LeDandy (of Northern California)

Vintage Fashion Photo

2012-02-12T08:30:00.000-08:00

LeDandy has a great eye for fashion shots of a suggestive nature. I found this beauty in a European fashion magazine from the late 1980s. A time when tattoos and piercings weren't rampant and when men were men (well, for the most part!).

February Frivolity

2012-02-09T02:44:00.000-08:00

LeDandy was seized with inspiration the other day. I had on my orange corduroy pants and decided to liven things up a bit. For some flair, I added a pair of Broadland opera pumps and checkered black, white and grey socks. I tempered this flamboyant look with a navy cotton/cashmere cardigan. Boring old man in the upper body and excitement down below.

Fighting the Winter Blues

2012-02-07T07:02:00.000-08:00

By exercise. I grant you that the San Francisco Bay area has a very mild winter. No snow and the temperature is usually above fifty-five degrees.* Nevertheless, the short days and grey weather can be a bit depressing. Also, this is the time of the year that colds and viruses run rampant. I've been lucky in this regard as of the past few years.

LeDandy strictly abides by his workout schedule. It is a little tougher in winter, having to get up when it's dark. The results are worth it though. Discipline. That's what is needed.

As I've written before, I don't listen to music or have any distractions when I use the elliptical machine. I'll go for a half hour or thirty-five minutes in silence. It is my own form of meditation. Weightlifting is different. On those days I listen to radio talk shows on podcast. Bill Handel on KFI is my favorite.

Fitness is a major component of dandyism.
________
*for centigrade, figure it out yourself.

Online Shopping

2012-02-04T07:29:00.001-08:00

Last week I felt a need to re-read The Talbot Odyssey by Nelson DeMille. I read back in the 80s and it was an excellent novel about Cold War intrigue and double agents. Yes, it is definitely dated given the way things turned out. Nevertheless I do remember liking the characters in the book. DeMille can be an excellent writer. Unfortunately many of his other novels aren't that good. Some are downright awful.

Back to the topic. Online shopping. I found the book online with Amazon and paid $3.17 for the book with shipping. Many people object to Amazon as they like to support their local stores. Sorry, but I'll shop for the best deal wherever that may be. This may not mean the best price for there are other factors to consider (e.g., shopping experience, customer service, return policy).

Customer loyalty needs to be earned. Businesses can do it in a numbers of ways. Even though I like to get a great price, I'll pay a little more for superior customer service and a pleasant shopping experience. For purchasing the The Talbot Odyssey, Amazon proved the best deal.

Zombies and Their iPhones

2012-02-02T12:40:00.001-08:00

Zombies. That is what they are to me. People who walk or drive while having their heads face down into their iPhones. It is dangerous and stupid. Then there are the people who sit with others at meetings or a meal while playing with their iPhones (or similar device).

I worry about the idiots who text while driving. Not for them but for the innocent people who may get hurt by their reckless action. Then there are those who just endanger themselves, like those who cross an intersection on foot while texting.

Consider LeDandy old-fashioned. When I am out in public I pay attention to my environment.

Best Foot Forward

2012-01-30T19:17:00.000-08:00

In this case it is my right foot. I realize that I haven't put up too many fashion posts recently. There are reasons. It is winter and I don't feel like coming up with new outfits. Also, the theme this winter is attention to footwear and eyewear. Everything else be damned.

Mondays can be depressing. I fight this feeling by wearing some bright socks. It usually works.

Many say that khaki pants shouldn't be paired with black shoes. This combination proves that assertion wrong.

Looking Good

2012-01-28T19:46:00.000-08:00

I noticed this great photo in an Italian men's fashion magazine from the mid 80s. If this doesn't inspire you to stay in shape, I don't know what will.

The Tiger in the Senate

2012-01-27T15:38:00.000-08:00

I just added an amazing item to my ephemera collection. It is a short letter dated 1962 from Senator Wayne Morse of Oregon to Joseph Duke, the Senate sergeant at arms. A long time ago I read a biography of him entitled "The Tiger in the Senate: The Biography of Wayne Morse." Sen. Morse was a true maverick. He was one of two senators to vote against Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, the bill which gave Pres. Johnson the power to wage war in Vietnam. The other senator was Ernest Gruening of Alaska.

Before I get started on a political history lesson, I'll check myself and direct you to some good material on the internet if you are interested. The Wayne Morse Center for Law and Politics at the University of Oregon has some wonderful information on the senator. His vote on the Tonkin Gulf Resolution proved costly to him as he narrowly lost his Senate seat in 1968. It was the price of principle over politics.

The letter I acquired is addressed to Joseph Duke. I found an interesting biography of Mr. Duke on the U.S. Senate website. He had a colorful life, starting as a police officer in Arizona and resulting in a fifteen year service as the Senate's sergeant at arms until 1965.

Deciphering English Silver Hallmarks

2012-01-25T09:43:00.000-08:00

LeDandy is more than just a fan of the Three Stooges and low vamp footwear. Today I take a departure in a different direction. In my last post I showed the hallmarks on JD's antique sovereign holder from 1905. In a token attempt at a cultural post, I'll show you how to decipher the codes on British silver.

Here are the hallmarks along with a category for each symbol.

In this example, the codes mean the following:

I found two excellent resources for English hallmarks. One is the Online Encyclopedia of Silver Marks, Hallmarks and Makers' Marks. This site covers not only English marks but many other countries. Another reference is Hallmarks of English Silver which has incredible depth in its research.

What does a London hallmark look like? It is a leopard's head, either crowned or uncrowned. My pince-nez eyeglass case was made in London. As you can see, the leopard's head (third from left) shows much wear.

Be warned. If you are a straight man, you shouldn't know too much about silver.

Silver Tchochkies: The English Sovereign Holder

2012-01-22T10:43:00.000-08:00

LeDandy does buy gifts for others. For Christmas I bought JD an English silver sovereign holder from the turn of the twentieth century. This device was used by both genders to carry gold sovereigns in a civilized manner. Oh, the British. Now we put coins in our pockets.

Sovereign holders are hard to find here in the US. I had to get mine on eBay from a British seller. Full retail is about three times the average price on eBay. This one is in very good condition and doesn't have any dings or serious blemishes. There are initials on the faceplate. For me, personalization of items enhances the value if done in a tasteful manner. It adds character and history.

The hallmarks are inside this piece. But what is most striking is the guilloche pattern floating holder for the sovereigns. An internal spring keeps the holder in position. It can probably hold three coins at most.

Oh yes, the reverse.

The hallmarks indicate it was made in Taiwan circa 1995. No. It was actually made by Martin Hall & Co, Birmingham, England in 1905.

Streaming Movies

2012-01-19T09:51:00.001-08:00

Last week I got fed up with commercial tv. We have cable and I couldn't find much to watch over the weekend. The Kardashians, Jersey Shore and commercials for prostate medication. I couldn't stomach any more of this excrement.

So we decided to go with the streaming movie phenomenon. JD ordered and set up a Roku box for our tv and we can now download movies from Netflix. The only downside is that the movie selection is more limited than that for dvd.

My first choice last night was the 1974 movie "The Last Detail" with Jack Nicholson. Unfortunately it was only on dvd so my next selection was the 1986 movie "Working Girls." It was a pretty good movie and quite realistic. I didn't realize it was so old until they mentioned the prices.

January is a cold rainy month here in northern California. This weekend I'll have my movies and hot chocolate. Sort of takes the sting out of winter.

LeDandy's (Upcoming) Birthday Gift

2012-01-18T16:41:00.000-08:00

LeDandy, your humble servant, had a rather unique gift request for his birthday: a sterling silver eyeglass case. After exhaustive research, which was a blast, I decided upon this case made in London in 1909. The measurements seemed right and the case appeared to be in very good condition. A small ding on the back and some surface scratches but otherwise fine. Most antique silver eyeglass cases have a fair number of condition issues.

It is important to see the hallmark on silver. On this case, the hallmarks are both on the front and back of the case. I found a good reference on the web for researching hallmarks. According to the site, my case was made by Sampson Mordan.

I did not buy this case so it could sit in a cabinet. I am using it to store my pince-nez. My hoop springs fit inside perfectly.

This birthday gift combined my love for silver tchotchkies with my love for pince-nez. A match made in heaven! Thanks JD for the great gift.

An Antique Case for Antique Glasses

2012-01-15T08:00:00.000-08:00

LeDandy has been thrilled with his silver octagonal glasses circa 1850. I was a little hesitant to wear straight temples as I once had an unfortunate experience with a Lunor frame. However the fit is great and they are quite comfortable. Just one problem emerged: I did not have a practical case to use. The case that came with the glasses is gorgeous. Unfortunately it is quite fragile and not suited for everyday use. I'm surprised this case has survived in such great shape.

