Papa Nui Says.....

The Breach.

2012-01-28T21:13:00.000-08:00

'The breach', 45 tons of exploding Leviathan!

The Sea is my Brother.

2012-01-28T21:05:00.000-08:00

Four days off work and its rained flat out. Surf is onshore and with the amount of outflow from the waterways it would be trecherous anyway: all sorts of debris, logs, flotsom and jetsom. Nothing to do but paint and polish my shoes! This water colour I finished today and owes its inspiration in two parts, to Kerouac and Nobbs.

Papa's War Bag.

2012-01-19T21:11:00.000-08:00

In 1943 the Papa's Papa sailed off to the Pacific Islands to engage the forces of the Nipponese. Signalman John Tesoriero NX134804 of the Australian Imperial Forces, Number 5 section, 2nd Corps Signals packed up his swag in his Commonwealth issue kit bag and set forth on the adventure of a lifetime that would campaign up through the dense jungles of New Guinea and the swamps of Bougainville and the Solomon Islands.

Fast forward 69 years and the Papa is digging around in the garage and discovers the duffel discarded in a crate. What to do? A duffel isn't exactly a practical item to use unless heading off on a long voyage and let's face it who travels like that these days. Faced with the dilemma
of what to do the Papa contacted Matt Shallenberger of California with the idea of rebuilding the duffel into something practical and useful, something the Papa can use every day something that embraces the legacy and celebrates the Papa's linage.

The result was to remake the duffel into a spacious tote. The vertical duffel panels were cut and laid horizontal to make use of my father's stencilling, these panels were then attached to a waxed canvas bottom and leather shoulder carry straps were added.

Matt Shallenberger, photographer, bag maker and surfer did an amazing job with this collaboration.

My father was a commercial artist before the war, working with a movie theater marketing department which was an agent for MGM. He hand cut the stencil himself and then was bitterly disappointed as he applied too much paint to the dabbling brush causing the lettering to run.

Matt used the round bottom of the duffel to make the internal pocket. This was also stencilled with the shipping transport number for 5 section signals.

The Union Jack flag was also found in the crate. Its all wool and made in England, thread bare and moth eaten it represents an era before all glory had departed.

Matt Shallenberger bags are available through his blog, mattshallenbergerbags.blogspot.com or at

http://www.etsy.com/shop/mattshallenberger.
Matt is also a very talented and accomplished photographer, www.mattshallenberger.com to view his portfolio, thank Matt!

Tapa Papa.

2011-12-22T01:30:00.000-08:00

Another ode to Melville.

Papa Nui 'Boyington' wears the Segui.

2011-11-27T00:28:00.000-08:00

As many of you may know, Patrick Segui of 'Riveted', has been turning out these amazing reproduction t-shirts the past month or so and again I was fortunate enough to purchase one. Patrick's proviso was that each customer had to send back a photo of the t-shirt being worn. To respect not only Patrick's wishes but also to do justice to the effort he makes the Papa enlisted the assistance of Giggles his sidekick with her newly purchased Fuji X-100. Together we spent the afternoon setting up the canvas and shooting a series of fun pictures with the aid of the Papa's surplus collection. Enjoy!

Papa Nui, King of the Sea.

2011-11-17T21:17:00.000-08:00

This would explain why I haven't posted lately. Ive recently been exploring water colours after being very inspired by a re-read of Moby Dick. Im thinking there's a club jacket vibe about these designs or perhaps I should do some transfer prints on tees, hmmm, so whose up for a Papa leviathan t-shirt then??

A Great Lord of Leviathans.

2011-11-17T21:11:00.000-08:00

Another water colour inspired by my recent reading of Melville's Moby Dick.

A Khan of the Plank.

2011-10-15T14:27:00.000-07:00

Im currently at home on sick leave and have worked three quarters through a re-read of Moby Dick. Yesterday morning was all thunderclouds and lightning so I felt inspired to get the watercolours out and with ol' Ahab in my mind put brush to paper. The words are Melvilles with revisions from the Papa.

Swabby Style.

2011-10-14T22:21:00.000-07:00

Ive often mentioned in my blog before that servicemen were not always general issue. We assume that military standards carried the day when in reality the opposite was perhaps closer to the truth. In the 'field' much was tolerated.
I like this pic for just those reasons, it says everything about the individual and little about the service, from his private purchase denim dungarees with the single rear pocket and re-inforced seat and the wide leather belt to the swabbies hats in the background which look suspiciously like the 1930's tennis hats available from the Quaker Marine Supply Company. There's a deck worthy reference here for all of us to remember, adding our own individual touch is far more significant than the slavish devotion to a particular fashion.

My apologises in advance for credits on the photo, some of these images are saved for months or years prior to a moment of inspiration, this one though could be Rivet head or Riveted, either way thank you guys.

Papa's Torpedo Craft.

2011-10-14T21:47:00.000-07:00

There's something about PT-boats that I love. I think its the sleekness of their lines and the way their hulls rise up high on their wide flat sterns as they speed towards a run. There's the spray streaming against your face and the sea air lashing at your temple and the roar of those big twin screws thrusting you forward to battle. Its aquatic and equine in the same breath, a water-borne cavalry charge. Recently I came across a few historical sites, one of these, PT-King, had some great photos which Ive re-posted. For the best in Hollywood's portrayal of these plywood war machines, view John Ford's 'They were Expendable' or see Cliff Robertson in PT-73 or on a lighter note the boxed set starring those good hearted swabbies of McHales Navy makes you realise that 'ol Wally Binghampton is a comic genius.

A mornings photos.

2011-10-14T21:41:00.000-07:00

Out early looking for photo ops at the beach.

Papa's beach kit

2011-10-08T16:11:00.000-07:00

The Papa is always working on adding to his beach kit and when occasion arises he busies local tailors with requests to make what is needed. Here then is summer's new additions. HBT helmet bag with PBY patch, HBT naval hat and a matching one in Japanese chambray.

Papa Segui a long way from Ebbets Field.

2011-09-30T20:55:00.000-07:00

Patrick Segui is a man of talent, not only does he curate the most fascinating blog, Riveted, but he is also an accomplished artist and the man behind Mr Freedom's box art packaging. What I really love about Patrick however is his enthusiasm for projects. After posting photos of a rare seebees t-shirt flea market find, Patrick was inundated with requests by followers to reproduce the graphics. Exploring vintage printing techniques took sometime but eventually Mr Segui figured out the exacting process for recreating an authenticism that would appeal to aficionados the world over. On top of this he used original period garments as a base for the print method resulting in a look that says 60 years of wear and tear. The Papa was fortunate enough to requistion one of Patricks shirts and if ever there was an outfit to play ball with whilst serving in the Pacific then this is it. It may not be Ebbets Field but it feels every bit as real.

(Sea Bees Allstar shirt hand printed by Patrick Segui, 5th Marines modified pocket HBT pants, vintage LL Bean canoe sneekers by converse, 1942 Great Lakes Naval Base team cap.)

Civilian A-1 the Papa way.

