Recent content by Lamont Cranston

Seattle Summer Hat What about a vintage Stetson open road? I have several and wear them in the summer and on most days it is not too hot in Seattle, and you can find them around. Just be sure to find an old one that is not stiff. Stetson still makes them, but the new ones are cardboard. I...

Welcome Welcome to the Lounge.

It is the name I used to use for reservations or when they need to call your party from the bar when your table is ready. Lamont Cranston is "The Shadow" Originally in Dime novels and later on the Radio and Movies. Cranston traveled to the east where he acquired the ability to "cloud men's...

fez collecting I have a large Fez collection. I started it years ago. I only collect very old Fezs. The old style with no rinestones, They have silver or brass wire decoration mostly tarnished. I find a lot of them around, mostly new and often for fairly high prices. However: I have never...

taught to be cautious I am a Past Master of Queen Anne Lodge #242 in Seattle. By tradition in our Lodge the Worshipful Master wears a top hat. At one time all members wore tuxedos in Lodge, and on some occasions white tie and tails. Over time it has become less formal and only the officers...

The Sovereign I have a Stetson Temple hat, It is perhaps fifteen or twenty years old. The inside of the hat band is stamped "The Sovereign Stetson." I was told at the time of purchase that "Sovereign" was a quality of felt Like Deluxe, Royal Deluxe, Imperial and Premier. At one time these...

Bespoke vs Akubra I do not own an Akubra hat but I have handled them and I have tried them on. They are well designed, attractive and feel good to the touch. These are fine hats with a loyal fallowing. It is my understanding that they use wild rabbit fur as opposed to farmed fur and this...

Nice Hat Even in the hand held photographs the hat looks good. With that amount of beaver fur, it should feel good, hold up well, and resist shrinking. I really like the cavanagh style bound edge! Do you know, off hand, if he has any old school felt in other colors? Did he send you a felt...

Silly? yes! I like the part about the car. If You need to change your hairstyle shouldn't you also get a new car that you can wear your hat in when driving? LC

The Frank Capra film, Mr. Smith goes to Washington. Check out the hats on the press guys and the wasington politicos working for the Senator when Smith shows up in Washington for the first time. The clothes in the movie are fantastic in general.

Photos Fedoralover, did you take those pictures today? It was nice out but really cold to be out without any kind of jacket. LC

Byrnie utz Sure, why not?

Byrnie Utz I did not hear the NPR story, but there was an article in The Puget Sound Business Journal in December about the move. After that story was published I went into the store and asked if they were moving and they said "No". Perhaps it is because they were in negotiations at that...

Nice Hat! That is a really nice hat! What are the dimentions? Is it beaver fur felt? LC

Byrnie Utz. Another idea... Come up to Seattle and check out Byrnie Utz Hats at 310 Union Street. They have some old stock hats around, and they will tell you the truth about the quality of their hats. A great store, and almost unchanged since 1934. They have the original light fixtures...