Here’s to Summer 2010…it’s is a quick 3 months. Get to it.

I found a source that can get me a few of these…I have no idea how much they will be or when they will be available. All I know is that the guy who found me 5 copies of Personal Effects said he could “get me a few, though it is out of print…”  His name is Tadashi and he is from Japan…if you leave a comment here, I will get you a copy if I can (at whatever it costs me).  If he gets me 5, I will be keeping 1-that leaves 4 copies up for grabs. First couple commentors secure a spot on the list.  If he gets me 2, I’ll have 1 to give away….and so on (you get the picture).

A while back James from 10engines pointed us all in the direction of great little men’s shop in Buffalo, NY.  O’Connell’s was the first place I looked when I wanted a pair of PJ’s made in America, where I bought my first pair of Quoddy’s and, more recently, my go to for summer swimwear.  When I stumbled on these beauty’s I was looking for something with a short inseam, a natural fiber, and a hint of the classic.  What I wasn’t expecting was to find a garment made over 2 decades ago from Indian bleeding madras, having been kept safe (saved no less) by O’Connell’s in their Buffalo storeroom.  Speaking to Ethan at O’Connell’s he revealed that most of the swim shorts they have listed were actually made 20 years ago by (if his memory serves) GIT.  The whales and seersucker versions are more recent additions to the line, made within the last 5 years.  The details on these look to be spectacular.  A non-elastic waistband, solid brass waist buckle, and adjustable sliding side tabs are just a few of the beautiful touches thrown in.  Being new old stock, there are very limited quantities and sizes left for the picking.  If your anywhere between a 31 and a 33 you will have your pick.  Size 34 is slim pickins…anything over that and your pretty much out of luck.  I know one plaid friend who will be sporting the red white and blue trunks this Forth of July…he just called today and ordered a pair.

As an aside, Ethan pointed out that he has a substantial collection of Authentic 100% cotton flat front Indian Madras trousers (bleeding, hand loomed, and vegetable dyed).  So while your calling in to order the trunks, throw in a pair of GTH pants for the summer.  That’s just what I did.

Personal Effects, Hiroshi Fujiwara

Picked this up a week ago and have flipped through the whole thing 5 or 6 times by now.  Great desk reference and awesome photography.

The guy I picked it up from in Japan has a few more available (but only a few) said he would ship me the rest of the lot for $70USD each.  If you want a copy email me howard.gannon[at]gmail.  I’ll make sure you get a copy.

**If you are with Bean and would like this post pulled just let me know via email…

BROKEN BELLS, “THE HIGH ROAD” from EJ on Vimeo.

Tracklist
———
01. The High Road
02. Vaporize
03. Your Head Is On Fire
04. The Ghost Inside
05. Sailing to Nowhere
06. Trap Doors
07. Citizen
08. October
09. Mongrel Heart
10. The Mall and Misery

Preview on iTunes

Have never done this before: Guy walks into where I’m eating lunch today and I muscle the nerve up to shoot his kit (ed- ala MISTER MORT). After he settles his tab I followed him out and asked if I could take his picture (if you’ve never done this before it’s actually harder than it looks). Thankfully, Ed was most gracious and shared with me that his late wife bought him the coat several years ago. Love the Vintage Bean Field coat, handkerchief peaking out of his pocket, and the fedora. What isn’t as evident from the iPhone shot are his hexagonal glasses and his great personality…

Ed says he loves the pockets on his Bean coat, “…big enough for my book…”

Thanks Ed.

Vintage Mountaineering Gear

1. REI Mountaineering Goose Down Parka 2. Fjallraven Kajka-85 Litre Backpack 3. Patagonia M’s Capilene® 2 Zip-Neck 4. Vintage JB Mountaineering Helmet 5. Vintage Patagonia Backcountry Bibs 6. Rocky Mountain Featherbed and BEAMS Tokyo 7. LOWA Mountaineering Boots 8. National Geographic Vintage-Style Mountaineering Sunglasses 9. ’70s Vintage Mother Karens Gaiters

I’ve long had the itch to climb Denali. It seems a more reasonable (sensible even) alternative to Everest. If I get to make the trek, you better believe I’m going with the best in synthetic fibers from contemporary outfitters. My nostalgic side, however, would want for a sprinkling of the vintage gear. Reading through the guide books provided by a few Denali outfitters, I made note of a couple of substitutions I would make trading new for vintage. I went straight to the source for all things vintage and cast off, eBay. In all honesty…part of me wants to climb just to legitimately rock a pair of vintage, Bolle’, mirrored lens, snow shielded, polarized, go to hell, mountaineering sunglasses and a gnarly beard. (see thumbs-below-for inspiration)

The look is inspired by The 1980 West Fork Expedition that skirted the great Alaskan peak. 80 Days of traversing, skiing, climbing, and hiking. Several superb guides offer great experiences into the Alaskan Wilderness, find one and get training (Denali’s climbing window is typically April -June depending on the outfitter).  After reading their account…I’m counting my pennies and starting to pull some gear from eBay. (ed. This Vintage Mountaineering gear holds it value, well.)

Check a selection of photos from the West Fork adventure to whet your appetite. See the link above to read the whole story. Worth the time.