Finding an eyeglass case should be an easy matter. Every household must have at least five unused eyeglass cases. A problem emerged. The length of the glasses was six and a quarter inches, a quarter inch beyond the largest case in our house. Blame the straight temples. These glasses need a magnum sized case.

I searched for an eyeglass case to buy with an open end, similar to some Lunor cases. This would solve the length problem. Unfortunately Lunor cases would not be snug enough given the dimensions of their cases. So I searched. And searched. I couldn't find a contemporary case so I looked for antiques.

Finally I found a pair of sturdy tubular eyeglass cases which must be at least 150 years old. They are much more rugged than the original case and the smaller one of the two provides a nice snug fit. Don't let the rough exterior fool you. The interior is in fine shape.

The Remarkable Pu Pu Platter

2012-01-14T20:43:00.000-08:00

Tonight I had one of the best appetizers known to mankind: the pu pu platter. My favorite restaurant is China Chili's here in Fremont, California. They make a superb Mai Tai and the food is good quality. Tonight we had the pu pu platter, very similar to the one shown here. You can recognize it by the little fire in the center of the plate.

The pu pu platter has an excellent representation of the best appetizers. Egg rolls, skewered beef, spareribs, shrimp toast, won ton and fried chicken drumstick. This plate may not have the Heart Association's seal of approval, but it will put a smile on your face if you have decent tastes.

Don't forget to order the Mai Tai to accompany the pu pu platter.

Antique Furniture: A Tremendous Value

2012-01-11T19:58:00.001-08:00

One of my favorite programs is Antiques Roadshow on PBS. For those of you who haven't seen it, a group of appraisers travel from city to city and give on-site appraisals in convention centers or the like. The objects run the spectrum in terms of content. It also a great way to pick up some tidbits of history.

The other night I saw an appraisal for a walnut sofa, circa 1870. The owner was an elderly woman who loved the piece and mentioned that she got a lot of enjoyment from it. Then the appraiser told her that the market such furniture was soft and it was only worth $800. Being a dealer, he had no interest in the piece. Yet the woman still loved it and the market value didn't affect her admiration for the piece. Good for her!

JD and I have been scouting the antique stores to furnish a spare room. There are some incredible items out there at reasonable prices. In fact it is often cheaper to buy antique than something currently mass produced offshore. Furniture was meant to be used and not sit in a museum.

What does LeDandy know about antique furniture? Nothing, but that never stopped me before. It will be fun to learn and explore.

Commitment to Fitness

2012-01-06T10:11:00.000-08:00

Lets be honest: the belts in this picture are far overshadowed by the blurred body in the background. Workouts do pay off. My exercise regimen is far more important to me than fashion. Why? Because it is the foundation for one's appearance.

The difficult part is the discipline required to stay in shape. LeDandy gets up at 5:15 weekday mornings to get in his workout. I don't have a hundred percent compliance with my workout schedule but I do manage about ninety percent of the time. I alternate days between weightlifting and using the elliptical machine in my garage and take off one day a week.

Stay fit my friends.

Eyeglass Rotation

2012-01-02T09:06:00.000-08:00

I love my pince-nez. Presently I have two different pince-nez fitted with prescription lenses. The pince-nez at the top is the modern rimless fingerpiece and it was made circa 1910. It has spring nose guard clips and is the most minimal in appearance of pince-nez. The glasses in the middle are the hoop spring variety and this mounting was probably made around 1890. It is slightly more conspicuous than the fingerpiece but it has an elegant look and a lot of character. I alternate wearing these glasses with my mood.

The silver glasses at bottom are my newest acquisition and I discussed them in yesterday's post. Yes, glasses with temples (arms). These glasses round out my working collection of eyewear. Why must one wear the same pair of glasses each day? As I've written, I believe eyewear is the most important fashion item. Even more important than footwear.

One Last Post for the Year.....

2011-12-31T12:45:00.001-08:00

I almost forgot! LeDandy's new (old) coin silver glasses as mentioned in last month's post. The lenses are quite small, even smaller than the lenses on my pince-nez. Antique eyewear is generally much smaller in dimensions than current eyeglasses. I had no problem adjusting to the new dimensions.

I may not be looking through rose-colored lenses but it is nice to have silver frames.

Year End Post

2011-12-31T10:43:00.000-08:00

2011 was a wonderful year for LeDandy. My new job began last January and it has proven to be very good for me. This blog has been acquiring its own personality and I'm very proud of its growth. It is more than just opera pumps and pince-nez. Reform Dandyism, via LeDandy, is a liberated style form. I know these principles go beyond most readers but that is ok. I am merely sowing the seeds of independent thought. Yes, I am bragging. But this is my blog and I'll say whatever I want.

Jon Dean and I were very fortunate this year to meet up with his sister and her husband from New York. Sorry guys, she is married. Being with family is good. Being with family you really like is wonderful.

No New Year's resolutions for LeDandy in 2012. If I could repeat the success of this year, I'll be very happy.

LeDandy's Seal

2011-12-29T12:01:00.000-08:00

This is part of my Christmas booty for 2011. Jon Dean bought me a wax seal kit. I've always liked the beauty of a wax seal on old envelopes. The seal above was made with my new stamp. I don't write many letters, but when I do, they'll have a nice finish.

With the kit came several colors of wax to use. Merely light the wax stick and let a few drops fall on the surface to seal. Apply the stamp (or ring below) and you have your own seal.

A Few Days in Jackson

2011-12-27T13:54:00.001-08:00

LeDandy and family headed up to Jackson, California for a few days of relaxation after Christmas. We stayed at the Gate House Inn, a nice Victorian bed & breakfast in Jackson. This town is only a few miles from Sutter Creek where we stayed previously. The house was built in 1902 and it is very well maintained.

We managed to eat well on our short trip. The proprietor made us a very nice breakfast each day. No one walked away from the table hungry.

The best part was the relaxation. No computers, no tv and none of those damn iPhones. I could get used to it.

Christmas Eve

2011-12-24T07:51:00.000-08:00

It looks like Santa has been very good to LeDandy this year, judging by all the presents under the tree. Does LeDandy take an overly commercialized version of Christmas? Absolutely. I feel good about it.

It was a busy week at work and I didn't take time to enjoy all the pre-Christmas fun at home. Only last night did I see this amazing ornament hanging from the tree. Striped socks! I guess my dandyism is rubbing off on my mother-in-law. Thanks mom.

LeDandy is one of the few people who still say "Merry Christmas" in public. And I'm not even Christian.

The Perfect Gentleman's Accessory

2011-12-19T19:15:00.000-08:00

I've decided to embark on a new area of collectibles: the prophylactic tins of the early to mid twentieth century. Don't laugh -- it is a serious field for collectors and rare tins can go into the thousands of dollars.

I've decided to start with a modest purchase. Below is a tin for three Sheik condoms. This one probably dates to the mid 1950s. There isn't much published in the way of catalogs for this field of collectibles except for one text. It is "Remember Your Rubbers! Collectible Condom Containers" Don't worry, LeDandy put a bug in Santa's ear about this one!

The tin is quite tiny. It is roughly two inches wide and an inch and a half tall.

I found a very interesting article by PBS on Julius Schmid, the owner of the rubber factory that made Sheiks and other brands.

The price of fifty cents seems cheap today. However it wasn't so cheap back in 1955. According to a calculation using the Consumer Price Index, fifty cents in 1955 is the equivalent of $4 today. $4 for three rubbers.

A proper gentleman doesn't run off to the drugstore in the heat of a romantic liaison. A gentleman is always prepared!

LeDandy's Dream for Christmas

2011-12-14T19:46:00.001-08:00

LeDandy hates those damn iPhones! The world would be a better place without them. I'm tired of watching people commit serious acts of rudeness by playing with their iPhones during meetings, dining at a restaurant or even while on an escalator. Not to mention the safety concerns as one being oblivious to his/her environment while driving or walking.

Thank you Steve Jobs for aiding in the social retardation of our country. One can't put all the blame on him as it is the actual user who commits the social blunders and puts his/her safety at risk.

Runner-Up Dream
To join the celebration shown in my Dec. 8th post!

A LeDandy Christmas

2011-12-13T05:51:00.000-08:00

The 2011 Christmas Tree is now set up in LeDandy's house. Jon Dean and I picked up the tree last Sunday and decorated it last night. Usually I wear a smoking jacket and velvet slippers for this event but this year I was just too pooped.

However we did stay true to the important tree decoration festivities including and limited to drinking champagne, listening to Bing Crosby Christmas songs and eating some tasty hors d'oevres. Now it is time to put some gifts below the tree.

