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Railroad Line: Erie Railroad
Service Role: Trainman / Passenger Conductor
Manufacturer / Tailor: Hughes & Thomas Custom Tailors (53 East 19th St, New York, N.Y.)
Era: Early 20th Century (Circa 1920s–1940s)
Up for sale is a magnificent piece of authentic, early American railroading history: an original antique Erie Railroad Trainman Uniform Cap. This exceptional artifact comes complete with its genuine silver-tone stamped metal "TRAINMAN" badge featuring the iconic debossed Erie diamond logo.
What makes this particular piece an elite collector’s item is the beautifully preserved custom maker's crest inside the crown. It was meticulously crafted by Hughes & Thomas Custom Tailors out of New York City, a highly regarded premium uniform outfitter whose surviving work is preserved in selective museum registries and historical archives.
Condition Report (True "As-Found" Estate State)
This hat is being offered in completely untouched, uncleaned, and honest "as-found" condition to fully preserve its rich historical value and natural patina.
• Exterior: The dark fabric crown displays marvelous service character, with typical faint age dusting and light cosmetic fraying along the upper structural crown edges consistent with real duty use. The black patent leather visor is securely fastened and displays a nice aged gloss surface.
• Interior: The inner silk lining features a brilliant, incredibly crisp gold-leaf Hughes & Thomas custom tailoring logo. The original genuine leather sweatband remains fully intact with expected storage drying and typical thread separation along the rear rim.
• Authenticity Note: No modern restoration, cleaning chemicals, or alterations have been performed on this garment. It stands as a perfect, highly displayable museum-grade artifact.
Shipping & Handling
• Professional Packing: We treat rare historical pieces with the absolute utmost respect. This hat will be wrapped securely and packed inside a rigid, oversized corrugated shipping box with premium crush-proof padding to ensure the delicate internal frame is 100% protected during transit.
• Full Insurance: Ships fully tracked and insured.
⚠️ WARNING (California Proposition 65): This vintage collectible item may contain chemicals, including lead or textile dyes, known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information, go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