2011-09-24T22:51:00.000-07:00

There's absolutely no doubt in my mind that the two major proponents of the A-1 jacket are Himel Brothers Leathers and the French Cancan Blogspot. These folks are the true heavy weights in all there is to know about this fantastic 20's 30's style jacket. Cancan the fanatic collector, Himel the expert remaker. The Papa with some sketches in hand a bag of associated hardwear and a head full of managed expectations went off to see his Balinese tailor to see what $160 could buy. Well the results were pretty good all things considered, the leather is a great light tan colour and the styling is pretty spot on, the original zips and buttons enhance the job and my olive drab HBT lining choice authenticates the overall look. For the dollars spent and a first attempt Im pretty happy to have this as a kick around jacket, its certainly not worthy of my esteemed peers approval but as a backstreet cheapy, well what can i say?

Whirling Log Swastika Cuff for Ebay.

2011-08-25T21:47:00.000-07:00

Keep an eye out on ebay as Im listing some more stuff shortly just to generate a few bucks including this very cool navajo silver cuff. Hollyrock47 seller ID.

Bali revisited 2011

2011-08-25T03:36:00.000-07:00

Back from the East Indies and I was thinking about how truly beautiful the place is. So in the spirit of the great Naturalists, the likes of Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace, the Papa with his trusty companion Giggles couldn't help but take the hipstamatic to the gorgeous tropical surrounds. Here are some random shots of our vacation.

You may not wish to go to school but you should learn to spell.

Bali and the southern Islands are predominately Hindu and so the swastika charm abounds.

On the beach north of Seminyak we found these sea snails washed up by the tide.

Thousands of shutters make up an amphitheatre that is the beach club.

Submariner in Bali Time.

Working the sawah in all its verdant greenery adjacent to Jalan Oberoi.

Bamboo decor disguises a foot tap to wash away the black volcanic sand.

Giant banana leaves, a backdrop for the Papa.

Outside of a random front gate this beautiful vine profusion of orchids.

Heliconias and Birds of Paradise.

Plumeria blossoms everywhere.

Deadly tidal current sweep seawards along the coast from Kuta and Legian and the north to Seminyak and beyond, getting caught in the current means a long long paddle.

The Deus Ex Machinas store in Canggu is a strange oasis amongst the rice fields, the Mini Simmons surfboards available for sale there are a rare thing of beauty.

Dutch Colonial lighting.

Echo beach far away in time.

Coconuts adrift.

This gorgeously fragile starfish was a victim on the full moon tides.

Finding a suitable daypack for this trip was one of trial and error however in the end the WWII gas mask bag proved its worth in size and practicality.

A tributary that ran into the sea near Petitenget provided a sanctuary for millions of tiny crabs.

Papa on the watch, scanning the horizon.

Papa and Giggles: a perfect union.

The pool at the Kresna.

Morning coffee at Potato Head and a good read: 'The Malay Archipelago' published 1868.

An asiatic style statue of the Buddah.

On the Road.

2011-07-28T22:29:00.000-07:00

See you all back here in 21 days!.

The Papa concept and the origins of a species revealed.

2011-07-28T04:03:00.000-07:00

Papa Nui is many things and while many of you reading this blog may know the persona the actuality is that Papa Nui is both a place and a brand also.
Papa Nui the place is the outer reef break off Waikiki, beyond Queens and past Chunga. Its one of those majestic breaks that only begins to churn at 20ft plus and a wave steeped in historical significance as a testing ground for Hawaiian Royalty. In the 1930's Duke Kahanamoku supposedly christened this place, 'Papa Nui' in honour of the big boards used to ride these monster swells, Papa is the Hawaiian word for board and Nui equates to big.
In searching for a brand name that realised all the essential ingredients of tradition, heritage and soul, I couldn't have stumbled onto a better combination and thus with a desire to produce truly great surf wear I created Papa Nui Soul Crafted Surf Trunks with a promise of 'Aloha sewn into every stitch'.
As much as I love what I do I admit its been a constant struggle to realise an idea when its impossible to throw a steady stream of money to make things happen and so it has taken the better part of quite a few years to come close to a working sample. Admittedly most of this time has been spent in realising the concept from name to logo, from function to form but now it feels like I'm getting closer.
As this month ends I'm finally off to the East Indies with a new board in tow and a test pair of Papa's shorts. Built out of classic red nylon chosen for its ability to slide and not bind to the surfers leg, these trunks are sewn together with a durable 30's size thread. Ive done away with clumsy velcro fastening systems and instead incorporated a fool proof gusseted front fly, simplifying the on and off process without damaging the fabric or the tie-lace. On the back Ive adopted an innovative use of a truly traditional vintage pocket, a style icon drawn from America's rich tapestry of work wear. The specially functional design allows the pocket to expand for your wax without placing stress on the shorts. The sign off will be a woven patch sewn on the front leg in the shape of a classic 1960's D-fin and baring my mark, PAPA NUI.
Whilst my shorts are still far away from the production line, its encouraging for me to see them conceptually sound and I look forward to a
time when I can be shipping out finished goods to my blog supporters and cyber world friends.

Live Life Love Aloha - the Papa

Picked up the long awaited board but my tailor wasn't so efficient, looks like it's the Birdwells in Bali instead.

Beach Buzz.

2011-07-22T02:54:00.000-07:00

Sky Raider getting real low over Vung Tau.

A work in progress.

2011-07-14T19:28:00.000-07:00

The spontaneity of ideas often amazes me at times. Right when Mr BigFish and the Papa are working on the new snub-nose mini simmons collaboration (The Papa Torpedo) for me to take to the East Indies at the end of the month, Rivet Head comes along and posts a teaser about NY clothing company CXXVI. Here I was about to give my new board the olive drab assault make over and lo and behold Im inspired to go in a completely different direction based on the T-shirt graphics perused on the CXXVI site.
Grabbing my pens I worked up an entirely new approach to board graphics. This one is bound to raise some brows in the water. As we speak the Torpedo is being glassed over but for now I thought Id just give you a sneak preview of what's to come, stayed tuned for the real thing shortly.

(Papa Nui and 'Soul Crafted' are copyrighted to the Papa, so don't get any funny ideas)

Snub Nose Hydro Hull.

2011-06-25T01:12:00.000-07:00

Today's postings are definitely an ode to all the great artisans out there in bloggersville some of which fortunately are my friends. Here we have the handy work of Mr Big Fish, the curator of the alley fish fry blogspot and dear friend and confidant of the Papa. As you may remember Mr Fish Fry and the Papa have had a more than a passing fascination with the late 1940's board designs of Bob Simmons. This new collaboration brings all the qualities of WWII US Navy hydrodynamics and blends them into a contemporary adaptation of the hull lift concept.
Snub nosed and barge-like with a 23" wide deck and powered by twin cupped keels this little vehicle is fast, fabulous and capable of amazing feats of maneuverability.
This proto-type will be used as an X-board for another version on the drawing board for the Papa to take over to the East Indies later in the year.
Incidently, also in these photos the Papa is wearing the new Lofgren Japan denim selvege chinos, US Navy denim ball cap and Real McCoys USS Leyte t-shirt.

Vintage Engineer Boots Or Belts?

2011-06-25T00:58:00.001-07:00

Whilst on the topic of belts I must share with you all my most recent of acquisitions.
In a rare lucky streak, Papa Nui entered into a contest held by that most excellent and expert resident blogger, Vintage Engineer Boots. The prize? A fantastic jewelled inlaid and studded belt. A rare thing of beauty indeed, John Villanueva of this blog is truly an artist and man of talent. On top of this John is also a great patriot, Johnny boy much adoration is heaped upon your brow by the Papa, Semper Fi!
Enjoy the photos.

