1983 to 2009 New Era Hat Tagging Primer

[Insomniac186]

Re: 1983 to 2009 New Era Hat Tagging Primer

The "Fly Your Own Flag" slogan is new to 2012 tagging.

Dave Miedema

I meant to say that, hahaha. Wish we could edit posts! Thanks for posting that Dave.

New Era has dropped "Cool Base" completely. I bleieve it is just a Majestic thing now. New Era is now going with "NE Tech" "CoolEra" & "SolarEra", but they are only mentioned on the visor stickers when purchased new in retail.

[sox83cubs84]

Re: 1983 to 2009 New Era Hat Tagging Primer

Hey folks, here is the set of tags for 2012 for those that didn't know. Rather drastic changes to the New Era tag and size tag compared to years past. However, Dave (sox83cubs84) and I discussed that we have seen some caps with the 2010/2011 tags that were used this season, so some teams likely used leftover stock for those years.

The "Fly Your Own Flag" slogan is new to 2012 tagging.

Dave Miedema

[Insomniac186]

Re: 1983 to 2009 New Era Hat Tagging Primer

Hey folks, here is the set of tags for 2012 for those that didn't know. Rather drastic changes to the New Era tag and size tag compared to years past. However, Dave (sox83cubs84) and I discussed that we have seen some caps with the 2010/2011 tags that were used this season, so some teams likely used leftover stock for those years.

[sox83cubs84]

Re: 1983 to 2009 New Era Hat Tagging Primer

Here' a thought for the capresearchers: the label designs on New Era 39/30 BP caps. The earlier BP caps (pre-2003) were also 59/50s (Like the gamers) and used he same tags as the game versions. Beginning in 2003 the labels were printed directly on the sweat band, and trying to determine if and when changes were made in the designs would be a plus. I have a few obtained directly from players, but can't post them. Anyone else want to dig into this?

Dave Miedema

[Insomniac186]

Re: 1983 to 2009 New Era Hat Tagging Primer

Dave, upon further research it appears that those MLB tags started showing up in 1982, since I saw an authenticated game used 1982 World Series cap with the MLB tag. I haven't seen anything that is from 1981 "for sure" that has the MLB tag, but I suppose it's possible. I believe it was 1982 when Sports Specialties joined the on-field MLB cap market and made themselves the first MLB "licensee", then New Era and Roman Pro quickly followed suit.

[sox83cubs84]

Re: 1983 to 2009 New Era Hat Tagging Primer

I have been studying the tags religiously for the past couple of weeks, this is what I have from the early days until 1996. I have checked and re-checked these tags to make sure the years are correct, except for the early years which may be impossible to find out. If anyone has anything to ad, please contact me. I am working on 1997 to present (it will include the taping), give me a couple of weeks at the most for those.

Paul:

I just acquired a Scot Thompson GW Cubs cap signed and dated by Thompson to 1981, It has the MLB licensee tag that the above primer attributes to no earlier than 1983. Any thoughts on this?

Dave Miedema

[Tallyman77]

Re: 1983 to 2009 New Era Hat Tagging Primer

Rob......nice pickup on the Coane Dodger cap. They don't come around too often. It looks like it has a number under the bill too. Way to go!

-Walt

Tallyman77

Evergreen7777@att.net

[Rob L]

Re: 1983 to 2009 New Era Hat Tagging Primer

Actually, the Diamond Collection label started appearing on NEW ERA caps in 1986 and not 1988.....this can be verified by going to "New Era Timeline" and seeing what happened within the company in the 1980's. Also please note that the MLB logo on the backs of New Era caps first appeared in the 1992 season. This further assists in helping someone pinpoint a date for caps with certain labeling and styles. .

-Walt

Tallyman77

Hey Walt,

Can you email me at loefflerrd@cox.net?

I can't find your email address.

Thanks,

[Tallyman77]

Re: 1983 to 2009 New Era Hat Tagging Primer

Actually, the Diamond Collection label started appearing on NEW ERA caps in 1986 and not 1988.....this can be verified by going to "New Era Timeline" and seeing what happened within the company in the 1980's. Also please note that the MLB logo on the backs of New Era caps first appeared in the 1992 season. This further assists in helping someone pinpoint a date for caps with certain labeling and styles. .

