'47 (brand)

'47

Formerly	Twins Enterprises, '47 Brand
Company type	Private
Industry	Apparel
Founded	Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. (1947 (1947))
Founders	Henry and Arthur D'Angelo
Headquarters	Westwood, Massachusetts
Key people	Dominic Farrell (president)
Products	Sports licensing, headwear, apparel
Parent	New Era Cap Company
Website	www.47brand.com

47 is a U.S.-based lifestyle label that integrates elements of sports, fashion, and culture. It specializes in licensed headwear, apparel, and accessories designed for men, women, and children. Since August 2024, it has operated under the ownership of New Era Cap Company.

Founders

The company was established by Italian immigrant siblings Arthur and Henry D'Angelo, who arrived in the United States in 1938. Their initial venture involved selling baseball pennants close to Fenway Park, the home stadium of the Boston Red Sox. The business took a significant step forward in 1947 when they purchased a street cart—an event that inspired the brand name '47, reflecting its founding year.

The D'Angelos are credited with being trailblazers in the contemporary sports licensing sector. They cultivated enduring relationships with the Red Sox organization as well as iconic players such as Ted Williams and Carl Yastrzemski. Over time, Arthur's sons—Robert, Mark, David, and Steven—became part of the enterprise. Henry passed away in 1987.

In recognition of Arthur's contributions, a street near Fenway Park was named Arthur's Way in 2013. Additionally, the D'Angelo family and '47 collectively contributed upwards of $1.4 million to The One Fund to support those affected by the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, raising funds through sales of B Strong-branded caps and t-shirts in collaboration with the Red Sox.

Arthur D'Angelo died on February 29, 2024. The Boston Globe acknowledged him as an influential figure in Fenway Park memorabilia and sports apparel.

History

In 1965, the D'Angelo brothers secured a retail location on Yawkey Way dedicated to selling Red Sox merchandise. Today, the company manages the Red Sox Team Store situated at 19 Jersey Street, adjacent to Fenway Park. On game days, this store caters to ticket holders before, during, and after events while remaining open daily throughout the year. The corporate headquarters is based in Westwood, Massachusetts, supported by a warehouse facility located in Brockton, Massachusetts.

Initially operating under the name Twins Enterprise, the company rebranded as '47 Brand in 2010 before streamlining its identity to simply '47 in 2015; however, earlier names are still occasionally referenced. The brand launched its first physical retail outlet on Boston's Newbury Street in 2011; this location ceased operations in 2020.

In 2012, '47 broadened its product line to include official headwear for National Football League (NFL) fans. A notable collaboration followed in 2018 with workwear manufacturer Carhartt, resulting in a co-branded NFL headwear collection.

Throughout its evolution, '47 has expanded its sports licensing agreements significantly: it became an official partner for four teams within the Cape Cod Baseball League in 2014; secured deals with both the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) and Major League Soccer (MLS) in 2015; and obtained rights for Major League Baseball (MLB) postseason caps along with international merchandise licensing during that same year.

October 2015 marked '47’s entrance into global markets via a partnership with Liverpool Football Club, representing a strategic expansion beyond its traditional U.S.-centric sports focus.

Between 2016 and 2020, '47 secured exclusive collegiate headwear licenses with programs such as the Georgia Bulldogs, Cal State, and the Ohio State Buckeyes.

In 2017, the brand extended its NBA licensing portfolio to include adult apparel and headwear featuring team logos across various demographics. This expansion also encompassed merchandise for NBA All-Star games as well as Playoffs and Finals events.

Dominic Farrell joined '47 as chief operating officer in 2021 and was promoted to president by 2023—becoming the first individual outside the founding family to hold this leadership role.

On June 23, 2023, '47 debuted a pop-up retail location at 19 Air Street in London coinciding with the MLB London Series. This initiative highlighted the brand’s American roots to an international audience.

Also in 2023, '47 entered the U.S. motorsports arena through a partnership with NASCAR, launching premium products tailored specifically for NASCAR enthusiasts. Farrell described this venture as an ideal alignment between brand heritage and market demand.

In June 2024, '47 announced its acquisition by New Era Cap Company, a transaction finalized by August of that year—signifying a pivotal milestone for its corporate growth and strategic direction.

External links

• 19jerseystreet.com