Sporting

Ernest Hemingway's African Safari Rifle Up for Auction

Filed under: Auctions, Sports, Men's Style, The Classicist

A remarkable double-barreled elephant gun made by London's Westley Richards in 1913 that belonged to Ernest Hemingway and was used by the famed author on safari in Africa is being offered for auction on March 14. The impressive .577-caliber Nitro Express, the starring lot at James D. Julia Auctioneers' Important Firearms sale in Fairfield, Maine, comes with the original case and accessories and is expected to fetch between $150,000 – $200,000. The 16-pound rifle, engraved with rhinos and tigers and designed to bag the biggest game, has its own chapter in the new book Hemingway's Guns: The Sporting Arms of Ernest Hemingway.

Gallery: Ernest Hemingway's Safari Gun

Tags: Africa, auction, author, celebrity, celebrity auction, celebrity guns, Ernest Hemingway, Ernest Hemingway Africa, Ernest Hemingway guns, Ernest Hemingway safari, ernest+hemingway+guns, ernest+hemingway+on+safari, ernesthemingwayguns, ernesthemingwayonsafari, firearms, gun, gunsmith, Hemingway, Hemingway gun, Hemingway safari, Hemingway shotgun, hemingway+rifle, hemingwayrifle, hunting, Key West, Maine, rifle, Royal Warrant, safari, shooting, shotgun, sporting, sporting style, UK, Westley Richards, writer

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Ralph Lauren Sporting Chronograph Guilloche Steel Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Ralph Lauren Sporting Chronograph Guilloche Steel Watch

This new for 2011 Ralph Lauren watch is pretty nice, and is a sort of hybrid model between the Classic Slim and the Sporting Chronograph. Ralph Lauren literally took the case decor and dial look of the Classic Slim, and put in the Jaeger-LeCoultre automatic chronograph movement from the Sporting Chronograph watch models. From a naming perspecting they could have chosen either of the influencing models, but they chose the Sporting. I guess it could have been called the "Classic Chronograph." Too generic? Maybe.

Tags: 2011, chronograph, engraved, guilloche, Ralph Lauren, sporting, watch

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Classic Cars, Fine Wine & Cool Design: The Duncan Quinn Appellation Rally

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining, Luxury Cars & Autos, Wine, Events, Men's Style, The Classicist

Classic Cars, Fine Wine & Cool Design: The Duncan Quinn Appellation Rally

Dashing designer Duncan Quinn, known for his roguish take on Savile Row style, is hosting the ultimate gentleman's getaway on Saturday, March 26 for those who appreciate classic cars, fine wine and gourmet meals as much as razor-sharp threads. The Duncan Quinn Appellation Rally features a fleet of wicked wheels from Manhattan's Classic Car Club – including a 1968 Porsche 911, an AC Cobra, Austin Mini (think The Italian Job), Jaguar E-Type roadster, and Ferrari Dino (above) – leaving the city for an overnight jaunt to a 2,500 acre spread in upstate New York via scenic byways and state parks in one hell of a stylish convoy.

There guests will be treated to cocktails followed by an impressive meal from celebrated chef Neil Ferguson accompanied an amazing selection of vintage wines, retiring afterwards to rustic suites. Following breakfast on Sunday also by Ferguson there will be a spot of skeet shooting before another scenic drive back to town. "Tweeds are an option, but style is a must," Quinn tells us. There are only 14 spots on the list, and several have already been filled; the price is $2,000 for singles and $3,000 per couple including the cars and everything except gas and speeding tickets. Call the designer's New York store at 212 226-7030 to reserve.

Gallery: Duncan Quinn Appellation Rally March 2011

Tags: AC Cobra, chef, Classic Car Club, classic cars, cool+classic+cars, coolclassiccars, Duncan Quinn, events, Ferrari, Jaguar E-Type, luxury cars, mens style, neil+ferguson+chef, neilfergusonchef, New York, Porsche, rally, Savile Row, skeet shooting, sporting, vintage+car, vintagecar