For some reason (probably the season) I thought of one item from World War II in my ephemera collection. It is a Christmas telegram from a wife to her husband, a Canadian major serving in England at the time. The world was at war, this couple was separated by thousands of miles and communication came in the form of a slow, terse telegram. It makes me grateful for what I have.

Greed of a Different Kind

2011-12-12T09:59:00.000-08:00

Ever see these billboards or posters asking you to donate your car to a charity? They really draw my wrath. Asking for someone's car is quite an outrageous demand. Why not ask for my house? If I'm going to give my car to anyone, my first choice will be a family member in need. Charity starts in the home, as my dad used to say.

If a charity is lucky, they'll get my used clothes or other goods. And they better be grateful for that.

Working Undercover

2011-12-10T10:39:00.000-08:00

Scratch that. Sleeping undercover. Young Butch, our French Bulldog, gets cold at night and has taken to sleeping under the covers. Rosie the Pomeranian is partially shown at the far left. Tater the pug has already gotten down to have breakfast. What a fun morning.

LeDandy's 2011 Man of the Year

2011-12-08T15:05:00.000-08:00

It is that time of the year to bestow honors on the man who has made the greatest contribution to fashion. Well, this year it will be women's fashion. LeDandy honors the unknown man (must be a man!) who created women's spandex volleyball shorts. I read a comment on a YouTube video stating that the man who invented women's volleyball shorts should be awarded a Nobel Prize. Since it is unlikely that this will happen, LeDandy wants to pay tribute where it is due.

Antique Eyewear

2011-12-07T19:18:00.000-08:00

LeDandy is still in love with antique eyewear. After Christmas I'll be wearing my new (old) silver glasses from Jared Moore, circa 1850. I did run across some other interesting designs in the course of my shopping that I'd like to pass along. Technology may be supreme today but you can't beat the craftsmanship and design of antique eyewear.

I saw this wonderful combination of tortoise shell frames with coin silver temples. I haven't seen any modern glasses like these three pairs. They are definitely head turners.

Another interesting set was this tortoise shell folding frame. The actual material may be plastic but I use the term "tortoise shell" to describe the appearance.

LeDandy is Watching....

2011-12-04T08:06:00.001-08:00

Women's volleyball! Yes. The college football season is just about over and I'm not a basketball fan. Unlike men's sports, I really don't care who wins or by how much. They are all winners in my book.

Return of a Classic: Beavis and Butthead

2011-12-02T16:18:00.000-08:00

Yesterday while I was driving home I heard some Christmas ads on the radio.. One was for the classic play "The Nutcracker" at some place in San Francisco. Here I am almost fifty years old and I laugh like a little kid when I hear that phrase: "nut-cracker." I always think of someone getting whacked in the balls. It's a guy thing. I hope I never grow up.

The night got better as I watched the new season of Beavis & Butthead on MTV. Beavis is pictured above. In last night's episode, Beavis and Butthead learned they could take long bathroom breaks at work. Whenever customers would show up, they would camp out in the bathroom. I thought I'd get the hiccups it was so funny.

Quote of the Week

2011-11-29T09:25:00.000-08:00

"My shoes are more interesting than most people." - LeDandy (of Northern California)

LeDandy's Christmas Gift

2011-11-26T04:38:00.000-08:00

LeDandy put a lot of thought into this one. I sent Jon Dean to Jared's to get it for me. Unfortunately their store has been closed for some time. Like 160 years! Jared L. Moore was a silversmith in New York from 1825 to 1852. He made a gorgeous set of silver spectacles which Jon Dean was able to buy from an antique dealer back east. The frames are now being lensed by an optical store in San Francisco.

The glasses are tiny by modern standards. The lenses are significantly smaller than the ones in my pince-nez. The frames are made of coin silver, have straight temples and octagonal lenses. I couldn't pass up this combination of features. Especially since it is a gift.

The glasses came with the original case. I looked up the address for the business "112 Chatham Street, NY." A quick internet search revealed that Chatham Street in Manhattan was renamed Park Row a long time ago. The case, the size of a large cigar holder, is in remarkable condition for its age.

I almost sent these frames back. The first optician I saw, the one who lensed my pince-nez, said that new lenses could not be put in them. I was heartbroken. "Manning up" is not in LeDandy's playbook. Then I decided to get a second opinion. In matters of medical (and fashion) emergencies, it is always good to get a second opinion. I'm glad I did as the second optical store, Veo Optics in San Francisco, took on the challenge with good spirit. I haven't found many optical stores with a genuine interest in their craft.

It will be a great Christmas.

The Weather Outside is Frightful,...

2011-11-24T08:08:00.000-08:00

Well it is by northern California standards. Thanksgiving Day and it is about 55 degrees and a slight rain. Today and through Sunday I will be relaxing and getting some rest. Black Friday? No thanks. I'll be staying home. Most items I want are antiques anyways.

What does the picture above have to do with today's post? Not much except to emphasize the cold weather. Plus I couldn't resist their pretty faces.

Reform Dandyism will be taking the day off also. LeDandy plans on wearing some blue jeans, t-shirt and an old rugby shirt for his Thanksgiving dinner. With all the champagne I'll be drinking, I don't want to worry about spilling food or drink on my clothes.

Gorgeous Eyewear

2011-11-22T10:01:00.000-08:00

LeDandy just loves antique eyewear. The design, the craftsmanship and wonderful materials cannot be equaled today. Lunor makes a nice effort but you just can't beat the real thing. I ran across these two wonderful sets of spectacles in one of my books. Both are French from the early 19th century and made of silver.

The specs on top are extraordinary for the temple finials (end of the arm). The engraved emblem is a lyre, a stringed musical instrument. Glasses like these would look great on someone who is bald.

The specs on the bottom are my favorite. Octagonal lenses with an x-bridge and turn-pin temples. If you want to buy LeDandy a gift, find something like this.

The downside to silver is that is an excellent conductor of heat and cold. I wouldn't want to wear either pair in a summer Arizona sun or a Moscow winter. Somehow I can't get the idea of a lyre being branded onto my scalp on a hot Arizona summer day. Overall, nothing can detract from the beauty of these antiques.

After Dark

2011-11-19T09:33:00.000-08:00

LeDandy loves vintage magazines and this week I received an issue of the now defunct After Dark magazine dated July 1975. After Dark was an entertainment magazine with a heavy emphasis on gay culture. And I do mean heavy. The magazine was published from about 1968 to 1982. Post-Stonewall and pre-AIDS. The Wikipedia entry referenced above provides an excellent history of the magazine. I do not wish to repeat it. Instead I will focus on the images from the magazine.

I decided on buying this issue based upon the cover. Nice tan lines and a provocative pose. There were more photos inside from this "fashion shoot." Unfortunately most pages were in black and white. Remember this was 1975.

I found the ads within the magazine to be more interesting than the articles. I found this page towards the back advertising male swimwear. Parr of Arizona? I bought my swimwear from them in their Phoenix store back in the 1990s!

Gay bars and restaurants were also advertised. The ads were more discreet back then. I like the ad for Uncle Charlie's North in the lower right corner of the page below. Elton John helps date the magazine.

There was also a significant fashion element to the magazine. The pose is reminiscent of male muscle magazines from the 1950s.

Last, but not least, was the frequent depiction of male nudity. In simple terms, they often showed the guy's winky. Since this is not an explicit blog, I redacted the photo for the sake of decency. Trust me, you're not missing much!

Same Brand, Same Model But Different Shoe

2011-11-12T08:52:00.000-08:00

LeDandy hasn't written a shoe post lately. A reader's email prompted me to put up this one about an interesting experience with my beloved opera pumps. Even though I already had a pair of vintage Cole Haan opera pumps, I decided to add another pair to my shoe reserve in case of emergency need (i.e., nuclear war, earthquake, civil insurrection). About a year ago I found a second pair of Cole Haan opera pumps. Same size, same general appearance from the photos and both pairs were made in Italy. I expected an identical pair of shoes.

I was wrong.

Pictured here are the left shoes of each pair for comparison.

My first pair of these opera pumps (on left) fit perfectly. The second pair was far too tight even though it was in my size. Thanks to a wonderful cobbler, the second pair was stretched sufficiently to wear.

What are the differences?

Why are these shoes are different? Apparently Cole Haan did not make these shoes themselves but contracted them out to different factories in Italy. This is a common practice for most designer labels.

Rules for Swimwear

2011-11-09T19:10:00.000-08:00

Swimwear should only be worn near a pool or body of water.

Incorrect:

Correct:

LeDandy Review: M the Civilized Magazine

2011-11-08T18:58:00.000-08:00

Pure crap. Pretentious and unreadable. Good riddance.

