http://s1248.photobucket.com/user/mikespens/media/BSHW/DSCF1184_zpslq6ku26c.jpg.htmlBeen a bit tardy posting these. Had a typically great visit with Bob & Garrett a few weeks back and brought these projects home with me.
This JC Penney's Hopaka was a bit small and the original sweat was dry rotted enough to endure a stretch so Bob added one of his natural vented sweats for me. I love these sweats and Bob has managed to make each of mine unique with a different vent pattern each time. I was only able to find a bit of info about the Penney's Hopaka, it was the bottom of the line in their straw hat lineup and Hopaka is basically woven burlap. I saw adds from 1942 and 1952 for it and it's 1952 price was $1.95. I believe Hopaka was superceded by Dynel which was basically woven fiberglass w/o the epoxy. Still looking for a Dynel in my size. Despite the "cheap straw" stigma of the Hopaka, this has quickly become my favorite "straw". It's tough and breathes better than any of my panamas or milans. The day after I picked this up I wore it as my only hat on a Las Vegas vacation. It survived the rough airline routine on my head/lap/anywhere I could find to stick it and helped me endure the high 90's and eventually 100 degree temps while in Vegas. All original except the new sweat.
[URL='http://s1248.photobucket.com/user/mikespens/media/BSHW/DSCF1201_zpsqetofpqc.jpg.html']
[/URL]
Nice to see the work of an artisan.I wanted to give a shout-out to Bob for some masterful refurb work. I picked up this 30s Stetson Feather Weight Nutria Quality Stetsonian some time ago, despite the fact that the unreeded sweatband desperately needed to be resown. I wore it nonetheless, until the day that the final thread gave on the band. I talked to Bob about the chances for repair, and he said I should send it on to him; he would do what he could. And what could he do? The man hand-stitched the original sweatband back in using the original stitching holes:
Bob is so wonderful to work with; he's always friendly and patient, and even while running a booming bespoke hat business, he finds the time to act as a conservator on our vintage treasures. What a true artisan!
A