-Walt

Tallyman77

[Insomniac186]

Re: 1983 to 2009 New Era Hat Tagging Primer

I have been studying the tags religiously for the past couple of weeks, this is what I have from the early days until 1996. I have checked and re-checked these tags to make sure the years are correct, except for the early years which may be impossible to find out. If anyone has anything to ad, please contact me. I am working on 1997 to present (it will include the taping), give me a couple of weeks at the most for those.

[Insomniac186]

Re: 1983 to 2009 New Era Hat Tagging Primer

I have gathered that New Era always made reproductions (throwbacks). I have a New Era 1950s Brooklyn Dodgers cap that was made in the 1960s for and old timers game. I have a 1969 San Diego Padres cap made in 1984, and a number of other remakes made before they got rid of there old cap machines in the late 80s. Just let me know if anyone wants to see pictures.

I was wondering who was gonna get that "Browns" cap on eBay, I came very close to buying it many times but others were a priority. Glad to see it's going to a good home!

[xpress34]

Re: 1983 to 2009 New Era Hat Tagging Primer

Dave -

!! exactly! I have been scouring the web and I can find remakes of the 1908 Browns (the 'flor d lis design) and the later Browns, but apparently, no one evr made a remake of this style which was worn during their WS year.

The hat came out of a baseball display in an estate in Louisville, KY.

I'm thinking I might have a legit deal here... thoughts?

- Smitty

Dave -

I just saw your other comments - they were in the BLUE inside my quote that you copied...

Even if it's a 1964 'throwback', I'm quite happy with it...

especially for the price!

- Smitty

[xpress34]

Re: 1983 to 2009 New Era Hat Tagging Primer

!!

Dave -

!! exactly! I have been scouring the web and I can find remakes of the 1908 Browns (the 'flor d lis design) and the later Browns, but apparently, no one evr made a remake of this style which was worn during their WS year.

The hat came out of a baseball display in an estate in Louisville, KY.

I'm thinking I might have a legit deal here... thoughts?

- Smitty

[sox83cubs84]

Re: 1983 to 2009 New Era Hat Tagging Primer

Does anyone know WHEN New Era started making 'Cooperstown Collection' or 'Throwback' hats?

Smitty:

One possible explanation:

In 1964, the Cardinals held a 20th Anniversary Old-Timers Game feturing players, and retro uniforms, of the 1944 World Series opponents...the Cardinals and the St. Louis Browns. Being a 1940-45 style uniforms, maybe the cap was made for that...?

Dave Miedema

This might throw a monkey wrench into the works, but I just picked up a New Era with tagging that matches on the chart to the PRE 1983, but NOT to the 1950 one listed but the hat is a 1940-1945 style St Louis Browns:









Did the Orioles ever do a Turn Back the Clock style using St Louis Browns?

The wool looks right for the age - including 'rust' type spots that I have seen on vintage wool jerseys but not on newer wool caps. Also, the piping down the crown seams isn't perfectly centered and the vent grommets aren't perfectly stitched like you see in newer and throwback style caps.

Thoughts???

All the best -

Smitty

!!

[xpress34]

Re: 1983 to 2009 New Era Hat Tagging Primer

Rob........maybe someone will put together a comprehensive guide to cap collecting and include all of the other manufacturers of caps like Rawlings, Spaulding, Tim McAuliffe, KM Pro, Wilson, Devon, Sports Specialties,, etc. The hobby really needs it as it would provide history and knowledge to those who have caps or want to start collecting them.

-Walt

Evergreen7777@att.net

Walt -

I had mentioned in a previous thread sometime back that research has shown (and New Era mentions it in the timeline on their site) that they actually made most ALL of th ehats and were doing Private Labeling for Wilson, McAullife, etc.

I am actually trying to get time to sit down with an usher from Coors Field that I know - Herb Shankman. Herb was a Minor League pitcher with the Boston Braves organization and knew Spahn and Sain and at Rockies Fest we got to talking and he personally knew Tim McAuliffe and said he would sit down with me so I could pick his brain and record his 'oral history' of what he remembers about McAuliffe and KM Pro and such...

I hope this materializes! Not just for the info, but Herb also said he still has his minor league pants that were handed down to him - one pair was Alvin Darks and one pair was Warren Spahns - and that he has Johnny Sain's 1948 Boston Braves jersey!!!

If I get to see it all, I will be photographing the hell out it!!!

All the best -

Smitty