Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Post Cubbins: Hat 514 - Sir Laugh A Lot Edition


I like knit caps and I cannot lie ... What's probably the last lid of 2015 is a gray, 100% acrylic, made-in-China knit cap with all-caps embroidery that reads (nay, commands) "LAUGH A LOT."

This pate-warming cap, which was in the "elf bag" my sainted mother gave me this Christmas, (other items included a pink flamingo dish and matching cheese knife and a vintage GEM single-edge razor), also happens to be heart-warming.

That's because it's one of the toques in Kmart's Giving Hat program, which donates $1 from the sale of each $5 cap to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Other embroidered messages (all of them inspired by St Jude patients and their families) include: "SMILE" and "GIVE THANKS."


According to Kmart's website -- where the hats are still available for purchase (hint, hint) --  the retailer is donating $1 for each hat sold between November 8 and December 31 with a minimum donation of $50,000.

I'm smiling, giving thanks and laughing a lot since the only thing I like better than a hat is a hat with a charitable element to it.

A sincere tip o' the hat to my mother -- unless she wasn't joking and really did use that vintage razor on her legs before gifting it to me.

Related:
PC 513: A 'Mingo for Moms
PC 512: Adaminable Snowmonster
PC 382: Love Your Melon

Q: OK, fun hat but what is -- or was -- Project Cubbins, exactly?

A: Project Cubbins started as one man’s attempt to pay homage to Dr. Seuss and his second book, "The 500 Hats of Bartholemew Cubbins," during its 75th anniversary year in 2013. It documented the wearing of a different hat or piece of headgear every day for 500 consecutive days with no do-aheads, no banking of hats and no retroactive entries. Hat One was posted on May 27, 2013, and Hat 500 was posted on October 8, 2014.

While headgear is no longer posted on a daily basis, the occasional cap, hat or bonnet – if deemed worthy and non-duplicative – is sported here for the amusement of all.

Monday, December 07, 2015

Post Cubbins: Hat 513 - A 'Mingo for the Moms


Pink flamingo hat with dangling black legs and white and black beak detail. Interior tag reads: "Made in China."

This hat was at the very bottom of a large bag 'o hats that swooped into my cubicle less than five minutes ago in the hands of the Times' Test Kitchen Director Noelle Carter and Recipe Tester Davis Alexander. Davis (pictured with me in the above left photo).

Davis had just given them to Noelle (well-known around the office as a headgear enthusiast) and says of their provenance: "They belonged to my mother -- the late Alice Blue Nadler." Alexander went on to explain that her mother, who passed away three weeks ago at the age of 88, simply loved to buy the fantastical hats. As the two walked away from my desk, I heard Alexander say: "It's so nice to spread her joy" -- and I vigorously nod my flamingo-topped head in agreement.

What really gets my heart cockles toasty warm is that this serendipitous hat came into my temporary custody on the very sane day my own mother is celebrating her birthday -- and that my mom and I have had a long-running mutual bemusement with all things pink flamingo that began decades ago with the gifting of a plastic and wire yard-ornament version.

My mom is fond of saying "you don't take the journey -- the journey takes you," and, in this case I didn't choose my Monday millinery -- and Happy Birthday -- blog post as much at seems to have chosen me.

A Happy Birthday to my sainted mother Nancy Tschorn and a sincere tip o' the hat to the late great Alice Blue Nadler - with the assist to Davis.

ALSO:
PC 512: Adaminable Snowmonster
PC 460: Gettin' Buggy
PC 20: Glacier Park

Q: OK, fun hat but what is -- or was -- Project Cubbins, exactly?

A: Project Cubbins started as one man’s attempt to pay homage to Dr. Seuss and his second book, "The 500 Hats of Bartholemew Cubbins," during its 75th anniversary year in 2013. It documented the wearing of a different hat or piece of headgear every day for 500 consecutive days with no do-aheads, no banking of hats and no retroactive entries. Hat One was posted on May 27, 2013, and Hat 500 was posted on October 8, 2014.

While headgear is no longer posted on a daily basis, the occasional cap, hat or bonnet – if deemed worthy and non-duplicative – is sported here for the amusement of all.

