Just because: hats, Hats, HATS!

Mitch LaRue · Post by **Mitch LaRue** » Mon May 17, 2010 11:58 am

Hi everyone,
A month or so ago I took several pictures of the current state of my Fedora Collection and thought I'd share them here with you (as always, questions or comments are welcome and greatly appreciated!)

My collection is, I know, far from being as big and impressive as those of some Members here at C.O.W. ... nor does it have a level of variety that some prefer in their collections... after all, it IS just 6 Hats.

But I love these lids, each one has it's own character and flair... and while I realize many different photos of these individual hats have already been posted by other Members who may own the same kind of hat made by the same Maker, it's also obvious that they're scattered across many different Threads.
I wanted to post some photos that showed all of these hats in the same shots so that those who were interested in taking a look at them could see all the many subtle differences between each one that makes them so distinctive from one another.

As I've begun to assemble these shots for this thread, I've begun to think about the newer Members.. I'm hoping they find these photos really helpful... I know I wish I'd seen some shots like this when I was first trying to decide which hats suited MY desired style requirements.

But to be honest, the original point of these photos wasn't necessarily to draw contrast between certain hats... I'm certainly not trying to say "look at how much better THIS hat is rather than THAT hat" (quite the contrary; if there was any one hat in these pictures that I DIDN'T want, it wouldn't be in the photo... I woulda sold it by now)

Rather, I wanted to share these shots because I just love how each one has it's own distinct characteristics while at the same time remaining unmistakably "Indy" in style, shape and design.

So, they're not really being presented here to rally any sort of debate..,
They're just being posted because I like my hats -and wanted to share these photos with you all -and offer up some visual information -and... well... just because.

Hope you like 'em!
Mitch

These first two shots show (from Left to Right)
Top Row: The Magnoli Herbert Johnson, The Garrison Hatters "Raider" & The Penman Distressed Raiders Rabbit
Bottom Row: The Akubra Fed IV, The Adventurebilt Deluxe & The Fedoraiders "Streets of Cairo" Herbert Johnson

For this next shot it's:
Left side, Top to Bottom: The Penman Distressed Raiders Rabbit, The Garrison Hatters "Raider" & The Magnoli Herbert Johnson
Right side, Top to Bottom: The Fedoraiders "Streets of Cairo" Herbert Johnson, The Adventurebilt Deluxe & The Akubra Fed IV

For this last shot it's:
Left side, Left to Right: The Magnoli Herbert Johnson, The Garrison Hatters "Raider" & The Penman Distressed Raiders Rabbit (It's only fair for me to add: The flash is playing a little trick here in this shot: The Penman does NOT look as "powdery" in person - to the naked eye - as the flash for this shot makes it look)
Right side, Left to Right: The Akubra Fed IV, The Adventurebilt Deluxe & The Fedoraiders "Streets of Cairo" Herbert Johnson

For anyone interested in seeing each hat individually, here's some links:

The Magnoli Herbert Johnson
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e38/M ... 5069-1.jpg

The Garrison Hatters "Raider"
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e38/M ... 5070-1.jpg

The Penman Distressed Raiders Rabbit
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e38/M ... 5071-1.jpg

The Akubra Fed IV
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e38/M ... 5079-1.jpg

The Adventurebilt Deluxe
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e38/M ... 5080-1.jpg

The Fedoraiders "Streets of Cairo" Herbert Johnson
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e38/M ... 5081-1.jpg

One final note:
I also own a gorgeous Penman Grey Seaplane... it was only after I took these photos that I realized it was missing from these shots, but I hope John Penman will forgive the omission given where the hat was during the whole shoot: On top of my head (D'oh!)...
But I suppose there's no higher compliment than THAT is there?

Cheers,
Mitch

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Mon May 17, 2010 12:22 pm

Nice comparison! Well done!

Buchanan Bob · Post by **Buchanan Bob** » Mon May 17, 2010 12:50 pm

That's a beautiful collection, Mitch. Great shots.
Bob

whipcracker · Post by **whipcracker** » Mon May 17, 2010 2:37 pm

Mitch,that is one heck of a collection!! They all have something special too them, like you could re-shoot ROLA with just that bunch.

