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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.
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.
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.