Thursday, December 03, 2015

Post Cubbins: Hat 512 - Adaminable Snowmonster Edition


Fuzzy "Abominable Snowmonster of the North" hat with white polyester microfleece lining, gray knit acrylic (front) and polyester (back) shell, with gray and white face details in a combination of embroidery and appliques. Additional details include gray microfleece horns and interior tag that indicates it was made in China.

This snuggly warm toddler-sized piece of headgear wandered past my cubicle this morning atop the head of fellow hat enthusiast (and frequent contributor to Project Cubbins) Noelle Carter and it pushed all my holiday nostalgia buttons so perfectly I had to stop down and post it immediately.

If you're of a certain age you'll likely remember the Abominable Snowmonster of the North (aka Bumble) from his role in the 1964 Rankin/Bass animated holiday special "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer." If you're not familiar with this particular yeti yet, I implore you to watch (or record for later watching) one of the upcoming airings of the perennial Christmas-tide favorite.

The hat tip goes to Noelle who tells me her partner Val came home with said lid yesterday.


Related:
PC 511: Outerknown
PC 246: Christmas Season for No Reason
PC 205: Jingle Baller [VIDEO]

Q: OK, fun hat but what is -- or was -- Project Cubbins, exactly?

A: Project Cubbins started as one man’s attempt to pay homage to Dr. Seuss and his second book, "The 500 Hats of Bartholemew Cubbins," during its 75th anniversary year in 2013. It documented the wearing of a different hat or piece of headgear every day for 500 consecutive days with no do-aheads, no banking of hats and no retroactive entries. Hat One was posted on May 27, 2013, and Hat 500 was posted on October 8, 2014.

While headgear is no longer posted on a daily basis, the occasional cap, hat or bonnet – if deemed worthy and non-duplicative – is sported here for the amusement of all.


Monday, November 16, 2015

Post Cubbins: Hat 511 - Inner Warmth with Outerknown Edition


This blustery Millinery Monday finds my noggin sporting a super-soft gray knit cap. Interior tag includes a ribbon-like stripe with the stylized "OK" logo and a manufacture tag that reads: "100% Baby Alpaca, made in Peru" (both in English and French).

The hat is from the debut collection of a super-luxe line called Outerknown that launched this summer, and while I'm quick to mock the knit cap and all those who wear them (especially in beastly hot weather) in today's cool and unusually windy weather, I feel like I'm wearing a security blanket on my head - in the best possible way.
 

Related:
PC 510: Dark Weber
PC 300: Three Heads and a Hand-Knit
Kelly Slater, John Moore launch Outerknown


Q: OK, fun hat but what is -- or was -- Project Cubbins, exactly?

A: Project Cubbins started as one man’s attempt to pay homage to Dr. Seuss and his second book, "The 500 Hats of Bartholemew Cubbins," during its 75th anniversary year in 2013. It documented the wearing of a different hat or piece of headgear every day for 500 consecutive days with no do-aheads, no banking of hats and no retroactive entries. Hat One was posted on May 27, 2013, and Hat 500 was posted on October 8, 2014.

While headgear is no longer posted on a daily basis, the occasional cap, hat or bonnet – if deemed worthy and non-duplicative – is sported here for the amusement of all.

Monday, November 09, 2015

Post Cubbins: Hat 510 - Dark Weber from Deutschland Edition

In honor of millinery Monday, I present to you a black, baseball-style cap in a poly/wool blend with
flat brim and black embroidery on front of a Weber kettle grill in silhouette.

Additional details include a rectangular plastic Weber logo on back with the name in white and the grill silhouette in red), interior band that reads "Flexfit" and manufacturer's tag that reads: "Myrtle Beach Headgear."

This hat was purchased at the Weber Original Store Berlin & Grillakademie Original during a trip the Bride and I took to Germany back in September. It was sitting at the counter and advertised as a marathon special -- seeing as the Berlin Marathon was taking place a few days later.

The best  could understand, it's the first-ever Weber standalone concept store anywhere, selling a range of grills and grill tools alongside a kick-ass (indoor!) grilling school that teaches you how to grill and then feeds you the results.

I admit, it was totally an impulse purchase (I think I was probably just smitten with the giant, two-story-tall Weber grill standing outside), but what's not to like about a dedicated grilling lid? And it does go perfectly with Little Carbon Black, the Weber Genesis E-310 parked in our backyard.

