Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Faux Pop's Real Hat.



As mentioned, I had two hats refurbished by Texas Hatters recently. I re-refurbished my dad's hat, and I had my own hat that Texas Hatters made for me in the mid-70s refurbished as well at the same time.

It's a little "fancier" in my book, and less desirable, than Dad's. Like so much in my life, I was trying to imitate the things about Harry C. Summer, Jr. I admired, and vainly perhaps trying to improve.

I view Harry's Hat as "Authentic", and P.M.'s hat as a "Replica".

I never understood my father's attitude (and fear/awe) of his own father, Harry Clifton Summer, Sr.

I'm getting closer to understanding.

Friday, February 09, 2007

On the moors of Dallas.



This hat is a great Anglo-American hybrid hat. It's made of genuine Harris Tweed fabric from Scotland, with a GoreTex liner from the U.S.A., and sold by that Yankee outfitter, L.L. Bean.

I don't wear it as often as I might for two reasons: Even with the GoreTex breathable membrane (or perhaps because of it), it tends to get a little too humid in milder weather (temperatures in the 50s, say), and although it's sized as a "large", it's a European large. Apparently, my head size is "giant" in Europe (actually XL, based on some other European hats I possess).

Today is a day for this hat. Slight mist, light wind, 38 degrees. Sure it's a little snug, but sic transit gloria.

Monday, February 05, 2007

The Real Pop's Hat



This is a genuine, 100X beaver, Stetson hat that belonged to my dad, Harry C. Summer (Jr.). He bought it in the late 1950's/early 60's. It was not cheap (these were Dad's "high-roller" days when he was a custom-home builder in Dallas). He wore this hat when he worked in the field and when he played in the field. By the mid-70's, it was horribly sweat stained. In about 1978, I took it to Manny Gammage's Texas Hatters in Austin and had them refurbish it. He wore it another fifteen hard years.

I took it to Texas Hatters again late last year (now in Lockhart) and had them refurbish it again... but for me this time. Interestingly, Dad and I have the same 7-5/8th hat size.

It's a treasure.