Figure 1.--Here we see the Pennsylvania Snyder boys about 1910. They are wearring blouse suits. Notice heir brimless caps. We don't see a lot of these caps and in the 1910s, flat caps became standard for American boys. Click on the image for the full portrait of the Snyder boys.

We note two types of these round brimless caps. There were brimless caps both with and without hard sises. The hardside type was mostly a 19th century styles. The hard sides of these brimless caps are perpendicular like a stovepipe hat, but not nearly as high and not as stiff. But like stovepipe top hats have flat tops. The boys here are a good examole (figure 1). They seem similar to smoking caps, but I believe they were constructed somewhat differently. We think they may have been primarily a cold-weather cap. The sides may have neen two layers, but cannot yet confirm this. his was the most common type. The type without hard sides was mostly a late-19th and early-20th century style. The syle without hardsides are rounded, simiar to beanies, but more elaborate. They were, for example, lined headwear. We do not see a lot od this type of brimless caps, but we have found a few examples. It was a style for school-age boys.

Created: 9:29 PM 11/22/2024
Last updated: 9:29 PM 11/22/2024