag. However, the most striking piece was worn at home by the Chicago White Sox during the 1917 World Series against the New York Giants.
The White Sox toiled the earth of Comiskey Park in an off white wool style jersey. White stars were hand cut within the Sox chest logo as red, white and blue braid trimmed the uniform top. The stirrup hose and hat also displayed the majestic colors of the American flag. The patriotic clad White Sox defeated the New York Giants in 6 games. The bats of Eddie Collins and Joe Jackson paved a tremendous offensive attack while Red Farber won three games, completing two. 
This rare six panel cream wool cap was worn by Ray Schalk, the White Sox Hall of Fame catcher, during the 1917 World Series. The brim of the cap is wrapped in navy wool and is applied through the use of white thread. A navy button rest at the top of the caps crown with streaks of navy and scarlet cord edge pealing down the panel edges. Cream stitched eyelets are punched through the hats panels and a tan leather ban wraps around the inside of the cap. This unique piece of baseball and American history rests within the Baseball Museum in Cooperstown, New York.

Inside Label: 1988 Kansas University New Era Cap

In 1891, James Naismith formulated the rules to the game of basketball. He used the game as an athletic distraction, producing an active environment for his students during the cold New England winter. Naismith knotted two peach baskets on opposing sides of one another, both which served as a target for a soaring soccer ball. Several years later, in 1898, Naismith expanded the game to the Midwest by establishing the basketball program at Kansas University. Naismith would oversee the program through the end of the 1907 season.
The basketball program at Kansas University has taken the NCAA Tournament crown three times. The great Wilt Chamberlain situated his 7’1” frame under the net on the Kansas hardwood. The sharp shooting, Kansas bred, Danny Manning exploded onto the collegiate scene while in a Jayhawks uniform. The pin point, pressure packed miracle shot of Mario Chalmers helped the Jayhawks capture their most recent title in 2008. The history of the game of basketball has embraced the Kansas program, hoisting it as one of the nation’s top programs. The waves of March Madness have begun to take stride with the Kansas Jayhawks seeking out their fourth NCAA title.
This royal wool, New Era made cap serves as a celebration of the history of the Kansas University basketball program. It is a six panel cap with royal eyelits and a white capped button. On the front two panels, in white embroidered thread, sits the acronym of Kansas University. The under brim is grey while the inside crown is trimmed in a white cotton band. The old style New Era label sits within the inside back of the cap. This cap can be dated to the second National Title recorded by Kansas in 1988.

Text: Jared E. Wheeler