Is the ribbon on your Fed IV original or do you swap it out. It looks darker than other pics of Feds I've seen.

Canyon · Post by **Canyon** » Mon May 17, 2010 2:48 pm

Mitch, absolutely gorgeous hats!

I can't quite decide which ones I like the best because they are all beautiful lids.

Ian · Post by **Ian** » Mon May 17, 2010 3:30 pm

Dude!!! Fantastic set of lids!!! Must say the Akubra is awesome, mine looks no where near that good. Well done on the bash. I remember admiring it when you had it in your avatar.

I love the distressed ones, in particular the Penman (guess I biased), but they all look perfect. I reeeeally like the reverse slope at the back of the Fedoraiders and the Penman.

Must take you hours to decide on which one to wear.

Which is your 'to go'lid?

Ian

Local Land Surveyor · Post by **Local Land Surveyor** » Mon May 17, 2010 4:13 pm

Hey Mitch,
Great collection you got there. My how times have changed. When I first started lurking on this site, there were many hats to choose from. The problem was "the look". Now, there are plenty to choose from to get a great Raiders look. Your pics show that. Looks like the dressing room for Raiders. This is due solely from the input of true fans. "Close enough" to "which scene is that bash". "Fantastic, marvelous, unreal"....... to put it Mitch like.

LLS

Texan Scott · Post by **Texan Scott** » Mon May 17, 2010 4:19 pm

Mitch, I don't know what it is about these hats. At first, it is a mild mannered dress hat, with not a hint of aggression, yet you throw some dirt on them, and they become adventuring beasts! Like the mask, it forces you go on a no holds barred adventure even if you never planned one in the first place.

fedoraiders · Post by **fedoraiders** » Mon May 17, 2010 5:19 pm

Wow Mitch!

Good idea to share this.

I'm impress by your collection.

Very nice hats.

Jason

Chewbacca Jones · Post by **Chewbacca Jones** » Mon May 17, 2010 5:55 pm

You really need a gray hat.

Seriously, though - nice collection. It must be hard to choose your hat each day.

Mitch LaRue · Post by **Mitch LaRue** » Mon May 17, 2010 5:59 pm

Thanks everyone for posting your reactions and thoughts on these shots... I'm glad you all seem to like what you're seeing.
All credit goes to these wonderful Wizards of Hatmaking!
As I hope I've implied clearly, each one is - to my eyes, at least - a prize I greatly value!

Rick, Bob, Canyon, Jason, Chewie:
Thank you for those kind words, they're much appreciated!

whipcracker wrote:Is the ribbon on your Fed IV original or do you swap it out. It looks darker than other pics of Feds I've seen.

whipcracker, I wish I could answer that... but I can't.
The previous owner of that particular hat DID once mentioning "removing the ribbon" to work on an overall re-working of the hat and later "replacing the ribbon"... but I'm not sure if he meant he was replacing the ORIGINAl ribbon or replacing IT with a new one... Sorry.

Ian wrote:Which is your 'to go' lid?

Hmmm... that's gonna be a wishy-washy answer:
LATELY it's exclusively been my Penman Distressed Raiders Rabbit... but that's largely because I recently realized I hadn't been giving nearly the regular beating it deserves (I say "deserves" because it can TAKE it! John's hats really ARE "bulldog tough!")...
But other than the last month being exclusively "Penman driven" I do try my best to always reach for whatever hat I didn't wear the day before so that they all get some attention...
Also, since I currently own 7 hats (and since there's 7 days in the week) they all stay in rotation pretty easily (but that sure as heck doesn't mean I ain't lookin forward to getting my Adventurebilt Beaver from Steve Delk!)

Local Land Surveyor wrote:Looks like the dressing room for Raiders.

Wow... That's VERY flattering (coming from a guy with eyes as sharp as yours), David... Thank you.

Local Land Surveyor wrote:"Fantastic, marvelous, unreal"....... to put it Mitch like.