ALSO:
PC 509: Filù and Frog Mountain
PC 500: Bespoke Bartholemew
VIDEO: "The Road to 500"


Q: OK, fun hat but what is Project Cubbins, exactly?

A: Project Cubbins started as one man’s attempt to pay homage to Dr. Seuss and his second book, "The 500 Hats of Bartholemew Cubbins," during its 75th anniversary year in 2013. It documented the wearing of a different hat or piece of headgear every day for 500 consecutive days with no do-aheads, no banking of hats and no retroactive entries. Hat One was posted on May 27, 2013, and Hat 500 was posted on October 8, 2014.

While headgear is no longer posted on a daily basis, the occasional cap, hat or bonnet – if deemed worthy and non-duplicative – is sported here for the amusement of all.

Thursday, November 05, 2015

Post Cubbins: Hat 509 -- Filù and Frog Mountain / Halloween Hat Edition


Crushable beaver felt hat with generous brim snapped in the garden of Casa Hyder in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, on October 31, 2015.

The hat was graciously provided for the occasion by one Ms. Dawn Klohs co-owner/proprietess of the famed A'maree's of Newport Beach during a funtastical four-day trip south of the border for a mutual friends 40th birthday party.

"It's beaver and it's from a company called Filù," Klohs said of this pliable lid's provenance, promptly pulling from her poncho pocket. A little additional e-sleuthing reveals that it is most likely the "Courchevel Camel" (in a color shade called "Ice" if we're not mistaken) from the 260-year-old Italian label's  Fall/Winter 2015 collection.

This was my first trip to the Mexican state of Guanjauato (which, I have it on good authority, translates to something approximating "frog mountain") but the Bride and I had such a blast I'm pretty confident it won't be our last.

Incidentally, this wasn't the only headgear to come out of the trip, either, but the story of sombrero dos is so amazing it belongs in a whole separate post.

So, an internationally flavored tip o' the hat to Dawn for furnishing the Filù (a label which she and her sister stock at the store) and a reminder to readers to throw their own hat in the ring for consideration here.

The only rule? No duplicate hats.

Previous Posts:
PC 508: Ghana but not Forgotten
PC 507: #feelthebern
PC 506: Nothin' But Nettin'

Monday, October 05, 2015

Post Cubbins: Hat 508 - Ghana But Not Forgotten Edition

Baseball-style cap in purple and gold Kente cloth with black crown button and black interior. This fantastic cap was procured for me by my sister-in-law Kathleen during her trip to Ghana last month -- and handed over personally while I was in New York City in advance of my Berlin trip.

Kathleen explained that the colors used in Kente cloth have a symbolic meaning, and my recollection (aided, in part, by this run-down on Wikipedia) is that the gold represents royalty and / or spiritual purity and the purple is associated with femininity (and therefore often worn by women).

While I've been known to rock my spiritual and feminine side from time to time, what had initially caught Kathleen's eye was the fact these also happen to be the team colors of one of my favroite teams -- the Los Angeles Lakers.

So, in honor of the Lakers (who played -- and lost -- their first pre-season game of the year last night) and the start of a new work week (let's call it "millinery Monday," shall we?) I'm posting this nifty gifty of a cap.

Related Hats:
PC 223: Head in the Game
PC 197: Winter Laker Lid
PC 157: Let's Go Lakers!

Friday, September 11, 2015

Post Cubbins: Hat 507 - Bernin' Down the House Edition

Navy blue baseball-style cap with white embroidery on front that reads: "think ... Bernie 2016," with the letter "i" in both words embroidered in a shade of blue that approximates teal.

Additional details include adjustable buckle closure on back with embroidered American flag tag and label inside hat that reads: "Bayside, made in the USA, ASI 30244 RN 95024." The hat was purchased for me by the Bride on our recent trip to the 802 for Labor Day.

One of two attached hangtags is an oval-shaped American flag on one side and a UPC code and price tag ($24.99) on the other. The second hangtag gives the provenance of the hat as the Vermont Hat Company (slogan: "gotcha covered!" and notes that "[a] portion of proceeds from the sale of this product will be donated to the SAMFund for young adult survivors of cancer."

The "Bernie" here is Bernie Sanders, the Independent junior U.S. Senator from Vermont currently vying for the Democratic nomination for U.S. president. It goes without saying (but I'll say it anyway) the wearing of any hat for Project Cubbins implies no endorsement whatsoever, but it sure has been fun to watch Vermont's own excitable boy stump around the country.

