What Hat Are You Wearing Today 1?

[alanfgag]

Add one more l'chaim to the handsome couple.

Many more,
Alan

 

[zetwal]

Looks a bit stingy, Zetwal. Is that just a camera trick?

It's 2 1/4 ...

 

[Jedwbpm]

Well its been a time. Saturday I and my family got caught in the tornado's in North Carolina while driving from Ct to Myrtle Beach for the week. Spent an Hour in the basement of a CITCO station in Wilson NC. Watched a twister go right by. Now we are in sunny Myrtle Beach and enjoying the sun.
Sunday on the beach with my DeMonico's Hattters house brand Panama

Sunday night dinner the sun was in my Wife's eyes to I loaned her my Royal Deluxe Open Road

G&T at a beach side bar today.

So since non of us got hurt its been worth the trip.

Jeff

 

[delectans]

Lovely pictures. Glad you and your wife are safe and sound and had a great trip.

 

[delectans]

Rite Of Spring

Every April for the past decade or so, we have made the trek down to Chicago for the Antiques & Garden Fair at the Botanic Garden, one of the finest of its kind in the world.

Being two plant-hardiness-zones away from us in Minnesota, we are usually greeted by great weather and plentiful early blooms, but this year we encountered blustery and wet conditions and a hesitant blossom.

**My sincere apologies to Jeff for posting so many photos on the heels of his wonderful set, but alas I worked on my photos all night and did not want to be timed out by waiting too long, as has happened to me before. Sorry, Jeff! :yo:




The centerpiece of the fair: Camelia and urns in the central courtyard. Mallory Twelve-Fifty, Snow.



Note the position of my wind-trolley. The fierce winds and rain forced me to bring my hat into the fair in a plastic bag.



A magnificent pair of American cast-iron urns from the Kramer Bros. Foundry of Dayton, Ohio. The 'Monarch '. Its American Bison motif is both unique and extraordinary.



A better perspective of the monumental size of the urns. We had never previously seen this fabled and rare Kramer Bros. design, and they were truly spectacular to behold.



Most of the booths were thoughtfully and beautifully staged.



Another beautiful pair of urns.



Outstanding pair of 19th century, carved sandstone griffins which once sat atop the parapet, or flanked the main entrance of a villa from Pistoia, Italy.



The quality and detail of the carving is still very much in evidence despite the weathered surface.



The majestic griffins in front of a wonderful, early 19th century French Trumeau mirror.

 

[delectans]

Splendid pair of 19th century exterior zinc figures from a French theater.



Looking through the ocular of the Porter Garden Telescope, an amazing synthesis of art and science.



A lovely orb of sand-cast bronze, impeccably finished. The original Porter Garden Telescope was a marvel of American ingenuity, and this re-engineered version is astonishing in its level of sophistication and refinement. We were deeply impressed.



Weather only waterfowl would enjoy. Trumpeter Swan at the Botanic Garden Lake, adjacent to the terrace.

 

[delectans]

At an antiques show in Chicago the next day. The Beaux-Arts Plumbers Union Hall, where politicians and the labor movement historically held their meetings.



Detail of mural in the grand staircase leading to the balcony.



Not a single nice hat to be seen at the show, but I did find this, a salesman's catalog of mens fashion from 1921.


















We returned to the Botanic Garden to pick-up our purchases before heading back to Minnesota. Foxgloves in bloom.

 

[alanfgag]

Wonderful shots! The Porter Garden Telescope repro is a nice (though hugely expensive) revival. We have one of the remaining originals at the Buffalo Museum of Science.

Cheers,
Alan

 

[DRB]

AL: I truly enjoyed those photos. You should frame #4 and #7. Of course the swan was nice too. A very entertaining set of photographs.

Both you and Allen have some nice out and about photos. I am starting to feel like a homebody.

 

[hatophile]

Fed IV on this cold, wet, yucky day. Where is Spring?

 

[hatophile]

Great pics, Al, looks nice and sunny there.

Jeff, glad you got some decent weather, enjoy it while you can. The panama and OR are great choices for the beach.

Perry

 

[delectans]

You look warm and ready for the elements, Perry!

Spring is a myth...:smow:

 

[zetwal]

Spring is a myth...:smow:

I know what you mean (from another angle). We go straight to summer here!

 

[Mario]

You look warm and ready for the elements, Perry!

Spring is a myth...:smow:

No. It's right here in all its warmth and glory!

 

[delectans]

Alan: Thanks! The Porter revival is indeed quite dear, but it is an indulgence, an unabashed testament to what can be achieved when art and science are melded together seamlessly.


Dennis: Thank you for your kind words, I appreciate them very much!


Perry: Thanks! Unfortunately, the Sun only made its appearance on the last day of our trip, and it was still quite windy.

 

[Edward]

Today I'm in my 'natural' colour Akubra Capricorn. I bought this last Summer, though I had to wait until the season was over for it to arrive as I also ordered one of the grey ones. They've both had a lot of wear over the past few weeks since the weather suddenly turned warm here in London. Nice to have something that "feels" a bit more like a Fedora than the typical straw.

 

[hatophile]

No. It's right here in all its warmth and glory!

Must be nice, Mario.

 

[zetwal]

Today, an Open Road.

 

[bolthead]

I know what you mean (from another angle). We go straight to summer here!

same here, from winter to summer to fall.

 

[hatophile]

Today, an Open Road.

Sweet!