Persian Hat
Finally I found a Persian Lamb fur hat for me!
I can't tell you how long I've been looking for a fitted black lamb hat for our Canadian winters.
Ever since I saw Yul Brenner in The Brothers Karamazov I had to have one. Maybe I look ridiculous by contemporary standards in this kinda gear - but I don't care.
How it happened: took a chance on pressing the buzzer of a local furrier. After a few seconds the front door unlocked and I stepped in. I understand why the furrier feels the need to buzz people in as the store is in a neighbourhood with extremists likely to spit on, or spraypaint furs on sight.
With my fetish winter hat in hand, I ask "how much?" The older owner guy looked at the hat in my hand for a moment or two.
Owner: For that...fifty-five.
Bill: Sold. [I don't know what my upper limit on the hat would've been].
I handed the guy three twenties from my money clip. He whips this monster wad of cash out of his pocket and it consumes my twenties.
Owner: How much back?
Bill: Five.
The owner slides a five out of the middle and I take it.
Bill: Thanks.
posted by Bill Pocock at 12:20:00 p.m.
13 Comments:
Good find. Can´t wait to see it.
You know, The Brothers Karamazov with Yul Brenner also stars a young Bill Shatner as Alexei Karamazov.
DJ
Don't get me started on Shatner. The UnMentionable One.
I don't want this to become the Bill Shatner blog.
Somebody talk me down real slow!!!
On the edge....
William Shatner was a trained shakespearian actor.
Not many people know that.
Of course, there will be nothing to stop concerned agitators from throwing paint on you and that hat when you are spotted on Queen Street this winter.
Good luck!
Shane
Yes, douglas, Shatner acted in a number of Stratford, Ontario Shakespeare productions in the beginning of his career. A fine actor with a wide range.
Shane, thank you for inspiring my upcoming next blog post, "Country Style". Also, my understanding of the manufacture of the Persian Hat has changed as a result of research I've done because of your words.
If interested, read the explanation of 'shearling' on PETA's webpage...
http://www.peta.org/mc/
factsheet_display.asp?ID=55
Factory Farming is inhumane in my opinion. I have witnessed the difference in quality of animal life in both a free range and factory farms in my youth.
That said, I'll still wear the Persian Hat now that I've bought it (all sales final) just as I continue to eat the occasional lamb curry. I was a pure vegetarian from age 15 to about 22. Now I'm mostly vegetarian, but I'm no angel.
Finally, if any agitators see fit to spit or paint me, I'd probably go berserk. There should at least be four of them to have a chance.
I love the idea of the hat you would die for simultaneously making you a pariah! I have visions of you being chased around Toronto like the Hunchback of Notre Dame - "I'm not an animal!!!!" (sorry, mixing movies). Driven mad beyond sense by your love of the PERSIAN HAT!!!
How about using it as a begging bowl to assist the ending of animal exploitation?
Then, give the proceeds to homeless bums so they can buy the alcohol they deserve.
Shane
That's a good one, Shane.
I do consider speciesism ("assigning different values or rights to beings on the basis of their species membership" - Wiki) akin to racism and something humans seriously need to come to grips with. I'm part of the problem. Better to hunt animals in the wild where they have a lived a life of freedom and a chance of escape than the nightmare of factory farming. And give thanks to the spirit of the animal for providing you with food to survive. 'Life eats life' and all that stuff.
I think we humans have been way too successful as a species and no longer feel a dependent relation with other animals or our fellow human beings.
So, my idea is to take the homeless drunks out into the country and hunt them (with a head start, of course). The most skillful and evasive drunks will survive (maybe even kill a hunter or two) and give the licensing proceeds to PETA (people for the ethical treatment of animals). Maybe some enlightened drunk will spiritually lead the human species from our dark and evil ways after we've culled our own herd. Let's manage our own species like we reasonably do with other wild animals.
Any other ideas?
Bill:
I have a couple of genuine RCMP buffalo coats that my dad got from the local detachment when they phased them out in the early sixties. Who knows when the original animal was killed. Buffalo, until about 30 years ago were basically extinct out here on the prairies. Are the PETA types still worried about a pelt that is at least 50 years old?
I don't wear the buffalo very often. It has to be at leazt -30 or you roast. I am always on the lookout for some activist to confront me when I am walking downtown but I have never heard a peep. Perhaps, the sight of me in that coat scares the hell out of them. I look like a bear all bundled up in the coat. Perhaps the only thing I would expect out of a PETA type if I ever did see one is "Eep!"
Derek
You must be an awesome sight in one of those buffalo coats, Derek. Your dad was really thinking.
I did try to find the Persian Hat at all the hipster vintage shots, but they were mostly too small as contemporary sizes (me?) tend to be larger. Yeah, I doubt extreme animal rights activists wouldn't take the time to politely ask before the insult of paint.
I guess the argument could be made that the presence of any fur (even from the Secondary Market) on the street creates potential demand in the Primary fur market. That would mean new deaths of furry animals.
What about leather or meat products? I don't hear about the extremists (Vegan, I trust) tossing paint on kids sneakers or people eating hamburgers. I think it's a class thing. Working-class intellectual rage against the rich. Fur coats are associated with wealth (or badboys like you, D), in my opinion.
Fur, or wool coats, were once the only way to stay warm outside in the winter. People forget that we had to have whatever local fur - beaver, wolf, bear, seal, or buffalo coats and blankets - especially when traveling in winter.
Mainstream thought, until very recently, accepted all forms of animal capture (leg-hold trap) and kill (club). Heck, throw a stick and you could hit 6 people wearing fur (with practice).
You're right not to wear one of the buffalo coats too much. I think they would lose some power if you did. Giver and taker of life.
ZARDOZ!!!
How much does a Buffalo coat weigh?!! It must be like wearing chain mail...
Rob:
The buffalo coat is very heavy. Probably 20 pounds. The pelt is very thick and the coat is also lined. Therefore it looks and is very bulky. The fur is very long and curly, so it's rather puffy looking. The result is a barrel/bear walking down the street. :-)
Bill:
The argument from the PETA types goes something like this: Yes, we realise that people once wore fur because they had no choice but with the modern fabulous synthetics we have, there is simply no longer a need to wear fur... etc, etc... (Affected language imitative.)
Derek
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