The hat also gives me a chance to rehash my favorite Bernie story: Sanders happened to be the mayor of Burlington during my years at UVM, During one particularly raucous fraternity party, I fondly recall his honor storming into the house -- accompanied by Burlington's police chief -- and telling me, white hair swirling about his head and face reddening with anger: "The people of Burlington have a right to quiet!" (On this point I do not disagree.)

If you'd like to hear my Bernie impression, I did it on the radio one New Year's Eve during a Curtis Sliwa interview -- which you can listen to here. It kicks in somewhere around the 4 minute and 30 second mark.

I think the politi-hat in my sights is gonna be one of those Donald Trump lids.

Related:
PC 506: Skeeter Beater
PC 356: Brim Be Crazy
PC 240: All Hat No Bottle

Sunday, September 06, 2015

Post Cubbins 506: Skeeter Beater Edition


Black, 100% cotton, baseball-style cap with 100% polyester mosquito netting that rolls up and stores where the brim meets the crown and secures with a snap. Tags on the adjustable Velcro closure and on interior of hat read: "Little Fly." Interior tag gives the provenance of "Little Fly" as Quebec, Canada.

This cap, retail price $29.95, was purchased by my father-in-law for my sister-in-law for an upcoming trip to a place where mosquito bites can net you more than an itch.

Booth says the rolled-up netting part makes the hat look "Saint Bernardish." Thleen thought it deserved a place in the post-Cubbins canon and I concur.

Monday, July 06, 2015

PC 505: FEMA and Family Edition


Hat 505: Navy blue, baseball-style cap with an adjustable snap-buckle closure in back and white all-caps embroidery on front that reads "FEMA." Interior tag reads: "Headmost, 100% cotton, made in China.

This is certainly the most special of all the Post-Cubbins hats (and definitely in the top 10 of all hats in the run). And here's why:

It was given to me on July 3, 2015, during a gathering of family and friends at the family homestead in SNAFU Hollow to honor my father, Doug Tschorn, who passed away in December, 

My dad's final (written) wishes included having his ashes scattered in the hills of Sandgate, a town he made his home, raised a family in and loved so much. One of his greatest hopes (expressed to me often) was that upon  his passing, those close to him should not mark the occasion sadly or solemnly but with a joyous, raucous celebration of his life. "I don't want a funeral," he said, "I want you guys to have a keg party!"
The planning began in earnest around the first of the year and while there wasn't technically a keg on site (in honor of another of Dad's long-held wishes to avoid liquor liability) there was no shortage of beverages -- or anything else for that matter. By the time all the details were hammered out the event had turned into a tented, catered party for 100 family and closest friends from every corner of the country. It included a roaring bonfire (lit by a firefighter cousin), a fireworks display (courtesy of the neighbor) and, most importantly, a DJ who provided the evening's soundtrack from Frank Sinatra standards to The Doors "Light My Fire" which was played during the lighting of the aforementioned bonfire.

The DJ was far from a random part of the evening. He was one Richard Bouchard, affectionately known in our family as Uncle Dick. He earned that title not by blood or marriage but by being my dad's oldest and dearest friend. They met, as family lore goes, when my dad was the assistant manager of the Sears store in the Walnut Hill Plaza in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, and Uncle Dick who was selling radio advertising at the time. I don't recall the exact year but it was at least 46 years ago and maybe as many as 49 years ago. They were fast friends, bound by a love of ham radios, flea markets and most especially the love of the bargain.

I could prattle on for hours about how the lives of the Rhode Island Bouchards and the Vermont Tschorns have become intertwined but will leave it at the fact that there were four generations of inter-familial shenanigans on display at Friday's party.

Part owner, business manager and chief engineer of radio station WNRI (1380 on the AM dial the slogan was -- and maybe still is -- "the AM that sounds like an FM") Uncle Dick is also known as "Rockin' Dick" his nom du disc jockey both on the radio station from time and as an  actual party DJ for hire. 

Another side gig -- and this is where the hat comes in -- is that he serves as a reservist for FEMA's Disaster Teams. After setting up his considerable DJ rig in the yard, he put the hat on the table in front of him and announced he'd brought it for the project. 