Geronimo by War Path.

2011-06-25T00:04:00.000-07:00

One of the lasting influences of my life has been a facination with Native American Indians, Ive read and absorbed much about them, their culture and art especially being a wealth of reference points for anyone interested in design and style. When Matt of War Path leathers posed the question to me, was I ready for another belt?, I immediately knew where my inspiration would be drawn from.
Referencing a great book I have on Geronimo I adopted a design practice used by the Apache. Indian artisans adorned their leather belts, bridle bits and implements of war with brass tacking studs in patterns akin to the Navajo conchos. I sent Matt my ideas for him to interpret and this week in the mail the most magnificent belt arrived exceeding my expectations with its weathered and battered patina reminiscent of the very harshness of the desert badlands that sheltered the great Apache leader Geronimo.
With the help of 'Giggles'and her camera we captured these shots today to help Matt in hawking his wares.

Lofgren Denims and the Sailor Mokus.

2011-06-22T14:54:00.001-07:00

Years ago John Lofgren and I were in discussions over the collaboration to produce the Papa Nui Marines T-shirt and our conversation eventually turned to all the wonderful possibilities there were to produce great products once you had the right connections and contacts in place. Since then the Lofgren brand has expanded, each time with a new and inspiring take on vintage reproductions. At the time of this dialog John and I talked about the golden years in Hawaii and about the period styling of wearing Sailor Mokus with Aloha shirts. Downtown Honolulu was awash with bright bolts of Japanese fabrics or traditional Hawaiian palaka patterns and the resident genius of a few reknown tailors created a casual shirt that reflected the essence of islands and their relaxed lifestyle. Worn with these shirts was the local flavour of the Sailor Mokus. The nautical trend was the hottest thing in Honolulu in the 1930s and '40s. These nautical-inspired denims were called Mokus a term derived from the Hawaiian word meaning a ship or schooner.
To the market then comes John Lofgrens' denim chino. Unlike most workwear which utilises a midweight 9-10 oz fabric, Lofgren uses a premium 14oz selvege denim in a full cut World War II chino style. In a time of hipster vintage and heritage branding which has sent many companies scrambling to re-invent themselves as the lastest thing unfortunately at the cost of integrity, quality and authenticity, Lofgren has remained stoic and solid, producing garments that are the 'bomb'. This attentiveness to detail and a deep appreciation of the importance of fabrication and manufacture has established John Lofgren at the forefront of the market and way ahead of the pack. John is in for the long haul, so Mokus or Chinos, call them what you will, support John in his efforts and make a purchase through his ebay site or contact him with his seller ID 'shopatspeedway'.

The Burning House.com

2011-06-02T17:14:00.000-07:00

I was partially inspired by Foster Huntington's photo blog and his concept of the Burning House. It's a collective of photos based on what you would take out the door should a fire threaten your property. I've pondered this for several weeks and came to the conclusion that it would be a very very difficult choice as you wouldn't have the time to contemplate a rational decision. However It did take me off onto the tangent of a group of themed items that's partially a product shoot and what might be essential to starting out again.
(click on images for enlarged detail)

The Pacific.

Palm Frond Hat, USMC utility jacket, USMC frog camo headcover, my favourite Hanes t-shirt worn so much its tissue thin, my father's swim trunks purchased in 1949, italian leather sandals, PT Boat Captains lid, Canteen watch, GI collapsible water bucket, Island maiden morale booster photograph, USMC issue blanket, tapa throw and Japanese glass fishing bouys representing the flotsam, jetsam and tides of our lives.

Upstate.

Flea Market finds for Upstate or the Pacific Northwest, Indian Camp Blanket, Pendleton Blanket, Pack Basket, Deer altlers. Early LL Bean plaid mackinaw jacket, 1930's CC Filson hunting vest in duck canvas, 40's Bob Allen double faced hunting pants, 1940's Deer Skin jacket by Gerry's leathergoods Colorado, 1940's buckskin jacket by Sportsclad California, Warehouse Japan plaid hooded athletic jacket, Wesco lace to toe smoke jumpers, Stormy Kramer wool cap with 1940's hunting licence, plains indian beaded possibles bag.

Papa's USMC pleat front 506xx HBT jacket.

2011-05-30T02:29:00.000-07:00

I once read an article with Mr Freedom who stated that often he had imagined garments that 'could have been'. This struck a chord with me as Ive always thought this way too. My inspiration is always WWII. From the hundreds of movies Ive watched and books I've read, Ive been able to ascertain that your average GI was anything but General Issue. Sometimes its subtle, like John Wayne wearing Sperry's in Operation Pacific or more obvious like Henry Blake in MASH with his college sweater and flyvest. Sometimes its a Brooklyn ball cap on an Aviator or a pair of Bass Weejuns on a Naval Lieutenant that personalizes the whole look. I have also been facinated by the way WWII US uniforms drew much of their inspiration from the established outdoor and sporting equipment companies and workwear manufacturers of the era, the likes of Eddie Bauer and LL Bean, it all came down to functional and practical design.
With this in mind I took a logical step from USMC and US Army working utilities and had my tailor make up a pleated blouse based on the late 1930's Levi's 506xx jacket. The HBT came from an after production sale of the film 'the Great Raid', the USMC donut buttons were off eBay and the fantastic double pronged brass cinch buckle came from my good friend Adachi- San in the Levis quality control office in Tokyo.
The single front pocket design I pulled from the P44 USMC ulitily jacket. To me the whole garment makes sense and could quite easily have been Gyrine had the War Production Board contracted Levi Strauss to provide the Corp with a shorter length work jacket, part blouse, part utility, part Vandergrift jacket. For now however it's a Papa exclusive to be worn on early morning recons along the coast searching out the best beach breaks for next weekends surf mission.
(click on photos for enlarged image and detail)

eBay Arghhhhh!

2011-05-26T23:24:00.000-07:00

Have my Buzz Rickson Style Eyes cardigan on eBay. Seller ID hollyrock47. 974 views, 19 watching but no bids! WTF?

Ray Barbee meets the Mattson 2.

2011-05-21T15:27:00.000-07:00

My favourite album of the past few years has been the soundtrack to the surf movie Sprout. The individual tracks laid down here are a perfect mix of contemporary sounds well suited to Saturday afternoons on a balmy summers day. In a effort to find more of the same I traced the some of the liner notes and came up with Ray Barbee meets the Mattson 2. It can only really be described as an eclectic mix of garage surf and 60's jazz. If this is your gig then take the time to have a listen. I got my copy via the Thalia street surfshop on line. Enjoy.

Vintage engineer boots custom belt give away.

2011-05-20T13:27:00.000-07:00

Follow this link to my friend John's blog spot, beside the obvious give away promo John's blog is an amazing passionate look into owning great boots. Check it out.
http://vintageengineerboots.blogspot.com/2011/05/giveaway-studded-and-jeweled-biker-belt.html

Papa's world of living colour.

2011-05-20T03:28:00.000-07:00

My world can be insanely beautiful. Even if the surf is blown out, an hour or two walking along the beach can bring a world of enjoyment. Last Sunday the colour of the water and the light was truly amazing. Giggles captured these few snaps for me to share.