Return of the Fat Boy!

2011-11-05T08:36:00.001-07:00

Whenever I hear the term Fat Boy, I think of Chubby from the Little Rascals. Norman "Chubby" Chaney appeared on the Little Rascals from 1929-31. Sadly, he died a very young man at the age of twenty-two. But I digress.

Several years ago I bought a Fat Boy pen which is of unique design. The plunger mechanism failed a while back and I delayed in buying a replacement part. A week ago I ordered a new part and the pen is working just fine again. It is a manly instrument of ample girth. It isn't for everyone but once you get used to the grip, it is addictive.

Michael's Pens is an American success story. Michael Hochstetler created a unique product of high quality. It is something I'm proud to own. These days many corporations seek to maximize profit by sacrificing quality and manufacturing overseas. Michael's Pens bucks this sad trend.

Surviving an Insurrection

2011-11-03T18:25:00.000-07:00

Subtitle: How to prevent tear gas from marring the finish on one's shoes. Yesterday was the general strike in Oakland. Rallies, marches, skirmishes with police and random acts of hooliganism. Where was LeDandy? He took the day off from work and stayed home. I firmly believe in the old maxim "discretion is the better of valor."

I stayed home, had a little bit of wine and half-slept on the couch with a gassy French Bulldog on my chest. We watched the classic movie Seven Days in May (1964) with Kirk Douglas, Burt Lancaster and Frederic March. It was a political thriller about a fictional coup in the US.

On the walk to work today from the BART station I saw the aftermath of yesterday's riots. It was not a pretty sight with graffiti and broken windows everywhere. And I do mean everywhere. In fact the walk was downright depressing.

Later in the day I thought about this blog and how it makes me happy. I have fun with it and go in many directions. It is positive.

The weather is starting to cool off here in the Bay Area. Rain and cold weather have arrived. This makes many of us here smile as it will clear out most of tent city in Frank Ogawa Plaza.

Cold weather means time for sweaters. Below is an inspiring photo of some heavy knits.

In the Mood, Not the Details

2011-10-31T09:44:00.000-07:00

Another vintage photo from a 1980s Italian men's fashion magazine. A very artistic shot as one imagines cold weather, long nights and potential love on the horizon. It brings to mind memories. The woman with the cigarette dates this photo as not many states here in the US allow indoor smoking. Nevertheless, this is an inspiring photo.

The photo reminds me of one from a famous photographer. The photo below is by Robert Frank taken in Gallup, New Mexico circa 1955. There are many similarities. A diagonal vantage point, grainy black and white image and a slight blur. Both images convey a strong mood albeit of a far different nature.

Looks Good on Others....

2011-10-29T09:36:00.000-07:00

But not LeDandy. The tennis sweater. I've tried it many times with very little success. Funny, but some things never seem to work out and the tennis sweater almost always failed for me. The one exception is a vintage Polo ivory tennis sweater that I bought about ten years ago. Looks great but it is a heavy loose knit wool. Not very practical in the office.

The photos are from a 1980s European men's fashion magazine.

Missing the Point

2011-10-28T15:52:00.001-07:00

Today at work I opened my window and literally had a skybox seat at Frank Ogawa Plaza in Oakland. The filmmaker Michael Moore made an appearance and he gave a rambling long-winded speech.

The protesters claim that there is economic inequality in the US. Most of us, in their opinion, aren't getting our "fair share of the pie." Strangely enough, I agree with them on that point.

Sadly I find the crowds are missing the most important problem. It is not the percentage of the pie that is critical. It is that the whole pie (i.e., the American economy) is shrinking vis-a-vis the rest of the world. We need strategic economic thinking.

Enough politics. We take ourselves far too seriously. LeDandy will be back to the fun things soon. If you are ever in Frank Ogawa Plaza, let me know. I'll let you buy me lunch.

A Look Outside LeDandy's Office

2011-10-25T16:05:00.000-07:00

My office overlooks Frank Ogawa Plaza in downtown Oakland. It was the scene of the Occupy Oakland movement which ended last night with a police raid. Today I had to pass through barricades to get to work. It felt like something from a dream.

The whole affair was more like a carnival than a political protest. I won't miss it.

Hooliganism - rowdy, violent or destructive behavior [Webster's online dictionary]

LeDandy's Status

2011-10-23T16:10:00.000-07:00

What is the leader of the Reform Dandyism movement doing these days? Just living life. Here I am waxing our SUV today. I haven't been motivated these days with fashion. One could say I'm taking a break. The overall bleak economic outlook has dampened my enthusiasm for style as Dandyism does not exist in a vacuum. At work I look out my window and see the encampment for "Occupy Oakland."

The holiday season will be upon us soon. LeDandy's focus will be on eyewear. The posts will resume when I feel inspired again.

Butch

2011-10-17T05:49:00.001-07:00

At last I have a good nickname for young Hayden. I believe that one must first know the personality of a pet before giving him/her the proper nickname.

In one of my favorite Three Stooges' clips, Flat Foot Stooges (1938), the boys use an English Bulldog by the name of Butch to hunt a mouse who has been causing them problems. Moe apparently flubbed his line (a rare occurrence) and said to Larry "Go get.... what's his name?" Larry said "Butch" and he went to get him to rid themselves of the mouse.

The boys send Butch in (below) and a loud fight ensues. We assume Butch got rid of the mouse. Wrong! The bulldog comes tumbling out and the boys are in shock. One tough mouse. Watch the clip.

A Gentleman from the South

2011-10-09T07:19:00.000-07:00

LeDandy welcomes young Hayden into the family ~~zoo~~. Hayden hails from Tennessee and then, through fate, landed into the French Bulldog Rescue Network. Jon Dean found his profile on the Network's adoption page and now we have him. The young man has a great personality and found his spot in the family hierarchy. In the photo above he looks tough. Don't be fooled as he is a real sweetheart.

My big concern was the warning on his profile stating that he liked to chew on shoes. Oh boy. Well I took every precaution and he doesn't have the chance to ruin any of my shoes.

Classic Oval Spectacles

2011-10-08T10:31:00.000-07:00

LeDandy is seeking a little diversity in his eyewear. My good friend on the Pince-Nez Renaissance, Richard Johnson, recently sent me a wonderful set of oval lensed glasses circa 1900. This style was quite popular in its day with straight temples. These glasses were never used as indicated by the original stickers still on the lenses. I may have them relensed in the future for wear. The nickel plated frames are in excellent condition.

The design really is timeless as the beauty is in its simplicity. Many variations can be found today, usually with temples.

Inside the bridge one can see the hallmark for American Optical. A great history of the company can be found here. They made high quality eyeglasses at an affordable price.

A Birthday Celebration

2011-10-02T17:35:00.000-07:00

Last weekend LeDandy enjoyed a wonderful birthday celebration for his friend Laura. The birthday dinner was held in St. Helena up in the Napa wine country and there were about ten of us. The first restaurant didn't work out as the service was horrible but we stumbled onto a wonderful Mexican restaurant on Main Street in St. Helena. Ever have one of those dinners where everyone looked at your table as the life of the party? That's the way we felt. The wine flowed and the good times rolled.

Below is pic of the birthday girl in her special birthday hat.

LeDandy went casual with blue jeans and his Gucci-style loafers. When you're wearing pince-nez, nothing more needs to be said.

Variety

2011-09-30T12:52:00.000-07:00

The spice of life, as the saying goes. Even opera pumps and pince-nez can feel like a uniform when one wears them most of the week. Ergo, LeDandy has decided to mix up the elements in his ensemble. The opera shoes are getting a little less wear these days and I'm looking into traditional glasses to wear on occasion. By traditional eyeglasses, I mean glasses with arms.

Several weeks ago I purchased a k-bridge antique frame off a seller on eBay. Unfortunately the quality wasn't very good so I had to send them back. The seller told me that I shouldn't expect glasses that are a hundred years old to be like those of today. I agree. Antique glasses should be much better! My antique pince-nez mountings are of superb quality and cannot be reproduced today except at an exorbitant price.

Here is my latest purchase. K-bridge spectacles made sometime between 1865 and 1880. How do I know? I have a reference book which places the glasses in this time frame based on the address and wording of the case. These are really small glasses, even smaller than my pince-nez lenses.

My colleague from the Pince-Nez Renaissance is also sending me some vintage spectacles so I'm going to hold off on deciding which frames to have lensed.

If you are into vintage eyewear I encourage you to check out Antique Spectacles, an online optical museum. It is an amazing resource of eyewear through the ages.