While I was certainly touched by Dick's gesture, I was more touched by his seemingly mad-intuitive skills at the DJ equipment. I'd never seen him in action before and it was a sight to behold -- the patter, the seamless way songs new and old flowed together. He had people dancing together that I thought would never be seen even talking  to each other. 

The capper though, was as the crowd gathered around to plant an apple tree with my father's ashes a couple dozen yards away from the area where the DJ table and tent were set up. As friends and family took turns shoveling dirt around the base of the tree, a song could be heard wafting over from where Uncle Dick stood sentinel:"We Are Family" by Sister Sledge.  

Indeed we are Uncle Dick, indeed we are. And, while I appreciate the hat, what I cherish more is the send-off you gave my dad -- and your best friend. 

It will not soon be forgotten.

Related:
PC 493: Hot Head
PC 240: Batten Kill on my Brain
PC 123: SNAFU Hollow

Q: OK, fun hat but what is Project Cubbins, exactly?

A: Project Cubbins started as one man’s attempt to pay homage to Dr. Seuss and his second book, "The 500 Hats of Bartholemew Cubbins," during its 75th anniversary year in 2013. It documented the wearing of a different hat or piece of headgear every day for 500 consecutive days with no do-aheads, no banking of hats and no retroactive entries. Hat One was posted on May 27, 2013, and Hat 500 was posted on October 8, 2014.

While headgear is no longer posted on a daily basis, the occasional cap, hat or bonnet – if deemed worthy and non-duplicative – is sported here for the amusement of all.

Wednesday, July 01, 2015

Post Cubbins 504: Eyes on my Money Edition


In the run-up to the Fourth of July weekend -- and no longer hobbled by the one-hat-a-day rule -- I decided to post two recent finds.

The one on the left is a top hat silhouette with allover U.S. currency print on the (presumably polyester) crown and a black faux fur brim. (Maker unknown but I think  it's from Elope.)

The one on the right is definitely an Elope lid, described at the fantastical headwear company's website as a "Monsters University" Mike Deluxe Hoodie. It's made of green polyester has two horns, one giant eyeball in the front and two 11-inch tassels.

These were both stealth-snapped at Hidden Treasures Vintage in Topanga Canyon during the goddaughter's whirlwind visit. I don't feel too bad about it though since both the goddaughter and the Bride walked away having made substantial purchases.

This isn't the first time one of the hats from Hidden Treasures' deep bench of headgear has been featured, either, by the way. PC 13 (way back in June 2013) was purchased there -- and photographed in the parking lot as I left.

Related:
PC 503: Poutine Pate
PC 481: Patience, Young Grasshopper
PC 175: Super Fly

Q: OK, fun hat but what is Project Cubbins, exactly?

A: Project Cubbins started as one man’s attempt to pay homage to Dr. Seuss and his second book, "The 500 Hats of Bartholemew Cubbins," during its 75th anniversary year in 2013. It documented the wearing of a different hat or piece of headgear every day for 500 consecutive days with no do-aheads, no banking of hats and no retroactive entries. Hat One was posted on May 27, 2013, and Hat 500 was posted on October 8, 2014.

While headgear is no longer posted on a daily basis, the occasional cap, hat or bonnet – if deemed worthy and non-duplicative – is sported here for the amusement of all.

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Post Cubbins: Hat 503: Poutine on my Pate Edition

Baseball-style cap in black and red buffalo check flannel with black and white embroidery of a face on the front and Velcro closure in the back upon which a black, white and red embroidered logo label reads: "Smoke's Poutinerie."

This mystery lid was left, sometime in the last three weeks, at my desk in the Baja Features Cube Farm. There was no accompanying note or explanation of any kind and, to date, no one has mentioned it, but my guess is it came from one of my compatriots in the Food section.

It took a surprisingly little amount of sleuthing the interwebs to determine that this cap must have arrived at the offices as part of the marketing campaign to announce the opening of, you guessed it, a poutinerie, right here in the City of Angels.

Smoke's Poutinerie to be precise, which opened at 1552 N. Cahuenga Blvd. in Hollywood on June 17, making it the second California location behind an outpost in Berkeley.

I have to say that, despite having spent my formative years within curling distance of the Canadian border -- not to mention being what some might consider an overly zealous gastronaut -- I don't think I've actually ever eaten poutine proper.