BUZZ RICKSON/ TOYO ENTERPRISES/ STYLE EYES VINTAGE SHOOTING CARDIGAN

2011-05-19T03:25:00.000-07:00

Back in the 90's, Sato-san from Toyoshima denim walked into our Levis Ebisu offices wearing this cardigan. An hour later he walked out in my loggers boots after a successful trading arrangement.
This morning I say good bye to this beautiful garment. The reality is after 12 or 13 years I could probably count the times Ive worn it on a bunch of fingers.
To me it looks like the most perfect replica of an early Bob Allen garment most likely from the 40's. Wool is solid and heavy with a tight gauge. the leather is also top notch. As usual with garments from the Buzz Rickson crew this cardigan is a really beautiful piece and worthy of cooler climes than I can provide. It is virtually brand new and could be considered a minty. Size is a generous 38, but actuals are as follows:
Shoulders 17" chest 42" sleeve 26".
Im putting it out there for my blog friends first on sale at $150 plus postage of $38I'll give it a few days and if no one responds it'll end up on ebay for the masses to fight it out.

Surfing on Ebay with the Papa.

2011-05-08T04:01:00.000-07:00

On behalf on my good friend Mr Big Fish, the Papa is selling a selection of surfboards on Ebay under the seller name Hollyrock47. Something here for all, be it beginner or pro, all shaped by the Big Fish himself, just check out this leviathan sized 10' Quadzilla the ultimate in point break cruisers.

Not this Fraulein, you Nazi swine!

2011-04-30T02:34:00.000-07:00

The board that started it all.

2011-04-30T02:08:00.000-07:00

Photo courtesy of www.williambrownproject.com

Made in Maine.

2011-04-30T02:02:00.000-07:00

Made in Maine single eyelet camp moccasins in Horween leather, I'm in love.

Original Beachboys.

2011-04-30T01:42:00.000-07:00

Sometimes Kelly Kanakoa looked with admiration at Papa Nui, forty-nine years old and still giving the wahines what he called "Papa Nui's surfboard cure for misery."
One afternoon he asked the Papa about his surprising energy, and the dean of beachboys explained: "A man got energy for do four t'ings. Eat, work, surf, or make love. But at one time got stuff for only two. For me, surfin' and makin' love."
"You ever get tired?" Kelly asked.
"SURFIN"? No. I gonna die on an incomin' wave. Wahines? Tell you da trufe, Kelly, sometime for about ten minutes after Moana Loa sail, I don' nevah wanna see da kine wahine no mo', but nex' day wen anudder ship blow anudder whistle, man, I'm strip for action."

excerpt bastardised from James A. Michener's Hawaii 1959

The Papa says...

2011-04-16T15:53:00.001-07:00

There are few things good and noble in the world, and as we age we see less of them, and some nights there are none and on those nights, in the silence, there is the echo of Hemingway.

Papa's PX sale bonanza!

2011-04-14T19:09:00.000-07:00

ALL ITEMS HAVE NOW BEEN MOVED TO EBAY, THANK YOU ALL.

Well troops here's the deal.
The Papa has been over to Taratupa Island (somewhere in the South Pacific) and has been engaged in negotiations with Chief Tali Urulu. It would appear that the wily old Chief is looking for even MORE monetary compensation for the hand of his fair daughter, Giggles. He didn't seem satisfied with my current offer of Tapa Blankets and Taro and is now demanding I make up the dowry in pigs! What price his consent I ask?
Well the Papa needs to call on all his allies to help him raise an extra $1500 and so to rally your support for the pending nuptials the Papa has set up some great and unusually difficult to find items from his PX Quonset hut warehouse and placed them here for sale. So dig deep if you can and be tempted if you will and lets all see if we can't keep the Chief happy.
This is not an auction, its first in best dressed, contact the Papa directly at rocket_ace47@hotmail.com. Any questions please fire away. Postage is never cheap but that is out of the Papa's hands so he apologises upfront however he would like you to consider that he has been on eBay for 11 years now and has been stitched up every which way trying to get parcels delivered to his atoll so he's not making any excuses. Good luck to you all.

NOTICE: All payments please by PAYPAL via my email address. I know this little bunch of items is not going to fetch enough for the Papa to purchase all the little squealers needed to assuage Chief Uluru but he wants to be as fair as possible on price, however if you honestly think it's too good of a bargin then please by all means you can offer more! All Prices are in AUSTRALIA DOLLARS. As you may have noticed the greenback has taken a dive and for the first time since the Papa can remember the good old Aussie buck is worth more than that Seppo currency.

Lets Go!!

From The Real McCoys catalog #2 Comes this awesome Joe McCoy 1920's Brakeman Coat in beautiful Japanese 10 oz Indigo Denim. Oh yes you can see this is going to be painful for the Papa! Catalog price 26,000 yen.
Sale Price: $150
Measurements: Tagged size 40", actuals are shoulders 18.5", chest 44", sleeve 26".
Beautiful patina!
Postage $38.

LVC 506XX Levis 1940's single pocket denim blouse. Nicely broken in.
Sale price $75
Measurements; Tagged size 40". Actuals are shoulders 18.5", chest 42", sleeve 23".
Postage $30

This is a rare one. Before Levis 'engineered' came out of the States, Japan had its own concept. It was loosely based on an unusual pair of jeans that turned up in their archives. It was a white on white tab ( white levis text on white background)and so this became the basis for a super limited line aimed at early adopters. This is the first and only sample of their Coverall Coat. It made from Nishinbo bleached 10oz Canvas and draws its pocket inspiration from the late WWII version of the USMC HBT utility jacket. Has contrasting navy blue bartacking and black wreath donut buttons.
Sale Price $120
Measurements: Size large. Actuals are shoulders 19", chest 46", sleeve 25".
Postage $38

Vintage 'Campus' kelly green cord shirt. Excellent and gorgeous colour.
Measurements: Tagged XL 16-16 1/2.Actuals are shoulders 19", chest 46", sleeve 24".
Sale price $65
Postage $25

Woah!! check this out, very early American life jacket survival vest, yes this is really hurting. The Papa used this one on forays off the sub on moonless nights when exploring the atoll reef breaks. Free size and in wonderful condition, has some spotting but nothing detracts from the rarity of this baby.
Sale price: $100, you can give me more if you must!
Postage $48

Early Midshipmans dixie cup US Navy white cotton hat.Has some discolouration and paint spots but all same a great wearing piece.
Size: fits medium approx 57cm or 7 1/8"
Sale price:$35
Postage $15

WWII Early khaki version of the 'Daisey May' US Army fatigue hat, Minty 7 1/8.
Sale price; $45
Postage $15

1990's RRL by Ralph Lauren corduroy Vintage style outdoorsmans cap, flannel lined, ticket pocket strap at front crown. Size 7 1/8" .These are rare now too and there's idiots on ebay asking for hundreds of dollars, ah but not the Papa!
Sale price: $45
Postage $15

WWII US Army Airforces A-3 mechanics cap. This is a rare one also, its actually light khaki and not green at all which would indicate its a fairly early version, all original and complete with washed out tag and aaf wings and stars stamps.
Size 7 1/8"
Sale Price: $65
Postage $15

Vintage 1940's McGregor Drizzler jacket from the Rye Police NY and shooting pistol club.Amazing patch collection on this super cool jacket dating to the late 40's.
Size 42"
Sale Price $85
Postage $30.