I couldn't find anyone wearing the k-bridge frames but I did find a former Supreme Court justice appointed by Lincoln who wore an x-bridge frame. Stephen Johnson Field served on the U.S. Supreme Court from 1863 to 1897. According to Wikipedia, Justice Field "...had a special coat made with pockets large enough to hold two pistols so that he could shoot at his various enemies through the pockets." He was a character. And he did have enemies. His bodyguard fatally shot a former chief justice of the California Supreme Court who sought revenge by trying to kill Field.

The k-bridge and close relative, the x-bridge, are relatively hard to find. They are not rare but much less common than the straight templed oval frames of the late nineteenth century. I'm looking forward to the glasses. Think I'll skip the beard though.

A Ray of Sunshine

2011-09-26T12:06:00.000-07:00

Coming from the most unlikely of places! Every weekday I get up at 5:15 am. The first word out of my mouth is a four letter expletive upon hearing the alarm. I'm very grumpy. Make a pot of coffee and put some cinnamon bread in the toaster oven. I turn on the tv for a little entertainment. The major cable news channels are horrible. Sometimes I only see commercials. Pills for erectile dysfunction? Sorry, I'm doing fine. Cholesterol drugs? I might need them but I don't care. So I flip channels in hope of finding something interesting.

I finally found a good morning news program: Russia Today (RT) on an obscure cable channel. Yes, Russia Today. While CNN and MSNBC are incessantly playing pharmaceutical commercials, RT even has news clips of NFL games. No commercial interruptions. The young lady at left, Alyona Minkovski, is one of RT's star newscasters. Like I said, they do a great presentation.

Don't worry about the nature of RT's reporting. It is definitely pushing a Russian agenda. If you can accept that premise, then the news and shows are quite entertaining and informative. It hasn't changed my political leanings. I'm still a Michele Bachmann supporter.

Sometimes you just need to leave the mainstream in order to find something interesting. LeDandy found it in RT.

When Heroes Were Scarce

2011-09-18T07:28:00.001-07:00

Several months ago I purchased an autograph of Atlee Pomerene. Who was Atlee Pomerene? Even LeDandy didn't know that answer until he looked him up. Mr. Pomerene was appointed as a special prosecutor by President Coolidge in the Teapot Dome affair. Only students of history probably know this event as even Watergate is fading from the public's memory. Back in the 1920s, corruption was rampant in the Harding administration. Teapot Dome resulted in the first prison term for a cabinet member when Interior Secretary Albert Fall was convicted of bribery.

I read an excellent book on the subject: The Teapot Dome Scandal by Laton McCartney. It reads more like a movie script than history.* Affairs, murder, bribery and widespread corruption at the highest level. It seemed like everyone could be bought.

Special prosecutors Atlee Pomerene and Owen Roberts were two of the few shining stars in this sad drama. Both were then private practice attorneys who took on their roles at the request of President Coolidge. Unfortunately Congress did not appropriate pay for them and they had to work essentially as volunteers for a while. Add intimidation into the formula and it took strong character to continue. They did. [photo reprinted without permission]

Mr. Pomerene had a distinguished career as senator from Ohio, presidential candidate and attorney for the law firm of Squire, Sanders & Dempsey.

________________
*As part of the drama, a detachment of Marines was sent to Teapot Dome in Wyoming to boot off an oil company crew. An interesting read!

Bring Back Breeches!

2011-09-16T16:35:00.000-07:00

According to Wikipedia, the image at left shows a fashionably dressed man in France from the time period 1790-1795. Low heeled leather shoes with silk or wool stockings were key parts of this outfit. A great way to emphasize one's footwear.

Somehow I see modern inspiration in this photo.

Walking the Walk

2011-09-13T18:34:00.000-07:00

Several posts ago I stated that my look for fall would focus on footwear and glasses. Everything else be damned. Well I lived up to my expectations today with this outfit. I admit the khaki pants, navy blue polo and simple surcingle belt are quite dull. They are supposed to be. I didn't want anything interfering with my red socks and vintage opera pumps. The rest of the outfit "took one for the team" as the saying goes.

The weather is quite warm here in the Bay Area. September and October are usually the warmest months. Sweater season will be arriving soon.

Unlike other blogs, I usually don't post the maker and price of the items making up my outfit. This is not out of snobbishness. In fact, it is the reverse. The focus is on the overall look. It really doesn't matter if the khakis are $300 at Saks, $30 from Lands' End or $3 at the thrift store. As long as the quality is at least good, then it will suffice.

Some Bad News

2011-09-11T05:51:00.000-07:00

LeDandy's new old stock frames did not work out. The quality of the frames was not up to my expectations based on the description and photos. These frames are going back to the seller for a refund. Some good did come out of this transaction. The k-frame bridge suits me just fine and I love the look of it. It will make a nice alternative to my pince-nez once I find the right frame.

Both frames had the straight temples which I find very attractive. I did some research and the proper term is "library temples." They are meant to be taken off and put on with greater ease than looped ends. There is a subtle elegance to this look.

Well, back to the shopping world for another pair.

Reviving a Classic

2011-09-03T17:01:00.000-07:00

A few weeks LeDandy made his big purchases for fall. One pair of khaki pants, one pair of navy chinos, a white polo shirt and a grey cotton sweater. All were from Lands' End and I'm very pleased with the quality. Excellent clothes for everyday wear.

The choices above may not sound very exciting. LeDandy agrees. However, these choices do fit in with my philosophy for this season's style. The emphasis will be on eyewear and shoes, everything else be damned. In fact the neutral colors mentioned are necessary to emphasize footwear and eyeglasses.

The other day I was looking through a fashion magazine from the 80s and ran across this advertisement for Cole Haan shoes of that era. Back in the 80s I couldn't afford Cole Haans as they were just outside my price range. Bass Weejuns, then a good quality shoe, were about $70 and I usually bought them. Weejuns were a solid dependable shoe and quite versatile, adequate for my needs. The Cole Haans were about $100+ and very tempting.

I was motivated to dig out a pair of my vintage Cole Haans that were made in the USA. The shoes below are probably twenty-five years old and went for about $125 in their day. The shoes may not look striking when compared to my opera pumps but they are a marked improvement in style when compared to the Weejuns.

I decided to clean up these shoes and used some Lexol cleaner followed up with a neutral cream. The results even impressed LeDandy. When Cole Haans were made in Maine, they did a wonderful job with color and leather. The patina on these shoes is superb.

Like I said, the emphasis will be on eyewear and shoes this fall.

New (Old) Eyewear for Fall

2011-08-28T07:35:00.000-07:00

Don't consider LeDandy unfaithful to his much loved pince-nez. I have not forsaken the armless eyeglasses. However, I do have the urge to put on another style of eyewear at times. Why should eyewear be any different than any other article of clothing? I wouldn't want to wear the same style of shoes every day.

With that lame justification, I went ahead and purchased the frames below from an eBay seller in Germany. These frames are new old stock made circa 1920.

I don't have a high regard for the current crop of eyewear in terms of design and construction. However I have been impressed with Lunor as discussed in prior posts. Below is a Lunor model closely resembling the eyeglasses in the first picture.

LeDandy's Back to School Post

2011-08-13T22:34:00.000-07:00

Well, it is not back to school for me in the literal sense. I graduated college about twenty-five years ago. Nevertheless, this time of year marks the passage of one year and the beginning of another. Much more so than January 1st. Nor is this post about actually dressing for school. At most colleges it is just jeans and t-shirts. For cold weather, add a heavy duty sweatshirt. No, this post is a back to school post in the mythical sense.

Forget Ivy League Trad. Live a little!

Love the socks. Great contrast with the trousers.

Simple yet sophisticated.

LeDandy on Belgian Loafers

2011-08-09T18:28:00.000-07:00

I don't like them. These shoes are loved by some eccentrics and art dealers but I just never cared for them. To me, I find the little bow pathetic. If you are going to have an ornament on your shoe, it should be bold. Hence my love of the opera pumps.

There is only one retail source for these shoes and it is Belgian Shoes in New York. According to Yelp, they have a one and a half star rating. Apparently several customers had problems with their service.

Getting back to the bow. To me the bow on the Belgian loafer bears an uncanny resemblance to Colonel Sander's tie. It just puts me in the mood for fried chicken, not high fashion.

Some TLC

2011-08-07T08:43:00.001-07:00

There is a little bit of elbow work involved with vintage (used) shoes. Above left is the photo provided by the eBay seller for my opera pumps. With all of my vintage shoes, I apply a three step treatment: clean, condition and shine. Too many men just do the third step. There is some slight discoloration on the edges of the bows but I decided to leave them in the original condition.

Even though these shoes are marked in my size, the left shoe felt too snug. For anything beyond the aforementioned maintenance, I use a shoe repair professional. The left shoe was stretched and is now quite comfortable.