Awwww... DARN!
Really, David?
I worked THAT hard to start this Thread off with NO use of bold, underlined OR italicized words (trying to turn over a new leaf) and you throw THAT in my face?
MAN! Really UNbelievable!

Texan Scott wrote:At first, it is a mild mannered dress hat, with not a hint of aggression, yet you throw some dirt on them, and they become adventuring beasts! Like the mask, it forces you go on a no holds barred adventure even if you never planned one in the first place.

Scott... I think you may have become far more - dare I say it? - POETIC since we last spoke...
Very deep, my friend... very creative.

In all seriousness though, everyone...
Thank you so much for your comments... I'm really glad you all seemed to enjoy this!

BendingOak · Post by **BendingOak** » Mon May 17, 2010 6:22 pm

You have so many good Raiders hats in your collection you should always be SA ready no matter what adventure you go though.

crismans · Post by **crismans** » Mon May 17, 2010 6:53 pm

Terrific collection, Mitch, and nicely done on the comparison work. If they start refilming Raiders (perish the thought), then you're the guy they're going to come to!

Swiftfoot · Post by **Swiftfoot** » Mon May 17, 2010 6:55 pm

Very nice collection Mitch. A big

to you for posting them all together as I'm trying to decide on my first hat now and you give a nice visual representation.

Cheers!

jnicktem · Post by **jnicktem** » Mon May 17, 2010 7:14 pm

That's a very nice collection you got going on there Mitch! I guess I better round up all of my hats and take some group shots too! I will as soon as I receive my Penman Raiders and AB Deluxe!

Weston · Post by **Weston** » Mon May 17, 2010 7:22 pm

Great collection there Mitch! Although, I must say, your collection is a little "off". I think your Magnoli HJ is throwing off the equilibrium of an otherwise perfectly balanced collection. Go ahead and send it to me for immediate disposal.

I'm only here to help!

Weston

Indy35 · Post by **Indy35** » Mon May 17, 2010 7:31 pm

This is a perfect example of why it can be soooooo hard to ask which hats the best. All of those hats, from the "cheapest" to the most expensive look great. And as mentioned above, its all due to the dedication of a handful of diehard gearheads.

Mitch, they look great, but i've got one question...how do you rotate them? Or are they task specific, like ones a chore hat, ones a rain hat, ones a dress hat, etc...

DR Ulloa · Post by **DR Ulloa** » Mon May 17, 2010 7:44 pm

Fox, fantastic collection of hats, there. Really shows each one off nicely. My fav...the Penman!

Dave

Tremolo · Post by **Tremolo** » Mon May 17, 2010 7:53 pm

What a wonderful collection Mitch! It´s great to see how these fantastic looking hats look side by side. I really like the look of your Garrison, but all look great so that doesn´t really matter.

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Mon May 17, 2010 8:18 pm

BendingOak wrote:You have so many good Raiders hats in your collection you should always be SA ready no matter what adventure you go though.

No doubt! Its like you could have a hat for every scene!

gwyddion · Post by **gwyddion** » Mon May 17, 2010 8:55 pm

Now that's a fine set of fedoras if there ever was one. Great collection Mitch

Too bad I have a bigger head than you have, otherwise I'd pop over and, ahem, lend one or two

Regards, Geert

Bogie1943 · Post by **Bogie1943** » Mon May 17, 2010 9:04 pm

Wow, impressive most impressive sir. I am forever jealous of your collection. I'm starting to get that old feeling that one Indy lid is not enough $\:D/$

Indiana Bugs · Post by **Indiana Bugs** » Mon May 17, 2010 9:10 pm

Great collection. As I was looking at the pictures, I was fantasizing about being able to try them all on to see which one would be THE one that looked best on me. However, knowing me, I'd not be able to decide and subsequently turn into a quivering, blubbering mass of indecisive jelly, babbling about how great all the hats looked, but wanting to know which one looked best on me, but not being able to.

bigrex · Post by **bigrex** » Tue May 18, 2010 1:21 am

Excellent collection sir. Nice to see them all laid out together, it's good to be able to study them side by side (and with similar bashes)! I think I have a couple favorites, but will keep it to myself.