Rats of Tobruk

2011-04-03T15:02:00.000-07:00

On the 70 anniversary of the battle of Tobruk, the Papa salutes those tenacious Australians who stopped Hitlers elite Afrika Korps and for 8 months held Tobruk until re-enforcements arrived, You are my heroes!!

Papa Nui 1945?

2011-04-02T21:53:00.000-07:00

Photo taken off the Mariana Islands 1945, okay okay so it was a couple of weeks ago here down at the beach.

Pandanas Palms.

2011-04-02T20:56:00.000-07:00

So many posts today! Well its raining and miserable but a perfect Sunday for hunkering down and doing all those homebody things we never seem to do. After an early morning start in the surf it was a blessing to get home and in the hot shower. Now its blogging hour and another one of Giggles's photos to show. This image is a Pandanas Palm Tree which abound here on the coast. It's sculptural form makes it one of the Papa's favourites and Giggles's lens makes it even better.

Navajo code talkers South Pacific.

2011-04-02T20:47:00.000-07:00

Navajo 'windtalkers' ham it up for the press on a island somewhere in the South Pacific. Their contibution to victory was enormous even if the media couldn't help itself to stereotype these heroes.

Revealed.

2011-04-02T20:40:00.001-07:00

Okay so here she is, one of my favourite photos of Giggles and the Papa.

Papa's world.

2011-04-02T20:22:00.000-07:00

Papa's light is his partner, the glamorous girl of giggles. These two beautiful images were Papa's birthday gift, but the real gift here is how 'Giggles' sees the world around us. The location of these shots is only 2.5km's away from our abode and yet you could swear blind that it was taken at Papa's mythical island hideaway.

Third Reich Erotica.

2011-04-02T18:29:00.000-07:00

Ahh geez what do you want me to say, The Papa has a thing for vintage pulp cover art, and there's nothing like a bit of Third Reich Erotica to get the blood flowing!
Why is it however that in these illustrations the victims are always busty 1960's-esque girls? Where did all the WWII period Frauleins go?

Deck Watch.

2011-04-02T18:27:00.000-07:00

Just a great photo in that fabulous WWII colour what more can I say?

Parallel Lines

2011-04-02T18:14:00.000-07:00

Tyler Warren surfer 2011, draws inspiration from another era, Stacy Peralta skateboarder 1975.

Real McCoys A-2 Russet Brown.

2011-03-24T23:42:00.000-07:00

I haven't made a decision as yet but I was toying with selling my gorgeous horsehide A-2 that was made for me by the Real McCoys back in their heyday. Im curious to see what you think its worth or what you may be prepared to pay for it? As you can tell its about as perfect as one can imagine and would certainly make someone very happy. Post me with your thoughts, regards the Papa.

Vintage tea timers for sale.

2011-03-15T03:52:00.000-07:00

A few vintage tea timers for sale on ebay this week and a nice Sun Surf men's hawaiian too, check them out. Seller ID hollyrock47

Frog camo WWII USMC Vans

2011-03-12T19:23:00.000-08:00

Everything I ever want exists in Japan, arrgh!

Warrior in swim trunks.

2011-03-06T03:04:00.000-08:00

During WWII the US Navy recruited it's first underwater demolition teams from the small community of surfers of Southern California's coast.
This magnificent photo comes from US Navy War Photographs published by US Camera and compiled by Edward Steichen USNR and was originally posted by www.Thewilliambrownproject.com

Fish Fry #5.

2011-03-05T18:45:00.000-08:00

This morning was the 5th annual Alley Fish Fry and the Papa wanted to share the four most beautiful things he saw there. A deliciously colored dark caramel mini simmons, a giant olo honed from a single trunk, Grant Newby's 10ft root beer hued homage to Bob Simmons and this beautiful translucent blue D- powered log.

Papa's Big Ebay Sale.

2011-03-03T20:28:00.000-08:00

So I've given in and listed a whole bunch of stuff on ebay, I know some of you will be quite interested so I thought you should have a 'heads up'. Look for my seller id, HOLLYROCK47.

A Papa for Victory!

2011-02-17T14:52:00.001-08:00

Papa On The War Path.

2011-02-06T00:28:00.000-08:00

Many of you are familiar with WARPATH Leathers, it seems to be one of those blogs that appears in just about everybodys watch list. Matt of Warpath makes great belts and the Papa decided to extend his patronage and have a custom belt done. Unlike the Japanese versions where perfection is key, Matt's style in leather is rugged, raw and tough and reminds me of campaign made items turned out by resourceful Sea Bees, Sailors and Marines during the Pacific War. In honour of this tradition the Papa set his new belt against a battered old pair of 5th Marine Division HBT's.
Check Matt out at;
Warpathleathergoods.blogspot.com

Sailors, Old Salts and Celestial Seafarers.

2011-01-25T01:14:00.000-08:00

Many years ago I was fortunate enough to find myself in the South Beaches of Los Angeles where I stumbled on the Laguna Beach Art Museum on the Pacific Coast Highway. The Museum was hosting a particularly interesting exhibition, the 'Eye Tattoo America',curated by none other than Ed Hardy himself(fortunately pre-Christian Audigier). This exhibition was a celebration of the American Tattoo as folk art and so in validating this angle there was an amazing assemblage of traditional ink flashes and vintage photographs from the genres masters including Sailor Jerry but it also explored how tattooing had influenced art, both fine and low-brow and so there was a roll call of talented painters, sculptors and wood carvers.
I had originally conceived this piece as a tangent line of how and why alternate contemporary surfers have adopted a mantle akin to their seafaring brethren, sailors, seamen and the like as I believed this link would reveal the origins of the beards and anchor tattoos that are now au de rigour out in the lineup these days. The logic to me was obvious; Nautical themed art show amidst a prominent surfing community, it wouldn't take long for the forward thinking kids to establish their own thread.
However while exploring the artists that were featured in this show, I came across the website of George Klauba. George was inspired by his uncle Roman Rokuizo, a WWII sailor who survived a Kamakazi which attacked and sunk his ship the Destroyer USS Reed in the shark infested waters of the Philippine Sea in 1944. Following his uncles footsteps George joined the Navy in 1956 and served until his discharge where he began a career as a commercial artist in Chicago. Disillusioned he began to explore the fine arts and used his seafaring experience as a major source of inspiration for his work. His portfolio can be viewed at www.georgeklauba.com. Of note is his WWII series as well as Moby Dick and his Celestial Voyages.
I vaguely remember seeing some of his works at the exhibition but as this was back in about 1995 everything seemed a little hazy now. Upon this rediscovery I decided to skip the surfing analogy and just post my favourite works of George Klauba for you to enjoy.

Stylehound Matt Chojnaki.

2011-01-20T01:03:00.000-08:00

Matt Chojnaki from Sydney is a regular viewer of the Papa's blog and as this photo attests he's in possession of one very styling bottom turn!

Papa Nui Squadron F-80's

2011-01-09T03:07:00.000-08:00

The Papa loves the dawn of the jet age, especially the Lockheed F-80, it's sleek and yet naive design appeals to my pre-sonic boom era sensibilities. Imagine my surprise when I found the Papa Nui Squadron lined up and ready to defend civilization from the commie threat in the Red East.

