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Cavanagh Hats, New York
| Name: | Cavanagh Hats, New York |
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| Dates: |
1928-1980s (Life/Active Dates)
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| Biography/History: | John J. Cavanagh was born in Connecticut in born January 1864. He started working in the hatting industry at the age of 17. After a few years, he started working at Crofut & Knapp in New York City, where he worked his way up from the demanding job of brim curler. His attention to detail caught the eye of James H. Knapp, creator of the American derby hat, and one of the founders of Crofut & Knapp (C&K). Knapp mentored Cavanagh appointing him superintendent of the curling room. In 1893, following the death of Crofut, C&K dissolved as a partnership and was reformed as a corporation. Cavanagh was one of the five original stockholders. That same year, Knapp appointed Cavanagh as superintendent of the entire factory. By 1907, Cavanagh was general manager and vice-president of C&K, ascending to the presidency in 1923, a position he held until 1937. Cavanagh helped form a new holding company in 1928 to consolidate C&K and Dobbs (a brand created by C&K). The new company, Cavanagh-Dobbs, Inc., also included Cavanagh Hats, and John Cavanagh, Ltd., an exclusive retail outlet in New York City. Under pressure from the Great Depression, in 1932, Hat Corporation of America was formed to merge Cavanagh-Dobbs, Inc., and their various hat brands with Knox and Dunlap, two well-known American hat companies. Cavanagh retained the presidency of the new corporation until 1937, when he stepped down to become chairman of the board. He held this position until 1947. John Cavanagh died in 1957 in Connecticut. John Cavanagh was an innovator in hat design and technology. He introduced his patented Cavanagh Edge in 1913 and an improved version in 1931. Cavanagh Hats were known as stylish and well-made hats. Hats bearing the Cavanagh label were made into the 1980s. |
| Related Objects: |
3303.4 (Hat, Straw, Straw Boater with Black Ribbon Hatband)
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