Red Hat and Royal 400 were rare enough that most collectors have never held a piece in person — and that scarcity has a reason behind it. Standard Oil, makers of Red Crown, sued to stop Red Hat from using a name and mark they considered too close to their own trademark. Whatever the outcome, Red Hat material stayed thin on the ground ever after.
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.
Royal 400 was the independent motor oil sold alongside Red Hat gasoline — a small operator's answer to the majors, caught in the crossfire of a trademark fight bigger companies didn't have to worry about. Surviving signage from this brand ranks among the harder finds in the whole petroliana category.
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.