Orvis Presents North America's Finest Hunting Lodges

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Sports, Books

Last spring we reported that legendary Vermont-based sporting outfitters Orvis had published a great new book on fly fishing's finest destinations. Now the company has come out with an equally compelling companion volume on hunting game birds. Great Hunting Lodges of North America: Wingshooting's Finest Destinations (Rizzoli) is a lavishly illustrated look at the very best upland and waterfowl hunting destinations around. Profiles of almost 20 featured Orvis destinations celebrate the great American sporting tradition and include detailed information on the local game species and wildlife, the lodge and the surrounding countryside, along with in-depth sidebars on key game birds and sporting dogs. Even if you're merely an armchair adventurer who's never fired a shotgun the great outdoor photography is worth the price of admission in its own right. Featured lodges include the Eagle Nest Lodge in Montana, Flying B Ranch in Idaho, Greystone Castle in Texas, The High Lonesome Ranch in Colorado, Mexico's Rancho Caracol, Deer Creek Lodge in Kentucky, Harris Springs Sportsman's Preserve in South Carolina and Pine Hill Plantation in Georgia. Check out the gallery for a preview.

Gallery: Great Hunting Lodges of North America

Tags: books, coffee table books, Colorado, dogs, fishing, fly fishing, Georgia, guns, hunting, hunting lodge, Idaho, Kentucky, Montana, Orvis, Rancho Caracol, shotgun, sporting, sports, Texas, Vermont, wildlife

The Classicist: Etiqueta Negra Launches 'Classic Cars' Collection

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Luxury Cars & Autos, Sports, Men's Style, The Classicist, Luxury Shopping

This season Argentina-based design house Etiqueta Negra, known for its modern take on masculine, equestrian and sporting style, is launching a new men´s collection inspired by one of our favorite things: classic cars. The company's Classic Cars Collection features casual wear such as sweaters, t-shirts, jeans, down vests and leather jackets characterized by clean lines and neutral colors - black, white and dark gray - with a touch of yellow in the detailing designed to evoke traditional motor racing livery. The sporty and sleek pieces range in price from $40 to $1,200 for a leather motorcycle jacket.

"I've had a passion for automobiles since I was a child and am an avid car collector," explains the label's founder Federico Alvarez Castillo. "This appreciation for beautiful cars has played a central role in the design and aesthetic of Etiqueta Negra as a brand from its inception. It was only appropriate to integrate the vehicles into the design of the clothes." Etiqueta Negra, which means "Black Label", is committed to impeccable craftsmanship and the highest quality fabrics, from Pima cotton to fine denim, cashmere and merino.

They also offer a line of leather shoes designed exclusively for them by Casa Fagliano, the Argentina-based maker of Prince Charles' bespoke polo boots. Prices for the princely footwear begin at $2,500 a pair. Etiqueta Negra also sponsors a polo team in Argentina called Ellerstina, ranked as one of the country's best, which serves as the mascot for its Polo Team Collection comprised of chic sporting classics. Both collections are now available in the company's stores, including the recently opened New York outpost. The stylish spaces (above) are decorated with vintage leather luggage, racing helmets and handmade riding boots set against a background of dark wood paneling, iron beams, black and white photography and vintage-inspired industrial lighting.

Gallery: Etiqueta Negra Classic Cars

Tags: Alfa Romeo, Argentina, car, classic cars, equestrian, Etiqueta Negra, Ferrari, horses, leather, luggage, Maserati, mens style, motor racing, motorcycle, New York, polo, Prince Charles, Sienna Miller, sporting

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The Classicist: Historic British Polo Estate Cowdray Park for Sale at $38 Million

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates, Sports, The Classicist

Cowdray Park, the country sporting estate famed as the home of British polo, has been listed for sale at £25 million, or about $38 million, in what UK estate agents are calling "the landmark property sale of the decade." The 19th century estate, centered on a 13-bedroom, 44,000-sq.-ft. manor house (above) built circa 1874, is set in 110 acres of parkland with horse paddocks and stables, two lakes, landscaped gardens and a cricket pitch, as well as its own a hamlet of cottages. It also includes the original practice ground where polo was first played in England 100 years ago.

"For anyone keen on polo, this has to be the ultimate property as it literally adjoins the polo club which is the British home of the sport," Edward de Mallet Morgan, of Knight Frank, the agency handling the sale, tells the London Telegraph. The property, situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in West Sussex, does not include the estate's famous Cowdray Park Polo Club, which hosts 450 matches a year including the Veuve Clicquot Gold Cup featuring the world's top players including Prince Harry, however. The mansion features both indoor and outdoor swimming pools, wine cellars, tennis courts, and a bowling alley.

