Okay, I’ve climbed out of a surprisingly detailed rabbit hole researching the name and address that was inside the bag of this hat.
I won’t give the gentleman’s full name so as not to join the many references to him that I was able to find even with my rather limited Google Fu.
Suffice it to say, this fella, Phil, USMC veteran who served in Korea and SE Asia, lived to the ripe old age of 77 in Westerville, Oh. He retired in 1992 and died in 2008. Salute and Semper Fidelis.
Phil’s hat, in practically brand new condition, is equipped with the 3rd version of the crown lable (Care Instructiins). Inside the crown pocket, along with the $ and Phil’s address, was a complete set of original brag tags (last version of the pre-“800-ENDURES” BTs). The newest date on the cash was 2001. Also an extra wind cord that showed signs of fraying from the pocket Velcro.
Conclusions:
The “Care Instructions” crown label makes no mention of the website address so I’ve long assumed that this label’s use pre-dated 1993-5 when the website addy was first registered/used. I’ve since found a number of “C.I.” crown labels accompanied by manuals dated ‘01 and now the presence of this ‘01 dated cash, I’m beginning to think that Tilley used this no website C.I. label right up into this century and, presumably, for years after the website was registered.
in 2001, Phil turned 70. Perhaps this hat was a birthday present. Strikes me that someone only readies their hat with address and cash immediately upon receiving it. Or perhaps the address sticker and $ were added by the giver. Possibly the giver was his loving wife of 55 years, Geri, who, as of this writing still lives and is about to turn 90 years young. Happy Bday, madam!
I imagine Phil was not pleased when he saw the very un-military appearance of his wind cord after contact with the Velcro in the crown pocket so he replaced it. Careful child of the Great Depression that he was, he carefully tucked the, now surplus, wind cord into that secret pocket once its replacement was received, against a day when it might be needed. That day (probably) never arrived, but he was ready, nevertheless.
Alas, the rabbit hole bottomed out with the sad news that Phil’s Grandson, educated as a doctor and about to begin his professional career, chose instead to travel to Ukraine to help the people there struggling under the Russian invasion. He eventually enlisted as a corpsman and, died there earlier this year at the age of 26. Salute and Slava Ukraine
Wheew… what a journey can be found inside a Tilley’s secret pocket!
(and yes, this makes me want to put detailed ID info, and cash, in every single one of the Tilleys that I wear!)