Poutine, for those unfamiliar with the dish, is one of Canada's contributions to the culinary canon, essentially a pile of French fries ladled to near-drowning with a brown gravy and topped with cheese curds. According to the currently accepted creation myth, It hails from rural Quebec in particular, and the name may or may not be derived from the word "pudding."

In my defense, I've snarfed down many  aplat of fries and gravy in my day -- most memorably at Nectar's in Burlington, Vermont, in my college years -- but to the best of my recollection they've never been topped with cheese curds. (Not that it's be a deal-breaker or anything.)

Oh, and just in case you're wondering (since I was) that embroidered visage above the visor of the hat is apparently the guy they call Smoke.

More North of the Border North of the Neck:
PC 338: The Pook Toque
PC 145: Canadian Coyote
PC 66: A Kepi from Canada

Project Cubbins started as one man’s attempt to pay homage to Dr. Seuss and his second book, "The 500 Hats of Bartholemew Cubbins," during its 75th anniversary year in 2013. It documented the wearing of a different hat or piece of headgear every day for 500 consecutive days with no do-aheads, no banking of hats and no retroactive entries. Hat One was posted on May 27, 2013, and Hat 500 was posted on October 8, 2014.


While headgear is no longer posted on a daily basis, the occasional cap, hat or bonnet – if deemed worthy and non-duplicative – is sported here for the amusement of all.

Wednesday, April 01, 2015

Post Cubbins: Hat 502 - The April Fool / Jester Next Door Edition


Red velvet jester-style cap with bells en pointe. Additional detail includes yellow embroidery on back that reads "Cirque du Soleil."

I've had this lid in the wings since the middle of March since I knew, from the minute I saw it, it would be perfect for an April Fools' Day post. It is on long-term loan to the extended version of the Project by our cross-the-street neighbor Byron Funk.

"I think it looks perfect on you," he told me -- completely unaware of my borderline obsession with zany headgear. Of its provenance, Byron said: "I got it at a Cirque du Soleil show in Los Angeles about five years ago and I usually don't buy souvenirs but this was something special."

Funk's traditionally paired this well-made, upscale cap (let's call it "jester formal," shall we?) with a black suit for Purim festivities, though this year his wife Reva told me he decided not to. A couple of weeks later the Funks called me over and presented me with this glorious fool's crown nestled in a huge Robinsons-May hat box.

The best part, to me, is that even though the Funks weren't aware of my proclivity for millinery, they somehow felt the hat would find a good home across the street.

And that is where it will remain - with bells on. 

No fooling.

Related:

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Post Cubbins: Hat 501 -- Got Dairy, Dan?



Vintage white paper ice-cream vendor's hat with blue printing that reads: "Dairy Dan" to the left of a stylized ice cream truck with a soft-serve cone on the roof. Interior printing reads: "U.S. Pat. No. 2,685,090 Other Pats. Pending, Made and Printed in U.S.A., Cellucap Mfg. Co. , Phila., PA" and includes a "This hat belongs to: ____________" line and sizing instructions.

I've been carrying that folded yellow Post-It with the number 501 on it since the day I closed out the official 500-hat run of Project Cubbins back on October 8, 2014. To say a lot has happened since then is an understatement of near biblical proportions, but I knew, deep in my heart of hearts I hadn't snapped my last hat.

So, when Noelle Carter -- one of the earliest and most enthusiastic contributors to the Project --waved this cap at me like a red cape at a bull, I felt it was time. Of its provenance she says: "I got it at a second-hand store two years ago and it wished I'd had it while you were doing your project but I just found it today while I was moving desks."

What was Dairy Dan? My cursory search of the interwebs finds a couple of ice cream shops in the Midwest that go by the name Dairy Dan but based on the truck picture on the hat -- and a passage I found in the 2012 obituary of one Alvin "Buddy" Rothstein -- I believe I found the answer:

"Following military service, Buddy married Olyphant native, Beulah Spitz, and moved to York, where he operated a soda bottling plant. After 13 years, he sold the plant and returned to Wilkes-Barre to found Dairy Dan, one of the first soft ice cream truck franchisors."

That would have been in about 1958 or so.

A sincere hat-tip to Noelle for throwing this hat in the ring. I can;t help but think a deserving number 502 is right around the corner.

Related:
PC 500: Bespoke Bartholemew
PC 001: Let the Games Begin