Winter Sale
January 10, 2012
You can easily judge the character of others by how they treat those who can do nothing for them or to them.
-- Malcolm S. Forbes
Anatomy of a Gift Certificate
December 16, 2011
I guess it is only natural that I would be obsessed as to how our gift certificate looks. A customer told me it was as if we were making a suit. So be it. As it should be. After all, it is a gift. Sure it is to be redeemed for merchandise, but until it turns into a beautiful hand-made handkerchief, or a pair of suede shoes, or a bar of English soap, or a custom-tailored suit, it shows respect for the beauty of what the future holds. Gift certificates, in our opinion, should also be beautiful. Even experiential. The Harrison Limited gift certificate is made by hand, hand letterpressed, and even hand-painted on the edges. It is rich in texture and tone. So perhaps even our gift certificate itself creates a sense of joy. We think it should. Are we overthinking the gift certificate? Perhaps so. But that’s what we do. That’s who we are. Too old to change. Come pick one up.
Scott
Handmade Footballs
December 6, 2011
This football just feels good in your hands. Craftsman Paul Cunningham makes each Leather Head football by hand from rich, American-tanned leather, rawhide lacing, and with painstaking detail. After years spent pondering the design in his Glen Rock, New Jersey workshop, Paul officially introduced these fine footballs in 2009. Each hide is individually selected, oiled and dyed to reveal its unique characteristics. The workmanship inspires.
The owner of this ball will be right to call it a work of art, but make no mistake—as rugged as it is handsome, it is meant to be thrown and will last for a lifetime. Go ahead, hold it and get a whiff of the leather. Trust us, you need this football in your life. Come on in and pick one up.
Innocence Lost
November 22, 2011
I was 11 years old when President Kennedy was assassinated. I remember our teacher running to us at recess with tears streaming down her face. We came back into the class and just sat. There was no news feed, no internet, no radio. Just, the president was shot and now he was dead. It was dark, dismal, sad news.
As usual, I rode my bike home after school. I tried to be strong but instead felt myself getting weaker with every pump of my legs. As I pulled into the driveway and saw my mother with tears streaming down her face, my own floodgates opened. All the strength an 11-year old-could muster suddenly came tumbling down. I ran to my mother, and we wept together in the doorway.
My mother encouraged me to write a letter to Mrs. Kennedy. She said that would make Mrs. Kennedy feel better and maybe me, as well. And so I did. I also included a small poem.
Several weeks later, a note from Mrs. Kennedy arrived in our mailbox. It was addressed to me. I am sure millions of similar preprinted notes blanketed the country. But to a small 11-year-old boy in South Alabama, this note was just for me. In my innocence I just knew she cared about me enough to send me a note in return.
I kind of feel John Kennedy had that trait himself. When he spoke we felt he was speaking directly to us. We can argue and disagree about his politics or his choices, but the fact remains that when he died, the innocence that America had, slowly started to erode. Will it come back in this age of technology and instant gratification? I am not sure. But I yearn for it. I yearn for tradition, and simplicity, and elegance, and grace. I saw that in a President who served when I was 11. And sadly I saw part of it vanish the day he died.
My granddaughter always says that she likes the way I talk and dress—she says it reminds her of what it was like a long time ago.
I guess I never let go.
TDS, Harrison customer
Baby, it’s cold outside.
November 17, 2011
Since 1797 (yes, 1700), Johnstons of Elgin has been crafting the most thoughtful knitwear. The Scots truly know how to stay warm in style. Located in the beautiful Scottish Borders, Johnstons of Elgin’s Hawick Mill sits on the banks of the River Teviot. Harrison is honored to present a limited offering of Johnstons of Elgin wool and cashmere blankets, scarves and gloves. These exquisitely crafted classics are perfect gifts to a loved one or perhaps even to yourself. We truly have a limited supply so we encourage you to come in to experience these truly marvelous accessories.
Cashmere and wool scarves
Cashmere and wool gloves