LeDandy Culture

2011-08-05T12:43:00.000-07:00

LeDandy may love opera pumps but he is not a fan of the opera. My enjoyment can be found in the old clips of the Three Stooges. I recently added Volume 7 of the dvd compilation series to my collection. This series features Shemp who filled in for Curley. I don't have it yet but it should be arriving shortly in the mail.

Curley had a great screen presence but true Stooge aficionados recognize Shemp as the funniest stooge. LeDandy has long believed that you have not become a man until you realize that Shemp was funnier than Curley. This is a rather painless rite of passage.

Shemp passed away in 1955 at the relatively young age of sixty. Once he was gone, the Stooge act was never quite the same. In fact, I will not watch any clip made after Shemp.

Twisting by the Pool (1982)

2011-07-23T09:03:00.000-07:00

Yeah, we're gonna be so cool
Twisting by the pool

So sang Dire Straits back in 1982 in their classic song "Twisting by the Pool." LeDandy recently picked up a vintage fashion magazine from that year and was fortunate to find some nice swimwear. In my opinion, it was the greatest period in men's swimwear. Below are a few photos.

LeDandy was Right...

2011-07-21T19:43:00.000-07:00

As is expected. In my July 14th post, I predicted that the government would prevail in the forfeiture trial for the ten 1933 $20 St. Gaudens gold coins. The government won after a short four hour deliberation by the jury. Although the burden of proof was on the government, they only needed a preponderance of the evidence. This is a much lower standard than "beyond a reasonable doubt" as in criminal trials.

Was the verdict fair? I believe so. The government made no secret that they considered these coins stolen property back in the 1930s. The former coin owners could not make a credible case as to acquiring these coins legally and the evidence presented was clearly in the government's favor. The coins now go back to Fort Knox where they will not see the light of day again. They might even be melted.

If you do like $20 gold coins (who doesn't?), you may be interested in Corum's coin watch. This watch has been in production for years and is well known by many imitations in the market. The ad seen here is from a 1982 magazine and features the $20 Liberty Head which preceded the St. Gaudens variety. The watches have either a leather or gold mesh bracelet and come in either a quartz or mechanical movement. Of course these watches aren't cheap and range from $15,000 to $20,000. Nothing says money like ..... money.

I Couldn't Resist..........

2011-07-19T22:04:00.000-07:00

Yes, another pair of the nearly obsolete opera pumps. Well, not obsolete for LeDandy. I couldn't turn down this pair. It might be good for putting in my earthquake preparedness kit, along with some food, water....... and socks. But seriously, I really do love these shoes.

A Summer Belt

2011-07-16T01:32:00.000-07:00

LeDandy had to get a madras belt for summer. Here is one that I recently purchased with a D-ring buckle.

The Big Trial

2011-07-14T12:09:00.000-07:00

This isn't the Casey Anthony trial with all the hoopla and media nonsense. No dead babies in this case. Right now there is a trial going on in Philadelphia between a woman and the government for ownership of ten 1933 St. Gaudens gold coins. The government seized these coins and claimed they were illegal to own. For those of you who are coin collectors, this coin is perhaps the most desirable of all coins to own. Only one of these coins (the King Farouk specimen) is legal to own and it sold a year or two ago for close to $8 million.

What makes this coin so special? In 1933 President Roosevelt outlawed ownership of gold. The mint stopped production of all gold coins that year. A few $10 Indian Head coins made it into circulation but the government claimed that it never released the $20 St. Gaudens. Nevertheless, a few of these coins made it out before the remainder were melted. One of these coins received a Treasury Department export license in 1944 and went to King Farouk. This is the only coin which is legal to own and it went to an unnamed buyer.

This will be an interesting case to follow as it involves a variety of legal issues. There will not be a lot of news coverage but you can find some articles on Coin World. I sympathize with the former owner but believe the government will prevail in this case.

What would be the forseeable consequences if the ten coins return to private hands? The 1933 St. Gaudens will no longer be the most desirable coin! With eleven coins extant, the mystique will be stripped off these coins.

New Glasses for LeDandy!

2011-07-10T09:20:00.000-07:00

Pince-nez, that is. I've been long overdue and I can tell that the time has come for a new prescription. After all, I am getting older .... and better.

Pictured above you can see the next candidate for lenses. It is a fingerpiece style pince-nez mounting given to me by Richard Johnson, my very good friend and colleague. This particular mounting is new old stock and in pristine condition. I'll be wearing silicone nose pads with them for added comfort and security.

For those of you unfamiliar with pince-nez, I have another blog (Pince-Nez Renaissance) devoted to the modern wear of this beautiful antique style.

The hard part with pince-nez is finding an optician to make lenses and follow through with a fitting. I've found most opticians to be lazy and unmotivated even in this poor economy. The last optician I used for pince-nez has gone out of business. Now a new search starts. It is well worth the effort.

Bourgeoisie Communists

2011-07-06T18:58:00.000-07:00

This would be their footwear. I ran across this fine looking velvet slipper in a recent Shipton & Heneage catalog. For my wedding, I bought a pair of black velvet slippers with a bee motif from them. The slippers fit great and I was very pleased with this purchase. LeDandy recommends Shipton & Heneage. You may have to wait as these shoes are made to order, but it is well worth the result.

I can see LeDandy wearing these shoes to a Michelle Bachman dinner. Believe it or not, she is my favorite presidential candidate so far.

If I Were a Pug....

2011-07-02T21:11:00.001-07:00

This is what I'd wear. A friend of ours gave us this postcard and I love it. The pug is even wearing a pair of Albert slippers. The only thing I'd do differently would be to wear socks. Other than that, the colors and design of the jammies are perfect.

LeDandy has stopped looking at the online clothing forums. They are just a bad influence. The problem? They are far too serious and, for the most part, have no sense of humor. Life is difficult enough. I like having fun with my wardrobe.

Best Mode of Acquisition

2011-06-30T21:48:00.000-07:00

Gifts! LeDandy has been fortunate these days. Last week my hairdresser gave me a Montblanc pen. Also, I received a military style Hamilton Khaki watch from a friend at work. This watch dates from about the mid 1980s. He bought it an antique store while on vacation. This gorgeous seventeen jewel watch has a bit of wear but can be fixed up with a new crystal. It keeps excellent time.

I added a NATO style strap for this watch. It is a different kind of strap in that it is very functional. The oversized strap is meant to fit over jackets and shirts. What to do with excess length when wearing on a bare wrist? Fold it over, as seen below.

I particularly like the red second hand. It makes a nice contrast with the black dial and stainless steel case. Another nice aspect of this watch is its small size. The case diameter measures a nice 33 mm.

I hope my good luck with gifts continues!

The Importance of Showing Up

2011-06-25T16:22:00.000-07:00

Woody Allen once said that eighty percent of success is showing up. LeDandy would put this figure slightly higher. When I interviewed for my current job, I was asked what I considered to be my greatest strength. "It's not sexy," I said, "but I show up every day for work." This is perhaps the most basic task that someone can perform yet many fail due to a lack of discipline. Nothing irritates LeDandy more than someone who cannot keep his/her appointments, whether it be for work or social engagements.

A few weeks ago I had an appointment at work with a vendor who wanted to give me an online presentation of a software package. An hour before the scheduled time the vendor left a voicemail for me and said that she had to cancel our appointment but wanted to reschedule a time later in the week. No explanation was given in her voicemail.

I called up the vendor and told her that I was not interested in rescheduling. She was shocked. I told her that her first impression was not good and I'll look at other providers. If a company's first impression is one of sloppiness, can you imagine what their tech support is like? As with interviews and dating, a good first impression is critical for conveying a positive image and inspiring confidence.

Showing up on time is critical for an applicant at a job interview. In my opinion, on time means no more than five minutes early and not one minute late. By showing up on time and properly dressed, I estimate that I've already beaten at least half of the candidates for the job. It doesn't matter if the opening is for a chancellor of a university or a loan officer. Punctuality matters.

At left is a Sportscaster card featuring Soviet runner Valeri Borzov, winner of the 1972 Olympics 100m race. LeDandy keeps this card on the wall in his office. It is an inspirational piece. He was the third fastest man at best in the competition yet he won the gold medal. Why? Because he showed up. The two American runners could have easily beaten him but they didn't appear for the qualifying heats due to moronic team managers who weren't paying attention to schedule changes. You can't win if you don't show up.

Punctuality alone will not guarantee your success. However, by showing up you will have eliminated a sizable part of the competition.

The Family is Complete

2011-06-24T20:17:00.001-07:00

LeDandy's pen case holds four pens and he finally added the fourth pen to the set. Actually, this is my fifth pen but one of them is a Michael's FatBoy which doesn't fit in the case. The FatBoy's girth is far too large for the case. The newest addition to the collection is the black Montblanc Meisterstuck second from left.