Dazzling style.

2011-01-07T12:14:00.000-08:00

I know this picture has been reposted numerous times but when I talk about the nature of inspiration, this is exactly what I mean. As a 'creative' type I am constantly trying to apply my point of view to everything I do. In this case the fabulous concept of vintage naval dazzle camouflage has been adapted to a contemporary canoe. Now what do you think the Papa could do with this idea and a surfboard?

Papa Nui; Xmas day on the coast.

2010-12-25T01:19:00.000-08:00

This Xmas morning it rained flatout, a true tropical deluge, what to do? Go to the beach of course and wear my USN rain parka.
Merry Xmas to you all!!!

Nisei greaser!

2010-12-25T01:11:00.000-08:00

Pre-dating Rockabilly by about 13 years, This greased up Nisei teenager plays his guitar in the barracks at Manzanaar Relocation camp circa 1942.

Why Alex Knost is King.

2010-12-25T00:46:00.001-08:00

In an era of mechanical professional surfing its refreshing to know that there are individuals out there who understand that style is everything. In this study Alex Knost channels the true essence of surfing meets skateboarding. For those of you that remember this photo is eerily reminiscent of those from Skateboarder Magazine circa 1975.

Black Cats and French Bulldogs.

2010-12-18T02:21:00.000-08:00

Coral Creepers.

2010-12-18T02:16:00.000-08:00

Papa's legacy unearthed.

2010-12-18T01:07:00.000-08:00

As a family we used to go to the beach all the time and some of my fondest memories are when I think back to sitting under the huge striped canvas umbrella. My brothers and I would make fun of our father who loved the beach but was never much of a swimmer. To get him to take his singlet off was a major effort but when the Casbens came out, wow that was a big deal! Dad had walked into David Jones, one of Sydney's premier department stores back in 1948 and bought his Casben swim shorts and they remained forever the stuff of family legend. I remember them on family holidays all throughout the late 1960's and also when my parents took me on coastal surfing adventures in the mid to late 70's up the north coast and into Queensland. They were forever present, rarely used for anything more than sitting on his towel and for the life of me I can't ever remember them getting wet.
Last weekend two of my brothers went over to Mum and Dad's house to help them spring clean the place and so I put them up to the task of unearthing the Casbens.
Mission accomplished! And now, 62 years on the Casbens are in my possession and ready for a whole new summer ahead.

Papa Nui Brings the Pacific to Unionville Sweden.

2010-12-18T00:45:00.000-08:00

Lofgren Tradition Garments and Papa Nui brings their great collaboration to Unionville in Sweden. For all of you over there in the cold of wintery Europe, buy a Papa T-shirt and feel the tropical warmth of the Pacific envelop your shoulders.

Neptunus Rex validates the Papa.

2010-12-15T02:10:00.000-08:00

Avast ye mateys! Be it known to all Sailors, Soldiers, Marines, Landlubbers, Park Statues, Box Car Tourists, Politicians and others who may be honored by his presence that PAPA NUI has been gathered into the fold: has been duly initiated into the many mysteries of the order of the deep and shall henceforth and forever enjoy our royal protection. Be it further known that by virtue of the power vested in me by all living things of the sea, I do hereby command my subjects, the mermaids, sea serpents, dolphins, skates, eels, whales, sharks and all other denizens of the deep to abstain from maltreating his person should he fall into the Sea.
Disobey this order under penalty of my Royal Displeasure.
DAVEY JONES his majesty's royal scribe.
NEPTUNUS REX ruler of the raging main.

Saga Boy

2010-12-11T23:34:00.000-08:00

Hula Ink

2010-12-09T13:37:00.000-08:00

Inked up Hula style in the great tradition of our mariner forefathers.

Nisei Japanese Amercian cool 1942

2010-12-04T16:11:00.000-08:00

Certainly one of my favourite photos by Dorothea Lange taken in 1942. This goes a long way to show that not much is new. Engineers boots and big selvage cuffs that predate every style icon we though we had.

Beyond the Reef.

2010-12-03T02:02:00.000-08:00

Tulagi or Bust, Surfcraft strikes in the Pacific.

2010-11-27T18:49:00.000-08:00

Inspiration is surely a strange thing. Recently at a surf market event in Byron, Paul McNeil artist in residence at ZED surfboards showed me their new Zed Knob vehicle. Sighting the obvious omage to Papa Nui I was quite flattered at this unique resin job with its recognizable military overtones.
However as I was standing there, in my mindseye I instantly saw a sunbleached coral airstrip in the South Pacific and a row of battered and faded planes, weathered by the harsh light, salt and tropical rain. Each machine kept servicable by dedicated aviation mechanics who would salvage wrecks for usable parts to keep em flying in the most adverse of conditions. These 'frankenstein' warbirds would be ready at a moments notice to sweep the skies clear of Nippons finest.
With this vision in my head I found the inspiration for board aesthetics to come. Im seeing my new craft in this light with Paul McNeil's 'panel-fade' art work. Perhaps its the Olive of a battered P-39 or the salt stained USN Grey of a motor patrol torpedo boat hiding up a mangrove tributary within stiking distance of the 'Slot'.

Sea = Zed.

2010-11-27T17:35:00.000-08:00

Dain Thomas the Houdini of hulls.

Sea Surfboards and the Cell space in Byron Bay's industrial area was for all but a brief moment the centre of surfing's alter universe. Riding high on the redefinition of old skool is the new skool or that there really isn't a skool at all, the Sea team, consisting of Dain Thomas, Matt Yates and Paul McNeil toyed with the concept that the surf vehicle can be a functional tool as well as a piece of art. Their hulled bottom single finned logs were nothing less than beautiful with a style, grace and aesthetic which to the appreciative eyed approached perfection. Alas all glory is fleeting and so with the demise of the original partnership a re-birth was conceived in the guise of ZED.
Zed's mantra is to keep the concept tight with small runs of specialty products aimed at the discerning surfer.
With a new team at the helm each partner brings talent and an entrepreneurial spirit to the fore front. Dain Thomas is the master shaper who learnt his craft under the tutorage of the legendary Bob McTavish. Paul McNeil is the art director with a high profile presence that stretches back to when Mambo was anything but an old fart joke. Today his signature splatter style resin board art has spread across the globe.Finally there's Brent Wayland with his model playboy goodlooks and talent for conceptualising a garment range that is the sartorial equivilent of Dain's boardshaping.
This is Zed, follow them on facebook 'ZED surf' and hop on now before the bandwagon leaves the garage.

ZED selection, log, sea biscuit and zed knob.

Z-knob with a colour job that only the Papa could inspire.

Papa gets a brand new coconut.

2010-11-27T17:24:00.001-08:00

I looked and looked but no messages from JFK or the crew from PT-109.

John Swope USN war photographer Japan Assignment.

2010-11-24T15:01:00.000-08:00

John Swope was one of the first American photographers to land in Tokyo directly after the surrender of Japan in August 1945. His official assignment for the USN was to cover the release of allied prisoners from POW camps located around the Tokyo area, specifically Omori and then onto Nagoya and Sendai.His portraits show the special aura of the liberated GI's who were defeated but not destroyed.For the Papa these individuals, each with their own unique sense of personal style redefine the term 'grace under pressure'.
POW MIA you are not forgotten.

Papa Nui Says....