Noah · Post by **Noah** » Tue May 18, 2010 1:33 am

Fantastic collection of hats Mitch! Good comparison pictures. They all look great! I'm jealous. I really want my Penman

Post by **Indiana Jeff** » Tue May 18, 2010 3:07 am

What's the deal - not a leather hat in the bunch?!

Did you do the distressing to the FedIV? Looks great.

Regards,

Indiana Jeff

Kredepops · Post by **Kredepops** » Tue May 18, 2010 3:52 am

Very very nice collection Mitch!! You're a lucky man with so many great hats. Thanks for showing us

IndianaSean · Post by **IndianaSean** » Tue May 18, 2010 12:03 pm

Mitch - Very nice!!

Now you need to put together a collection of travel hats and you will be set!!

Sean

gwyddion · Post by **gwyddion** » Tue May 18, 2010 2:13 pm

...or maybe a collection of hats from the other movies

Sorry Fox if your wallet heard that and bursted into tears

Regards, Geert

BendingOak · Post by **BendingOak** » Tue May 18, 2010 4:12 pm

IndianaSean wrote:Mitch - Very nice!! Now you need to put together a collection of travel hats and you will be set!!

Sean

I know he has at least one to start off with.

Arch Stanton · Post by **Arch Stanton** » Tue May 18, 2010 5:03 pm

That is so cool. Will you marry me? lol

If I had that many beautiful hats then I probably wouldn't get anything done. I'd spend all day trying to decide which one to wear.

mcmanm · Post by **mcmanm** » Tue May 18, 2010 5:10 pm

Man, I really like that Penman SOC hat. I don't hear John mention that hat much

. I know if I were in the market for a hat like that, John's would be the one.

Matt

Mitch LaRue · Post by **Mitch LaRue** » Tue May 18, 2010 7:53 pm

Thanks again, everyone... it's a real pleasure to read so many kind - and amusing - comments... and I'm glad everyone "gets" the spirit in which I posted these...
(That is to say: they're simply a nice looking group of hats, I'm proud to own 'em, they look nice laid out next to each & I'm just hoping folks really enjoy seeing them in the same shot together (or find it useful to see them on display in this manner)

Swiftfoot wrote:Very nice collection Mitch. A big to you for posting them all together as I'm trying to decide on my first hat now and you give a nice visual representation.

bigrex wrote:Nice to see them all laid out together, it's good to be able to study them side by side (and with similar bashes)!

Cool. I'm really happy to read that, Swiftfoot... you too, bigrex. Thank you, both. As I mentioned above, I was hoping this kind of layout would prove helpful to someone getting started - although it's worth mentioning that there's also some awesome hats out there that I simply don't have in my possession yet (Delk's AB immediately comes to mind!)

jnicktem wrote:That's a very nice collection you got going on there Mitch! I guess I better round up all of my hats and take some group shots too! I will as soon as I receive my Penman Raiders and AB Deluxe!

I have NO doubt THAT will be some group shots worth seeing, my friend! I'm not just a guy who likes TAKING the photos... buh-lieve me when I say I LOVE seeing 'em!

Weston wrote:...I must say, your collection is a little "off". I think your Magnoli HJ is throwing off the equilibrium of an otherwise perfectly balanced collection. Go ahead and send it to me for immediate disposal.

Sure thing, Weston! I just finished packing it up. Now, if you can just send me your address I'll heyWAITAMINUTE!

DR Ulloa wrote:My fav...the Penman!

You're just proving what I've already learned about you by way of both your own hat collection and your marriage to Steph, pal...
You've just got great taste.

Tremolo wrote:I really like the look of your Garrison...

Yeah, that's a hat I feel SO comfortable in, Tremolo... and it's done a good bit of travelling with me, too. In fact, it's the first hat that let me get over my fear of "not being careful enough" with it... it's a good, tough hat (and letting it take a few "bruises" has done nothing but make it look better and better!)