A friend of mine had the pen in her store out on the counter for customers to sign their charge slips. It was among a bunch of cheap disposable pens. She wasn't familiar with the brand and I told her it was far too valuable to be left on the counter. I was shocked when she offered it to me. It would have been rude to turn down a gift. At least that's what I tell myself.

So what do I think of the Montblanc? This brand is a little too recognizable but it is a damn good pen. Better than I thought it would be. It has a nice weight, smooth twist mechanism for retraction and the little snowcap on top of the barrel is very cute. Given a choice between my yellow Waterman Charleston and this Montblanc, I would definitely choose the Waterman. The Waterman has superior balance and design. But if you want to impress people at a meeting or interview, the Montblanc is superior. Lets face it, sometimes you do need to make a powerful impression.

I switch pens several times a day. When you're stuck in an office, it helps to have some adult toys to break up the routine of the day.

Tough Guy

2011-06-19T08:35:00.001-07:00

Sometimes style is the absence of clothing.

Vintage Versace

2011-06-18T21:34:00.000-07:00

From the mid 1980s in an Italian magazine.

A Wonderful Purchase

2011-06-15T12:28:00.000-07:00

LeDandy, what happened to all the fashion posts? You can say that I'm taking a break from fashion articles these days. I still have my interest in the area and take great pleasure from my signature items (i.e., pince-nez and opera pumps) and wardrobe in general. I just don't have anything more to say on the subject right now.

A few months ago I was asked at a job interview whom I admired in the current political scene. I said "no one." All the good ones, in my opinion, belonged in past eras. One of these men was James Francis Byrnes, secretary of state under Truman and a highly influential political figure under FDR. Mr. Byrnes was known for his hard line approach with Japan in the closing months of WWII and an advocate of using the A bomb.* He played to win.

James Byrnes not only served as secretary of state, but was also a Supreme Court justice, US senator and representative as well as governor of South Carolina. It was a remarkable career and he nearly became president at one point.

The letter above is dated August 30, 1945. An interesting point in history as it was just after VJ Day yet a few days before the formal end of WWII. It was a high point in American history. No, probably the highest as the US stood as the greatest power in the world.
_________________________
*LeDandy believes that pivotal element in Japan's decision to surrender was the Soviet Union's declaration of war on Japan on Aug. 8, 1945 and not the atomic bombings.

Garson and the Bear

2011-06-11T09:47:00.000-07:00

Even cats need some rest from a demanding day's tasks.

The Opposite of Twitter

2011-06-08T20:21:00.000-07:00

LeDandy recently acquired this wonderful letter by Secretary of State Robert Lansing, dated Nov. 23, 1915. They named a city in Michigan after Mr. Lansing. Just joking. But I do like this letter urging a prominent businessman in New York to assist with a reception committee for the Pan-American Scientific Congress. The text is clearly boilerplate but this doesn't detract from the content of the letter.

In particular, I love the valediction. "I am, Sir, Your obedient servant..." I checked on Wikipedia and form of closing in a letter is still recognized in formal correspondence. I've never seen it modern usage. I am tempted nevertheless to employ it in future usage. It is a phrase sure to be noticed.

The second to last paragraph makes a great read. It contains some very elegant prose with a very simple meaning: we don't have any money to pay you.

I can't imagine our current secretary of state writing something so elegant. So much for evolution.

LeDandy's Commencement Address

2011-06-06T12:07:00.000-07:00

LeDandy has reached an age when he believes that he finally has some wisdom to share with the younger generations. No, it will not be about fashion this time. I'm serious. All I can say is that I wish someone told me the following points when I graduated from school.

1) Surround yourself with good people. This applies to the workplace as well as your social life. If your workplace has a preponderance of jerks, it's time to look for a new job. If you cannot find good friends, it is better to be by yourself.

2) Location is critical. You may not be living in the right place. Some people thrive in certain locales while others suffer. Find the right place for yourself to live and work.

3) Don't be rigid with your goals. You may find yourself following a completely different path in life, much different from what you imagined.

The Girls of Summer (1976)

2011-06-04T13:53:00.000-07:00

During the 1976 Montreal Olympics, LeDandy had a major crush on East German swimmer Kornelia Ender. I recently managed to get the card above of her on eBay. For the sake of decorum, I had to black out certain areas of the photo! This is a Sportscaster card dating from the late 1970s. These cards were available only through mail order and they covered virtually every sport in the world. The reverse of the card contains pertinent info on the subject.

A nice addition to LeDandy's ephemera collection.

Here is a group image of the gold winning relay team featuring Ms. Ender. A time to celebrate. I'll even forgive the dark socks in this case.

No Toots or Tweets

2011-06-02T15:41:00.000-07:00

Not from LeDandy at least. Ever walk down a city sidewalk and notice the idiots with their heads buried in their iPads, iPhones sending texts and tweets while oblivious to their surroundings? I vowed never to be part of that crowd. I go one step further and actively campaign against Twitter. You may have noticed the Twitter logo in the left hand column of this blog with an "X" over it.*

I read the article on Wikipedia regarding Twitter. In that article they claim Twitter content can be categorized as:

Pointless babble – 40%
Conversational – 38%
Pass-along value – 9%
Self-promotion – 6%
Spam – 4%
News – 4%

LeDandy respectfully disagrees. It is more like 100% bullshit.

It is not just the content that draws my wrath.

Have you ever read Orwell's 1984? In the book, the all powerful government created a new language called Newspeak which had a deliberately shrinking and simplified vocabulary. Its purpose was clear: to control thought by controlling the means of communication.

In a way, Twitter is similar to Newspeak. Messages are limited in size to 140 characters. It is hard to convey a meaningful concept with this limit. I remember when emails became popular and many saw this development as a deterioration in our writing skills. Twitter takes this thought to a whole new level.

This isn't an original LeDandy thought. Other bloggers have compared Twitter to Newspeak.

Don't worry about Big Brother infringing on our personal freedoms. We are doing it to ourselves by "dumbing down" our mode of communication.

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*LeDandy's contempt for Facebook was well documented in a prior post.

A Job Well Done

2011-05-29T09:14:00.000-07:00

LeDandy has a desk job during the week. Accounting and personnel matters take up most of my time at the office. I enjoy it but every now and then I have a burning desire to do something that has physical results. This weekend I decided to wash and wax our SUV. I wax our cars about three times a year and there is nothing like the satisfaction of moving your hand along a freshly waxed surface.* It takes about an hour and a half to wash and wax our Toyota Highlander. This is a good workout!

I also get the satisfaction of having saved a significant sum of money by doing it myself. Our local car wash charges $15 for a wash and $60 for a wax. It definitely pays to do it yourself, if you can. Also, it makes me feel better about spending money on my collectibles. Yesterday I purchased a letter signed by James Byrnes, secretary of state under Truman. A guilt-free purchase!

Which shoes did LeDandy wear for washing and waxing the car? Crocs, of course. They may not be a fashion statement, but they are definitely functional for the task described above.

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*Not necessarily Brazilian.

George H. Dern, Secretary of War

2011-05-28T17:44:00.000-07:00

LeDandy has not forsaken the world of fashion. He stills wears his opera pumps and pince-nez. It is just not a subject I wish to discuss these days. I'm more into collectibles and gathering esoteric pieces of history. My latest addition has been an autograph card with accompanying envelope from George Dern.

The last name may ring a bell with movie fans. George Dern was the grandfather of actor Bruce Dern and great-grandfather to actress Laura Dern. As secretary of war, Mr. Dern served in FDR's cabinet from 1934 until his death in 1936. The War Department was rather quiet in this time period as the country was in an isolationist mode and still in midst of the Great Depression. You won't find much history regarding Mr. Dern.

The great thing about this purchase is the accompanying envelope from the War Department. It is dated Nov. 30, 1934 and has the cancellation mark "mail early for Christmas." During the Depression I'm sure there weren't a lot of gifts exchanged in most households. A nice autograph was sure welcome then.

By the Bay in May

2011-05-16T13:57:00.000-07:00

LeDandy took a day off from work so he could go on a long bike ride. As previously discussed in a prior post, my favorite path is the Alameda Creek Regional Trail here in Fremont. It stretches for eleven miles and ends at the Bay.

I've been looking forward to this ride for weeks as I've been pretty busy at work. Rain was predicted for today. I didn't care as I took my chances. Fortunately I was able to beat the rain. It was cold and windy but at least dry. It was a great time.

The Bay was a little turbulent.

