Introduction and a question about a British Bowler that I have.

[Doc Mark]

Greetings, Gentlemen, and Ladies,

Well, I have finally struck informational paydirt, with thanks for a Mate of mine in Scotland!! I put out the word on a stove-collecting site, of which I've been a member since before electricity was invented (OK, maybe not THAT long!), and today I got a great response. Here's what I have learned:

"Hi Doc,

Through the wonders of Ancestry.co.uk, the 1929 telephone directory does indeed list a W D. Craig, hatter, 85 Main Street, Coatbridge.

Coatbridge is in the central belt of Scotland a few miles east of Glasgow.

Best regards

John"

So, there we have it, Folks. Looks like I wasn't too far off in my date estimation, but now that I have a firm bit of into on Hatter Craig, I'll try to narrow that down a bit, to see when he opened his business, and when it was closed. MAN, it's nice to see this come to fruition!! Can you tell I'm stoked.... just a bit! : ) More info, as I find it, and until then, it's wonderful to have a few friends in different parts of this old Mortal Coil! Take care, and God Bless!

Every Good Wish,
Doc

[Doc Mark]

Hi, All,

More information just came in from my friend in Scotland, which helps to know when this Hatter was in business. Here's what my friend, John, sent:

"I've had a slightly deeper look at the telephone directory search on Ancestry.co.uk and W D Craig appears as a hatter and hosier at 85 Main Street, Coatbridge from 1926 to 1939."

I'll keep checking, but if Mr. Craig went out of business in 1939, which, with the war pending, may well have happened, that will really establish a nice date range for my Craig Bowler. I love getting info such as this. Take care, and God Bless!

Every Good Wish,
Doc

[dhermann1]

Doc, you're gonna be happy as a pig in bleep here. Welcome. This is a super primo example of why the Fedora Lounge is so cool. Thanks for this fascinating thread.

[Doc Mark]

Greetings, dhermann1,

Thank you, very much, Sir! Much appreciated, and I thank everyone here who digs around and turns up these gems of information. I will keep looking around, but done for today. Still, I want to find out about Mr. Craig, and his shop, and have sent an email to the little shops, which sells baby and kids clothes, that now inhabits Mr. Craig's original location. We'll see if that bears any fruit at all. Thanks, again, for the warm welcome, and for being a part of this interesting site! Great stuff! Take care, and God bless!

Every Good Wish,
Doc

[Doc Mark]

Greetings, All,

Thought I'd share a few photos that I took yesterday, in honor of a British Railroad pioneer, Bernard Holden, who passed away recent at the ripe old age of 104 years! He did more in his life than most of us could ever imagine. Here's a link for those that might be interested in reading just a bit of what this wonderful Gentleman accomplished in his long and distinguished life:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obit...rd-Holden.html

And, my photos in memory of him, which I call, "Just enough time to make the train.....!"





I'm wearing my very dark blue, double-breasted, pinstripe suit, complete with bow tie, the British Bowler I've shared with you all, eyeglasses I wore all through high school, which date to the 1920-1930 time period, and checking the time on my 1908 Ball Official Standard Railroad pocket watch, which was made the year Bernard Holden was born. It still keeps very good time, which is amazing for a watch that is now 104 years old! Please note that my old eyeglass were worn back before the time I..... ahem.... needed bifocals!! May God Bless Bernard Holden, and all the wonderful and intrepid men and women like him!! Seems, sadly, that we have far fewer of that stellar type of human being around, these days. Rest in peace, Sir, you have more than earned it.

Once my old Bowler has been cleaned and had it's ribbons either replaced, or refurbished, hopefully by Art Fawcett, I will wear it with this suit, and another charcoal suit that I own, with pride! Thanks for giving this a look. Take care, and God Bless!

Every Good Wish,
Doc

[mayserwegener]

Looks great! I would make sure you find the correct vintage ribbon type (could be difficult) for replacement (also difficult to replicate original workmanship).