2010-11-20T12:17:00.000-08:00

One God One Country One Fin.

Papa Nui and the time space continuum.

2010-11-16T01:28:00.000-08:00

'60 year old technology, contemporary application.'
photo by Michael Sanglio via hydrodynamica.

In surfing I denounce the corporate that shapes the 'sport', pays for the performance and pushes the message that wins over the vulnerable and the unquestioning. In fashion it is much the same I distance myself from the seasonal rubbish and the homogenized cool.
I make parallels here to both, because each is an extension of who I am and representative of my individuality. And yet we all must live in the moment and be a part of the greater experience of society. How then is this achieved and how is it possible to stay true to ourselves without disconnecting or going underground? I believe it's the ability to live in your own space and create a spacial awareness that is your own reality.
Surfing for me is to feel a deeper connection, an awareness of it's rich cultural heritage. I see myself as a node on a tangent line that begins back in the Hawaiian islands at a time of Polynesian royalty and so I choose to ride boards whose designs break free of contemporary restraint, they are my instruments, freeform projectiles from which I create my own version of reality. Each board has it's own identity and idiosyncrasies and must be ridden in a certain manner, but all must be surfed in the conditions of the day amongst waves shared by other surfers. Even so, my boards and I exist almost exclusively in my own space as it's a reality that only I could create, a space every bit as individual and complex as myself. In this space I draw phosphorescence lines that leave a wake stretching back a millennium. I like it this way, it provides a purely individualist approach to something that is as common as high street fashion. It's my take, a projection of something deeper inside of me, it's my style and that's all that matters.

Tales of the South Pacific Hard Cover 1947

2010-11-16T00:48:00.000-08:00

After wearing out several soft cover versions of my favourite book I finally secured a first edition hard cover of Tales of the South Pacific published in 1947. At the beach over the weekend Mrs Papa snapped this great little shot.

James "Chubby" Mitchell.

2010-10-16T02:26:00.000-07:00

Chubby Mitchell's de-lightful touch at Makaha, circa late 1950's

I have lots of favourite surfing photos but this one is a stand out. There's a light-footed grace which speaks volumes about the essence of style.
Chubby Mitchell was a Hawaiian that moved to California in the early 50's and lived near Manhattan beach. Chubby was 5'7" played football for San Jose State College and was a superb athlete even though he weighed in at 285lbs. He was a jazz lover who was known for his cross stepping, nose riding, an enormous appetite, sharp wittedness and elegant ukulele playing. There's something about this photo that inspires me to want to strip back everything superfluous and to focus purely on the quintessence and soul of the foam dance.

Tropical decor the Papa way.

2010-10-14T18:12:00.000-07:00

The Papa loves Orchids.

Sketches from the Front line 1943 number 9.

2010-10-14T15:27:00.000-07:00

Sketches from the Front line 1943 number 8.

2010-10-14T15:22:00.001-07:00

Day dreaming in the islands and remembering that first day in 'life drawing class'.

Sketches from the Front line 1943 number 7.

2010-10-14T15:13:00.000-07:00

And after the war has finished what of peacetime..

Sketches from the Front line 1943 number 6.

2010-10-14T14:43:00.000-07:00

"Huh cheap white labour, him fella no good longa Angua-boy"

Sketches from the Front line 1943 number 5.

2010-10-14T14:24:00.000-07:00

Fashions in the Field, via Solomon Islands 1943

Zoot suiting the army way!
Man oh man,
Lamp this sadistic cape with the murderous drape
Shoulders a' swagger knees all a' bagger.

1943 Fashion colours, Olive, Khaki, Rust Khaki, Khaki Khaki

Despatch Rider or Catwalk Fashion?

Sketches from the Front line 1943 number 4.

2010-10-14T14:22:00.000-07:00

Sketches from the Front line 1943 number 3

2010-10-14T14:14:00.000-07:00

Some members have of course been preparing themselves for the 'after struggle' for sometime.

Post War occupation.....you have nothing to fear girls the concert piano awaits you.

Sketches from the Front line 1943 number 2.

2010-10-14T14:09:00.000-07:00

Difficulty in sending and recieving messages in the Signal Corp.

Sketches from the Front line 1943

2010-10-14T14:01:00.000-07:00

Home for Xmas

The Papa Sale is On Now!

2010-10-01T17:13:00.000-07:00

Ok fans here we go. Im posting my goodies all of which I purchased whilst living in Tokyo 1996-2000, Many now are quite collectible and so Ive asked a very fair price for them I believe. As this is not an auction I guess its first in best dressed so the first email I recieve requesting the item wins that garment. As far as shipping goes its impossible to be exact so I'll charge a flat $25 and send to anywhere in the world using airmail unless you specify otherwise. My email is rocket_ace47@hotmail.com and so is my PAYPAL account. All prices are in US dollars.

Item 1. SOLD
Skull Jeans Yellow Sweat shirt size 40" Great cotton sweat, vintage box shape with wide ribbing very clean and hardly worn bought in Daikanyama at their store.
Price $50.

Item 2. SOLD
Barns Japan White sweatshirt with USMC AVIATION spray print, size marked as 40"-42", square boxy shape, a little grimey at collar but in good condition.
Price $30.

Item 3. SOLD
Allen & Hanson workshirt in unbrushed flannel twill. A fabulous re-make of a Big Yank style workshirt. This was bought from the Emporium which is a bizarre little store in the back streets of Harajuku behind Meji Dori and Otamosando. Allen & Hanson from what I can understand is a collaboration label between Evis and Take five and Emporium in a way that only the Japanese can really appreciate. The Papa was just confused but bought the shirt anyway. Size is marked 40" and condition is excellent with cool detailing.
Price $75

Item 4. SOLD

Real McCoys 8Hour Union sanforized chambray workshirt. Fantastic original McCoys shirt in vintage grained chambray super tight weave with a snappy character, condition is excellent. Styling is similar to a WWII USN shirt. Triple stitched felled seams, side gussets, Navy plastic buttons. Size marked Large 16.
Price $100.

Item 5. SOLD

My favourite Real McCoys 8Hour Union chambray workshirt. This ones a beauty! Cotton and linen chambray mix which creates a very textured appeal with a distinctly vintage appeal, very 1930's effect. Great pocket details, twin stitched felled seams, side gussets, union made tag etc. This shirt shows why the McCoys at this time was the absolute best. Tagged a size 16-16 1/2.
Price $120.

Item 6.

Original 1940's super tight weave fine poplin,'Aerocrat' shirt. Military-esque design with epaluetes and anchor buttons. At one time appears to have had 'change' buttons. Beautiful qualtity with the finest stitching Ive ever seen, amazing manufacture that makes you realise the state of the art in those times. Dark navy blue this poplin has plenty of Pop! Size unmarked but will fit a 40"
Price $60.

Item 7. SOLD

Cushman of Japan Boiled wool sweater. Magnificent navy military sweater in a heavy wool styled after a vintage 1940's althetic sweatshirt with sweeping gusset insert and wide bask. Yellow/Gold felt sewn on lettering of a Military Signals Unit. Essential for the uncoming winter, Buy it Now!! Condition is excellent with only minor pilling. Size unmarked but 40"-42" sizing.
Price $110.

Item 8.