The estate's architectural merit matches its illustrious sporting heritage. Stained glass windows, oak, stone and marble fireplaces, ornate cornices, mouldings and period paneling abound. The spectacular great hall has a barrel vaulted ceiling, minstrel's gallery and massive fireplace. The estate's owner, Viscount Cowdray, considered turning it into a luxury hotel, spa and conference center before deciding to sell the historic property after failing to find a suitable business partner for the venture. He is retaining ownership of most of the 16,000 acres of land surrounding the mansion, which includes a ruined castle, a golf club, holiday cottages, farmland and the polo club, however, and plans to move to a smaller house on the property.

Gallery: Cowdray Park, Home of British Polo

De Mallet Morgan has said that there has already been considerable interest in the estate from wealthy Russian, Middle Eastern and Indian prospective buyers. Cowdray Park has been owned by the Cowdray family since 1909 when it was purchased by the engineer and oil industrialist Sir Weetman Dickinson Pearson. The first competitive polo tournaments were recorded at Cowdray in 1910, and by the 1920s a series of competitions with dedicated cups and trophies was firmly established, such as the Coronation Cup, first presented in 1911 to celebrate the coronation of King George V.

Source

Tags: country house, Cowdray Park, Cowdray Park Polo Club, England, equestrian, estate, horses, polo, Prince Harry, sporting, UK, Veuve Clicquot

Exclusive Polo Excursions at Argentina's Estancia El Venado

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Sports

The luxurious 2,500-acre Estancia El Venado, one of the most historic and beautiful guest ranches in Argentina, is offering an exclusive polo excursion for high-end equestrians who want to brush up on the sport of kings. The luxurious Estancia, founded in the mid-1800s and located about 100 miles south of Buenos Aires, is owned by professional polo player Federico Cendoya, whose family has owned El Vendado for four generations. Cendoya has been training and coaching international polo players ranging beginners to experienced players for over 30 years. Available from mid-April through October, El Venado's polo excursion is an excellent introduction for new players to the sport or an opportunity for experienced players to gain expertise. The package includes stick and ball sessions in the morning and practice chukkers in the evening. During the morning sessions guests will work on horsemanship and swing mechanics, while the practice chukkers focus on rules, game strategy, field positioning – and fun. Surprisingly affordable, rates begin at just $300 per person per night.

[via JustLuxe]

Tags: Argentina, Buenos Aires, equestrian, Estancia El Venado, horses, polo, sporting

British Polo Players to Take Breathalyzer Tests - Prince Harry, This Means You

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits, Sports

Champagne is the perfect accompaniment to the aristocratic sport of polo, but if you're playing rather than merely watching it at Britain's most prestigious fields you'll have to do your quaffing after the match. The game's regulatory body in the UK, the Hurlingham Polo Association, is introducing random alcohol testing for players in a bid to promote professionalism. Yes, that includes polo and party-loving royal Prince Harry (above). The limit will be set at half the amount considered unsafe for driving a car. Failing a breathalyzer test will not get a player banned for the season, the Guardian notes, but they will be prevented in playing in the day's match.

Many polo pros have welcomed the move, pointing out that a "good lunch", i.e. one accompanied by plenty of bubbly, never improves performance or safety. "It's always been in our regulations that alcohol and drugs aren't acceptable," notes HPA's chief executive David Woodd, "but now we have the machines which we didn't have before and a doctor or official on hand to use them....At the country club I wouldn't argue that there are players who will have a decent lunch and play afterward. But at the top end of the sport, most of them won't even eat, never mind drink, before they play."

Tags: alcohol, Champagne, country club, drinking, equestrian, horses, polo, Prince Harry, royalty, spirits, sporting, sports, UK

The Classicist: London's Williams Evans & the "Affordable" Bespoke Shotgun

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Sports, Men's Style, The Classicist

Bespoke shotguns have been part of the wealthy British gentleman's essential sporting kit since the turn of the last century. They're as much a part of the English country house persona as tweeds, wellington boots and Range Rovers. Such guns are often passed down from father to son and are cared for like the precious objects they most certainly are. All these things they have long been, but up until now they have never been what one would call "affordable". Now William Evans (above), a top-drawer London gunmaker since 1883, is aiming to change all that with a new line of lower-priced bespoke shotguns that still deliver the quality one expects from a well-established London gunsmith.

