Standard Oil didn't sue random competitors — they sued the ones close enough to worry about. Red Hat Motor Oil & Gasoline drew a lawsuit from the makers of Red Crown, who considered the name and mark too similar to their own. That legal fight is a big part of why genuine Red Hat pieces are as scarce as they are today.
Printed on a soft, broken-in cotton twill cap with deliberate distressing built in from day one. Unstructured, low-profile construction with a curved visor, self-fabric hideaway strap, and metal D-ring for an adjustable fit. Each hat carries slight natural variation in distress and color, so no two wear in exactly the same way. Spot clean with warm water and dish soap; a soft-bristled brush handles the stubborn spots.
Whatever the courtroom outcome, Red Hat material never circulated in the volume that Red Crown did — collectors today treat any surviving Red Hat piece as a genuine find rather than a routine one.
The perfect gift for petroliana collectors who chase genuinely rare brands, classic car enthusiasts, garage and man-cave decorators, and gas station history buffs who like a good trademark-fight story.
The Faded Label Co. — keeping the golden age of American roadside art alive, one product at a time.