Moscow 1980

2011-05-12T20:41:00.000-07:00

The missing Olympics for those of us in the U.S. Thank you Jimmy Carter for that ignorant boycott which resulted in nothing except misery for American athletes and fans.

The Mundane Practice of Shoe Care

2011-05-10T20:00:00.000-07:00

It is about time to address LeDandy's shoe care practices. It is not exciting but it is necessary as I want the longest possible life for my shoes. The styles I like are hard to find and I do prefer the quality of vintage footwear. My shoe care routine is different from the mainstream practices. Big surprise.

First of all, high polished shoes are not my priority. I am more interested in properly cleaned and conditioned shoes. A high polish is only a cosmetic touch and more at home on a parade ground. I want to keep the leather of my shoes in the best condition possible. The shine is secondary.

For most of my shoes I use the standard Lexol cleaner and conditioner every three or four months, then follow up with a neutral cream for polishing. There are those who recommend polishing your shoes after every wear or once a week. This is crazy! Unless of course they are trying to sell you shoe care products.

LeDandy has four pairs of shoe trees. I let the shoe trees sit in the shoes for a few days after wear and then rotate them out. For shoes in my shoe reserve, I stuff newspaper into them.

Bored yet? I am.

Market Value v. Personal Value

2011-05-07T07:40:00.000-07:00

LeDandy is a big fan of the current tv shows which address antiques and collectibles. Antiques Roadshow on PBS is the classic show in this area, but other programs such as Pawn Stars, American Pickers, and Oddities have made a credible appearance as they address a different niche in the collectibles world.

While watching these shows, I realize how much the principles of Reform Dandyism affect my thinking when it comes to collectibles. With the exception of Oddities, the focus of other shows is money. How much is an item worth in the marketplace, hence market value. If it is worth a lot of money, people are pleased. If the market value is low or non-existent, the item's owner walks away disappointed.

LeDandy isn't concerned about market value when it comes to his collection. Remember, this is a hobby. I do it because I truly love the items in my collection. They have a connection to history which interests me. If other people aren't interested in these items, I don't care. Well, actually I do care. Less demand from others results in a lower purchase price for me. The items I collect have a personal value* to me. A market of one, if you will.

A good example is my autograph card of Kenneth Royall, the last Secretary of War. In 1947 the War Department was abolished and the Defense Department took its place. Mr. Royall was the last holder as secretary and this term lasted only two months. As my autograph is on a War Department card and dated during his term, I imagine such an item is quite scarce if not rare. The market value is determined by supply and demand. While the autograph is in low supply, so is the demand. With LeDandy's collection, the market demand is usually quite low.

I wouldn't trade my Royall autograph for a Warhol print or a pair of Nuremburg spectacles even though these items have a high market value. The Royall autograph is at least scarce and I'd have a very hard time replacing it.

By the way, I paid $10 for the Royall autograph and I was the only bidder.
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*Personal value is not to be confused with sentimental value, a term meaning only an owner's direct experience and connection with an object.

Standing Out from the Crowd

2011-05-05T18:31:00.000-07:00

In my search for John Sargent material on eBay, I ran across this wonderful photo which has since sold. It featured Calvin Coolidge and his cabinet members in front of the White House. I thought the picture was a little pricey for a purchase but I do admire the character shown in this photo. Of course a picture like this one could never take place today due to security concerns. It was a different time back then.

It is easy to tell who stands out in this group. Attorney General John G. Sargent is the one wearing the light colored suit. Everyone else wore a somber dark suit as is proper for such a photo. Mr. Sargent bent the rules a little for this one.

Better Red than Dead

2011-04-27T18:52:00.000-07:00

Today LeDandy had to wear his opera pumps with red socks. It is a powerful combination so I decided to stay with a red sweater for consistency. The important thing to remember was to stay from a white shirt.

LeDandy's Office Decoration

2011-04-23T17:14:00.000-07:00

LeDandy's framed autograph of John G. Sargent, Attorney General (1925-29). On Monday this will be proudly displayed in my office. Needless to say, I'll be the first one in my office to have such an item!

Cat on a Cold Wood Fence

2011-04-20T06:43:00.000-07:00

The Honorable John G. Sargent

2011-04-16T14:04:00.000-07:00

This picture along with his autographed card will soon be framed and placed in LeDandy's office. Who is John Sargent? A fair enough question. He was Calvin Coolidge's attorney general from 1925 to 1929. His claim to fame? Nothing, really. But that is more my point. These days we seem to thrive on conflict and strife. Everything needs to be a major event. Look at any tv reality series or the latest political developments. Sometimes being a competent and decent person is enough.

While he was attorney general, Mr. Sargent did stand up to a young J. Edgar Hoover. The Coolidge Administration believed in limited government and professed a more libertarian view than today's so-called conservatives. Regarding the Marcus Garvey case, Mr. Sargent spoke out against Hoover's wire tapping and entrapment tactics before Congress. This may be a footnote in history but it means something to me.

In a week I should have my framed photo and autograph card. The owner of the frame shop told me he didn't get many framing requests for Coolidge documents. I guess everyone has been sold on the JFK nonsense.

Oh yes, the photo above was taken by Bachrach. There was a statement on the back of the photo that credit must be given to them. The last thing I need is for the photography police to show up at my door!

Spring Fever

2011-04-15T19:34:00.000-07:00

I don't really need to show you the rest of the outfit.

1970 World Cup Ticket

2011-04-12T20:33:00.000-07:00

Today was a very happy day for LeDandy as he added a very scarce item to his collection of World Cup tickets: a ticket to a 1970 first round game between the USSR and El Salvador. For some odd reason I've always been a fan of the old Soviet Union soccer team. Maybe it's because they were the "bad boys." They never did win a World Cup but they had some incredible talent and they usually played very well. Unfortunately they never had any luck at the critical times.

In this World Cup game played in Mexico City, the Soviets won 2-0 over a decent yet outclassed El Salvadoran side. Anotoli Bishovets scored both goals. Following this game, the USSR lost a heartbreaker to a superb Uruguayan side in extra time. I've watched video clips on YouTube of these games and it was a real treat to watch the action unfold in these games.

Many soccer fans consider the 1970 World Cup to be the best in terms of game quality. Many national sides were superb that year and England was considered the favorite prior to the tournament. Of course we now know the brilliance of Pele and company. I'm thrilled to have this wonderful piece of soccer history.

Ads I Like to See

2011-04-10T08:50:00.000-07:00

LeDandy has not forsaken his straight male readers. I ran across this brilliant vintage ad for women's tennis clothing in one of my magazines from yesterday's purchase. A very inspiring photo.

Vintage Fashion Magazines: Nourishment for the Soul

2011-04-09T17:53:00.000-07:00

Today did not get off to a good start. I had to get up at 6:30 on a Saturday and then later went for a dental appointment. It makes one want to be at work. But the day finished off with a very successful excursion to a used bookstore. LeDandy picked up six European fashion magazines from the 1980's. Below is my catch for the day.

There is some amazing material in these magazines and it will take some time to go through them. Here is a sampler of the swimwear items from the 1980's. No wonder I prefer the fashion from more than twenty years ago.

Good Friends

2011-04-08T21:17:00.000-07:00

A great friendship is a wonderful thing.

Potpourri Thursday

2011-04-07T17:15:00.000-07:00

Polo Friends & Family Sale

     Clearly, LeDandy doesn't qualify for it.

LeDandy on Facebook

     "Nothing good ever came out of Facebook."

John G. Sargent

     LeDandy recently added Sargent's autograph to his collection. Who was John Sargent? He was Calvin Coolidge's attorney general from 1925-29. You may not have heard his name before. This is not surprising as he is not known for anything noteworthy. More on him in a later post.

LeDandy's Zoo

2011-04-02T09:58:00.000-07:00

This morning our dog Sandy, the Shepherd/Chow mix, was barking loudly in the backyard and jumping against the fence. I went out to see what attracted her attention and it turned out to be an opossum in the tree! Sandy killed one a few months ago so I brought her in the house and took this picture.

Opossums are not strangers in our community. But what made today different was that there was a baby opossum who showed up later. LeDandy was fortunate to get this shot below. May both of them avoid dogs and lead a good life.

Springtime for LeDandy, Part Friday

2011-04-01T20:02:00.000-07:00

Not content with the rose colored pants from yesterday, LeDandy went for the knockout punch with his bright green trousers. The difference between trousers and pants? About $50. Friday is my favorite day of the week and April 1st is a very special day. It is LeDandy's anniversary. One of my favorite color combinations is green and navy blue.

Yes, the colors are true in this photo.

Shoes for this ensemble? I went with my old Braganos, complete with heavy tassels and kiltie. I bought these shoes a few years ago from my friend Jason on eBay.