William Evans first learnt his craft by working for famed gunsmiths James Purdey & Son and Holland & Holland. In 1883 he founded his own gunmaking business near Buckingham Palace and by 1888 his reputation had grown enough for him to move to more prestigious premises in Pall Mall, opposite St. James's Palace. By this time the core of William Evans' client list was firmly established, notably with military officers in the Guards Regiments who ordered sporting guns and rifles before being posted to various parts of the Empire. The move to St. James's, the heart of London's gentlemen's club district, further strengthened his client list and the company attracted the patronage of members of several prestigious clubs such as White's, Boodles and Brooks.

Gallery: William Evans Gunsmith

Tags: bespoke, bespoke+guns, bespokeguns, British style, guns, hunting, London, men, mens style, Range Rover, shotgun, sporting, sports, UK, William Evans, william+evans+london, williamevanslondon

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Prince Charles Presides at Cartier International Polo

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Events, Sports

HRH Prince Charles presided over the Royal Box at the 26th annual Cartier International Polo Day at the UK's Guards Polo Club in Great Windsor Park the other day. The celebrated event, previewed in The Classicist's column on the English summer social season, is the sport's most prestigious. The bands of the Welsh and Irish Guards and the Light Cavalry of the Honourable Artillery Company performed prior to the contest. The Prince, who arrived in his vintage Aston Martin, was joined by the likes of Tommy Lee Jones and Sir Ben Kingsley to watch as England triumphed over New Zealand to capture the coveted Coronation Cup. VIP guests were served a luncheon by chef Anton Mosimann of champagne, Scottish lobster and Chateaubriand followed by Grand Marnier parfait with raspberry coulis. James Beim, captain of the New Zealand team, was awarded the trophy for Most Valuable Player.

Gallery: Cartier International Polo 2010

Tags: Aston Martin, Cartier, equestrian, New Zealand, Polo, Prince Charles, royalty, sporting, sports, Tommy Lee Jones, UK

New Tailored Clothing from Thomas Pink for Fall

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Men's Style

LVMH-owned London shirtmakers and haberdashers Thomas Pink are expanding their tailoring offerings this fall with a natty new collection of wool and tweed jackets, coats and accessories. The collection takes inspiration from great British sporting events where the country's rich heritage remains in full force. Vintage motoring, bicycling and horse racing all contribute influences to a collection full of color, detail and verve. The move is fitting as the firm's name comes from an 18th century London tailor known for making sought-after foxhunting jackets. They're offering classic covert cloth wool coats with velvet collars in navy and brown windowpane; Harris tweed jackets in salt and pepper and a green and pink windowpane; a corduroy sportcoat with contrast stitching (above); a green tweed shawl collar sweater; and tweed driving caps to match. Of course there's also a wide variety of Pink's signature shirts, silk ties and pocket squares in a variety of styles and fabrics.

Gallery: Thomas Pink Autumn / Winter 2010

Tags: foxhunting, horse racing, London, LVMH, mens style, shirts, sporting, Thomas Pink, ties, tweed

The Classicist: Royal Ascot, Henley, Cowes & the English Summer Season

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Yachts & Sailing, Events, Sports, The Classicist

The English summer season is in full swing with the year's most important and stylish sporting events on the horizon, maintaining the British traditions of horse racing, tennis, rowing, polo and sailing with elegance and ardor. Lord's Test Cricket has passed, but the Royal Ascot races, the Wimbledon tennis championships, Cartier International Polo, the Henley Royal Regatta and the yacht races at Cowes round out a full season's worth of sporting occasions that are as much fun to watch as to participate in. Herewith The Classicist's guide to the best in class (with a tip of the Panama to the London Telegraph); all you need is a pitcher of Pimm's:

Royal Ascot – June 15-19, Ascot Racecourse, Berkshire

Since it was founded by Queen Anne in 1711, the annual Royal Ascot races have become the highlight of the English social season. Ostensibly a five-day sporting event, it's also evolved into something of an immense fashion show, marked by the arrival of the Royal Family in ceremonial horse-drawn carriages every day. It has become the style for ladies to sport increasingly outrageous hats, and lately the traditional rules about "formal day dress" in the coveted Royal Enclosure have been rather loosely interpreted.