68 & Brothers New York City. Purchased this great WWII US Army pull over workshirt from Backdrop in Shibuya back in the day when 68 were getting established. Strange that so many people think this is all new but the truth is these brands have been at it a very long time. This shirt is perfect for doing KP duty in style, think Montgomery Cliff in 'From Here To Eternity'. Cotton linen mix with a slub texture. Size Medium to fit a 40" chest, condition is excellent rarely worn.
Price $70.

Item 9.

Real McCoys 8Hour Union canvas engineers railman pants. Heavy duck canvas work pants styled after vintage Carhartt I believe. Super rugged and tough and a great look with double knees, worn a little shorter with loggers boots these are perfect for traversing the urban forest. Size 34" waist, inleg is 27". Washed up with a nice patina, condition is excellent barr one broken stitching at pocket corner.
Price $90.

Item 10.

Real McCoys Military Division, HBT WWII US Army pants. Nice item I bought from the original McCoys store in Daikanyama. Waist is a size 36" and inleg is a shorter 23 1/2". These are a true vintage fit with a very deep rise and wider legs. I used to wear these in winter so I could tuck in a sweater and then wear a navy wool work jacket over the top, A-1 Mechanics beanie and my loggers boots. Wearing them short was a styling tip I got from a 20's photo taken up in Washington State where the lumberman had his pants half way up his 12" calked boots
Price $70.

Laurels for Lofgren

2010-09-29T15:03:00.000-07:00

We take it for granted that the Japanese are the only ones out there doing great reproductions however this is not always the case. Of late there's been some great additions to the market place by companies around the world including Rising Sun Jeans in Pasadena and even Pike Brothers in Germany but for me hats off goes to John Lofgren of Lofgren Traditional Garments in Sendai Japan. For a Gaijin to make any impact in the zenophobic closed shop that is Japan is amazing, to take on the Japanese at their own game is even more courageous. For me my money is on Johnny-boy! The stuff that he has started to produce is really great and certainly worthy of wardrobe space in our closets, what's even better is through his store the Speedway Shop you can purchase online and he will send it across the globe. In admiration of his achievements I wrote a little spiel about his gig. Enjoy and thank you, The Papa.

A California native and long time resident of Japan, John Lofgren is the creative force behind Lofgren Traditional Garments.
John’s vision for a brand began when he first ventured into a thrift store in the early 1980’s and sensed a deep connection with the style and quality of another time, a time when substance and tradition were considered important and pride was taken in craftsmanship and excellence.
The Lofgren brand embodies these values, timeless, traditional and superior, like an old pair of blue jeans. It’s about garments designed for a customer who understands the difference between fashion and eternal style, who recognises the graceful fading of indigo or the gentle patina of time on an old leather jacket. It’s a brand that connects the customer to an exclusive circle between the designer, textile maker and craftsman and allows for a rugged individualism in the wearing of the product.
Drawing inspiration from 19th to mid 20th century American style and an archive of original vintage items, Lofgren Traditional Garments handcraft their classic and enduring products in Japan using artisans to construct a collection that has a sense of history underpinned by the highest level of quality in manufacture and materials.

Funding the Julian Boots. A Papa Sale?

2010-09-27T00:07:00.000-07:00

Friends of the Papa, your ear for a moment if I may.
In thinking of ways to fund a pair of custom Julian loggers boots I was wondering is it worth posting a bunch of my stuff here for you to view and perhaps buy or should I go to ebay? I have a bunch of early McCoys shirts from the mid 90's, all their catalogs dating back to before their bound volumes, A Buzz Rickson nylon L2b in olive drab with a Bell experimental patch, McCoys duck work pants and an assortment of other vintage goodies. Im just time poor at present and the listing process on ebay is such a drag.

40's Aviator sunglasses.

2010-09-26T04:44:00.001-07:00

My 1940's aviators really set off the USN herringbone cap I had made whilst away in the Indian Ocean. Im thinking these are perhaps American Optics 18K G/F, a little more interesting than your straight up Ray Bans eh?

Lace to Toe Julian Smoke Jumpers.

2010-09-05T03:56:00.000-07:00

These Julian handmade boots would have to be one of the most magnificent things Ive seen in a long long while. I know they're bound to cost a fortune but Im thinking I've just got to have a pair. Does anyone know his contact details? Through Rising Sun Jeans perhaps?

Teenage Ingenuity.

2010-09-04T16:10:00.000-07:00

Despite my pleas my son went ahead and got his first ink. Although I wish he hadn't I was also secretly pleased that he at least chose a Sailor Jerry flash. In his efforts to be able to wear shoes without rubbing, Chip came up with this solution, "Van-e-drilles" I suggested, "no Vans Homme" he counted.

John Ford Style Icon

2010-08-28T02:10:00.000-07:00

My good friend Federico Hill and I often discuss our favourite war movies, there's so many, but for me its usually the early 40's flicks because I love the character actors who seem to turn up in every film like William Bendix, Lionel Stander, George Tobias, Lloyd Nolan and Preston Foster and there's always a guy from Texas and the cabbie from Brooklyn and the young kid from the mid west. The best of these for me is 'Guadalcanal Diary' but for Federico its all about 'They were Expendable', a great early PT boat drama starring John Wayne and Robert Montgomery and directed by John Ford. Above is the most fantastic stylin' photo ever of John Ford on the set of this movie wearing his G-l jacket. I had to share it with you all, its a beauty!
Below is a couple of stills from the movie and under these is a rare look at some early production sketches that were done in 1942.

Padang Padang Cup 2010 pre-party.

2010-08-22T20:00:00.000-07:00

So anyways hanging around the beach we met up with some crew that took us off to a pre-party for the contestants of the Rip Curl Padang Padang Cup surf contest. After a great free BBQ we settled down to watch a movie on the grassy slopes of a villa overlooking the famed Uluwatu reef break. The Papa snapped off a couple of night shots of the screen and was pleasantly surprised by the results.

Another perfect day in Seminyak.

2010-08-22T19:53:00.000-07:00

For 21 days in a row the trade winds blew straight up from the roaring forties and marched southwest across the Indian ocean pushing iridescent swell lines pulsating towards the coastline to peel and crash against dark volcanic sands, right outside my hotel door!

Gilligans island?

2010-08-22T19:45:00.000-07:00

Wandering along the beach last week I came across the amenities block for the Legian Beach Hotel and couldn't help but to make parallels to Gilligan's and the Skipper's Hut, well albeit a little more glamourous. I think it was the life preservers that provided the visual associations to the S.S Minnow.

Holiday style the Papa way.

2010-08-20T19:11:00.000-07:00

The Papa is home!
Be it a grass skirt for the folks back home, a boars tooth bracelet for a sweetheart back in Pearl or a hand hammered silver Shilling ring for that nurse on Tulagi, you can rest assured that there was a resourceful, enigmatic and entrepreneurial sea bee, sailor or marine that could put his hand to the manufacture of accouterments to enhance his government issue kit.
In the true spirit of the fictional South Pacific Sea Bee Luther Billis 144th USNCB unit, the Papa has been busy.
Ah yes show me a third world tailor and watch the sparks of creativity fly. In an eternal effort to create the perfect summer beach kit the Papa came up with some new items including beach pillows, 40's style trunks and his fave piece a version of the rare BA-2 USN deck cap which during the war was an experimental garment under limited release and was available only in indigo denim.