NEW ORLEANS KEPI SOLD BY BEAUREGARD'S OWN HATTER

NEW ORLEANS KEPI SOLD BY BEAUREGARD'S OWN HATTER

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$6,500.00 ON HOLD

Quantity Available: 1

Item Code: 1273-138

J.J. Albert of New Orleans, Louisiana both imported and made hats from as early as 1846. A prolific retailer, he advertised in the New Orleans papers that besides offering sundries of all sorts he had for sale military regalia in particular headgear; and by 1861 it appears, due to the opening of the war, he concentrated on military items. His business address in 1861 was 33 Chartres Street aka the Corner of Chartres and Custom House Streets; by 1866 he removed to a different address. It would today be impossible to know if a cap was made by Albert himself or rather imported from France. When one studies General Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard's kepi at the Confederate Memorial Hall in New Orleans it is almost certain that his cap was made in France and imported by Albert. However, Albert did not specify this but embossed his gold bold logo reading: " J.J. ALBERT CORNER CHARTRES CUSTOM HOUSE STREETS NEW ORLEANS".

The fine blue/black broadcloth kepi we are offering dates as early as 1858 and no later than April of 1862. The crown rises to 2 1/2 inches in front and 5 inches in the rear. There are a few small moth nips and some slightly larger holes that have been backed to disguise them; the overall appearance is copacetic.  The front and sides of the cap have flat-fall black 1/8th inch high tape denoting the rank of Lieutenant. The cords or tape also run around the circumference of the cap at the junction of the baseband and the crown. Additionally, they form a quatrefoil pattern on the top of the 4 1/2-inch inset crown disc. This tape is non-metallic but made of a course tight woven blend of wool and possibly flax. It is all hand sewn into place. Black is of significance because Confederate Louisiana uniforms were often piped in black. The 9 button enlisted tunics made at the Louisiana State Penitentiary for general issue early in the war were black piped. T

The bound patent leather visor is 1 2/4 inches in depth and is 6 1/2 inches in length: it has no losses. The functioning 100% intact functioning Patent Leather chin strap with a small, stamped brass buckle is held in place by 2 Louisiana state seal "pelican feeding its young" buttons (LA 6 Alberts 15 mm) that are stamped on the back "EXTRA QUALITY". These are held firm by the original un-mercerized cotton thread. The interior of the cap has printed in the blackened waterproof top disc within the crown a sailing ship logo and gold letters stating: " J.J. ALBERT CORNER CHARTRES CUSTOM HOUSE STREETS NEW ORLEANS"; the exact location and identical logo found in Beauregard's kepi. This logo is worn in spots but 85% intact and readable. The interior crown has a pure silk bag adjustable lining with a green and tan calico-like pattern; this is 80% intact. The black 1 3/4-inch-high sweat band is 99% intact and hand whip-stitched into place.

This is a great looking pre-war or Confederate Louisiana kepi.  [pe][ph:L]

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