Tundrarider wrote:They would look great displayed on the closet shelf above your shirt collection!

Aw, Michael... those shirts only EVER looked that neat (and organized) on that ONE day during those photos being taken! It's been chaos ever since...

mcmanm wrote:Man, I really like that Penman SOC hat. I don't hear John mention that hat much . I know if I were in the market for a hat like that, John's would be the one.

It's an EXCELLENT hat, Matt!
Not meaning to speak for John here when I say this, but if you ever DO get in the market for a Penman (and you're thinking "SoC") I'm sure John would want you to know you're always welcome to contact him and to talk about it...
The man brings Customer Service to a whole new level of satisfaction.

Speaking of which:

BendingOak wrote:
IndianaSean wrote:Mitch - Very nice!! Now you need to put together a collection of travel hats and you will be set!!
Sean
I know he has at least one to start off with.

He ain't kidding!
Like I said above, the only reason my Grey Penman Seaplane isn't "on the table" in any of the shots above is because it was "on my noggin'"... but now that we're talking about it, I suppose there's no reason I can't bring one more photo to the game late, is there?

Here's the hat the made me proud to wear a fedora:

There... that's everything I have...
You've seen it all... I've no secrets left.

Thanks again, John (that must be the 100th time I've said or written that... does it ever get tiring?)

IndianaSean · Post by **IndianaSean** » Tue May 18, 2010 8:18 pm

Mitch,
She's a beaut!!!!

Sean

mcmanm · Post by **mcmanm** » Tue May 18, 2010 9:08 pm

Mitch,

Funny you should say that. I have a few beaver Penamns and almost pulled the trigger on the SoC prototype he made last Spring. John and I are the same size so I figured I would take it off his hands. Just like John, it was not to his high standards so he refused to sell it to me. BTW, when/where do you wear the SoC hats?

Matt

DarenHenryW · Post by **DarenHenryW** » Wed May 19, 2010 12:50 am

Wow, Mitch, I'm ridiculously impressed!

It's so great to see not just a fantastic collection, but to see so many friendly competitors' work lined up next to each other. They are all incredibly beautiful representations of so many great Raiders hats!

Thanks for sharing, and congratulations! You da man!

Daren "Jack" Henry

BendingOak · Post by **BendingOak** » Wed May 19, 2010 10:17 am

mcmanm wrote:Man, I really like that Penman SOC hat. I don't hear John mention that hat much . I know if I were in the market for a hat like that, John's would be the one.

Matt

Don't want to derail your thread Mitch but I do have a SOC offering. It's based off of the one in this thread but I have changed a few things.

mcmanm · Post by **mcmanm** » Wed May 19, 2010 10:43 am

John,

Have you taken any pics since you made your changes? Would love to see some.

Matt

Mitch LaRue · Post by **Mitch LaRue** » Wed May 19, 2010 4:47 pm

BendingOak wrote:Don't want to derail your thread Mitch but I do have a SOC offering...

I don't think that's "derailing" John... just clarifying (or updating) the info I've been speaking on... Please be my guest.

Indiana Croft · Post by **Indiana Croft** » Thu May 20, 2010 1:22 pm

And I thought my 5 brown Fedoras was to many, but know I can see thaT I'm in good company. I too have a grey Fedora coming from John, can't wait.

Seriously though, you have an awsome colletion.

Croft

DR Ulloa · Post by **DR Ulloa** » Thu May 20, 2010 2:39 pm

One can never have too many hats. As far as brown Indy hats go, I think there are only two worth having, a Raiders and a CS. I like some other ones, like the ToD suspension bridge hat, but its all about the Raiders and CS hats, man. My three Indy hats are enough for me (Penman Raiders, AB CS, and custom spec AB), but that really is a very nice collection. Seeing that SoC Penman has made me want one!

John, any chance of you posting pics of your new SoC hat? Start a seperate thread though, please. Lets not derail Fox's.

