14th September 2011

BRIDPORT: Where else would you find a hat that fits?

THE USA is the home of the Stetson hat and in particular a style called Boss of the Plains which was designed in 1865 and worn by John Wayne in the 1953 film Hondo.

It would not seem unnatural therefore that the US would be the best place to find one to use on a sculpture of the famous cowboy actor for a display in the Hollywood Wax Works Museum.

Mike Wade who lives and works in Bridport had been commissioned with making the sculpture but was stumped when his search in the USA for a replica hat drew a blank after the only possible supplier quoted him 20 weeks delivery, which was not acceptable to his client.

In desperation Mike, an internationally known wax sculptor whose works include Del Boy, George Clooney and President Obama, turned to local hatter Roger Snook for help.

Roger who had supplied the headgear for Mike’s other sculptures and can claim a number of famous celebrities among his customers going back over a number of decades, was up for the challenge.

A determined man, he checked out his stockroom and in a corner dusted off an old box from 1968 to reveal the exact thing inside. Problem solved.

PICTURE: THE PERFECT FIT - Mike Wade with his sculpture of John Wayne and that Stetson