Anyone ever heard of a c1895 "Plug Hat"?...I saw this crumpled hat sell for $1200
 

<img src="http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc120/CarltonHendricks/CarltonHendricks092/Plug%20Hat%20Runner_zps4sy3jko0.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo Plug Hat Runner_zps4sy3jko0.jpg"/>

<img src="http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc120/CarltonHendricks/CarltonHendricks092/Top%20Cropped2_zpseholed83.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo Top Cropped2_zpseholed83.jpg"/>

http://sportsantiques.com/c1890_uc_b...y_plug_hat.htm
Anyone ever heard of a "Plug Hat"?...you can read about it in the feature I did linked above...

No clue but it looks like a great piece vintage memorabilia almost turned folk art .....Love it...whatever it is.

Carlton...That was clearly THE winner of the coolest piece at Saturday's show.... As 19th century folk art and related to U.C. Berkeley's first Big Game victory, it was a win-win. The condition could have been better, but a piece like that is so rare, it doesn't matter. I've referred the proud new owner to a textile conservator where, hopefully it can be stabilized.....Mark

As always, great research and story, Carlton! Could you tell what was between 22-0 and DE-BAIT? It looks like a sticker or label of some sort.

Carlton, I thought you came up with some pretty good stuff at th NSCC but "Plug Hats" and "Tea Infusers " ? I can hardly wait to see what you come up with next.

The owner of this hat was likely in a frat...you might be able to trace it back to the owner by looking through the yearbooks...to photo id something like this would be tremendous. The yearbooks are likely on digital archive.