BendingOak · Post by **BendingOak** » Thu May 20, 2010 2:56 pm

Let's not take away from mitchs thread. I don't have that hat finished as of yet but soon. Let's take the rest of the SOC penman hat over to my thread and let's get back to this fantastic collection of Indy hats.

John

Gorak · Post by **Gorak** » Thu May 20, 2010 3:52 pm

Beautiful hat collection. Even up against all those masterpieces, I am of the opinion that FedoraRaiders SOC hat stands out as most screen accurate. It is very evident in the side shot as it appears that all the hats have a deep and far reaching pinch bashed in whereas FedoraRaiders SOC looks EXACTLY as the photo I am looking at in my hands of the 'Indy meets Belloq' scene in the bar. This photo shoot sealed the deal for me and I am on the waiting list. Great hats...how do you decide which ones to wear and when.....I showed my wife pics of your Fedoraraiders hat saying thats what I was getting next....plus, I always point out the hat when I watch Raiders as being my Holy Grail of hats.. and her response was,"No way you are wearing that beat up old thing to church!" I told her, Ark of the Covenant!!? I`m sure God would appreciate it!"

hulkamad · Post by **hulkamad** » Thu May 20, 2010 11:58 pm

Mitch,
That collection is superb!

You have some wonderful treasures there. Those pics are causing my hat-appetite to salivate...

Mitch LaRue · Post by **Mitch LaRue** » Fri May 21, 2010 6:10 pm

IndianaSean wrote:Mitch,
She's a beaut!!!!

Many thanks, Sean.

mcmanm wrote:BTW, when/where do you wear the SoC hats?

Matt, I don't wear these things for any specific purpose or on any particular occasion... I just put the dang thing on and I'm out the door to go to work, go for a hike, go to the grocery store, throw around the baseball with my son...you name it.
Frankly, from the non -reaction I usually keep getting, no one ever seems to think anything other than "Hey, there's a guy wearing a well-worn, beat up, dusty old fedora... Probably had it for YEARS"

Daren, Croft & Dave:
Thanks very much for the compliments, fellas! To read that kinda thing from "Hat Men" like yourselves makes your words all the more flattering!

Gorak wrote:I am of the opinion that FedoraRaiders SOC hat stands out as most screen accurate. It is very evident in the side shot as it appears that all the hats have a deep and far reaching pinch bashed in whereas FedoraRaiders SOC looks EXACTLY as the photo I am looking at in my hands of the 'Indy meets Belloq' scene in the bar. This photo shoot sealed the deal for me and I am on the waiting list.

Happy to help provide you with some photo-reference that helped you make your decision, Gorak!

hulkamad wrote:Those pics are causing my hat-appetite to salivate...

Well, I guess I'm just glad to help and whet your "hat-ppetite", hulkamad...

Thanks for chiming in, everyone! Love hearing from you guys.

steerpike · Post by **steerpike** » Tue May 25, 2010 6:02 am

Mitch,
You have an ASTOUNDING collection of hats!!
I stared these pics so many times and I have to say, really it seems a backstage/dressing reharsal shot of Raiders..!

Your travel hat too is beautiful. (This reminds me I'm waiting my Penman seaplane in steel gray... and how hard is the wait

)

Steerpike

Post by **Michaelson** » Tue May 25, 2010 1:59 pm

Here's a link to another hat collection worth drooling over!

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=44655&p=641605&hili ... on#p641605

Regards! Michaelson

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Tue May 25, 2010 2:14 pm

Dare I say I've acquired more since then?

Post by **Michaelson** » Tue May 25, 2010 2:16 pm

Go ahead, dare!

Regards! Michaelson

Mitch LaRue · Post by **Mitch LaRue** » Tue May 25, 2010 5:03 pm

Mitch LaRue wrote:My collection is, I know, far from being as big and impressive as those of some Members here at C.O.W. ... nor does it have a level of variety that some prefer in their collections... after all, it IS just 6 Hats.

Actually, it was bink's collection specifically that I was thinking of when I wrote those words in this Threads opening Post...
So, you'll get no arguement from me... binkmeisterRick's Assortment of Hats is a thing to behold (and drool over!)