Gallery: Royal Ascot & the English Summer Season

Tags: Ascot, Cartier, Cowes, England, equestrian, Henley Royal Regatta, horse racing, Isle of Wight, London, polo, Regatta, Royal Ascot, sailing, sailing yacht, sporting, summer, tennis, UK, Wimbledon, yacht, yachting, yachts

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Polo Star Nacho Figueras Named First-Ever St. Regis Connoisseur

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Sports, Men's Style

St. Regis Hotels & Resorts has named world-renowned polo player and Ralph Lauren model Nacho Figueras as their first-ever St. Regis Connoisseur. As a St. Regis Connoisseur, Nacho will offer St. Regis guests access to some of the greatest polo matches and experiences around the world and help cultivate the next generation of St. Regis guests. He will also work with The St. Regis on developing an exclusive polo website that will feature a global calendar of polo events, information on the fundamentals of the sport, advice on etiquette and what to wear, exciting polo related offers available at St. Regis hotels, and Nacho's insider tips on his personal polo techniques and insights about his travels.

The exclusive polo website, a dedicated location for all elements of the illustrious sport and the lifestyle of those who follow it, can be found at www.stregispolo.com. St. Regis has long been associated with the world of polo (St. Regis' founding family, the Astors, were prominent figures at matches held on Governors Island in New York City) and The St. Regis continues the Astor's commitment to the sport today with celebrated polo event The St. Regis International Cup, that most recently took place on May 22 in Cowdray, UK. Additionally, The St. Regis Singapore has partnered with the Singapore Polo Club to offer VIP guests its signature afternoon tea at the Audemars Piguet International Polo Gold Cup Match taking place on June 6, 2010.

Tags: equestrian, Nacho Figueras, New York City, polo, Ralph Lauren, sporting, St. Regis Hotels Resorts, St.Regis

Fly Fishing's Finest Destinations, Courtesy of Orvis

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Sports, Books

When it comes to fly fishing, legendary Vermont-based sporting outfitters Orvis is the recognized authority. The company celebrates nearly 50 Orvis-endorsed fly-fishing lodges across the U.S. and Canada in a nifty new book for the armchair angler, Great Fishing Lodges of North America. The perfect tool for planning your next outing as well as a rich visual feast for anyone interested in sport fishing or the lodge lifestyle, the book highlights the best destinations from Alaska to Florida, Montana to Maine, and across Canada.

Each lodge is profiled and portrayed along with detailed information on the local waters and its game fish, the lodge, amenities and activities, landscape, and game species and wildlife in the area. Featured lodges in include the Alaska Sportsman's Lodge (Lake Iliamna, AK); The Essex, Vermont's Culinary Resort & Spa (Burlington, VT); Lake Placid Lodge (Lake Placid, NY); Chetola Resort at Blowing Rock (Blowing Rock, NC; The Blue Damsel Lodge (Clinton, MT); North Fork Ranch (Shawnee, CO); Cow Creek Ranch (Pecos, New Mexico); Moose Lake Lodge (Anahim Lake, British Columbia); and more.

Gallery: Great Fishing Lodges

Alaska Sportsman's Lodge, Lake Iliamna, AK

Morrison's Rogue River Lodge, Merlin, OR

Tags: Alaska, books, British Columbia, Canada, coffee table books, fishing, fly fishing, fly-fishing, Lake Placid, Montana, Orvis, outdoors, sporting, sporting goods, Vermont

The Classicist: Barbour's British Sporting Style for Spring & Summer

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Sports, Men's Style, The Classicist

This season famed UK outerwear company Barbour has come out with a collection inspired by a classic British summer sporting escape to the country. Building on the brand's impressive heritage – the firm, founded in 1894, holds Royal Warrants from HM Queen Elizabeth II, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, and HRH The Prince of Wales – the new designs are attractively updated with bright bursts of color, functional detailing and innovative fabrics and finishes. Lightweight outerwear is offered in multiple fabrications including 4 oz. waxed cotton, carbon coated, Duralinen, washed cotton and cotton twill. Fine knits, casual layers and shirts are inspired by polo, cricket and rugby, while other new styles draw from Barbour's long association with international motorcycling and fly-fishing. Distinctive contrast lining designs and reversible quilt and blouson styles round out the new offerings.

There are new additions to each of Barbour's collections: Heritage, Contemporary, Classic, and Sporting. Within the Heritage collection, styles based on Barbour's original motorcycle racing designs explore new lengths, detailing, and lightweight fabrics. A range of T-shirts celebrates the British motorcycle trials heritage. Fine, lightweight midlayers, casual polos and cotton knits add plenty of contrast pattern and color. A new Dry Fly multi pocket casual jacket style, offered in wax, carbon, Duralinen and cotton twill, is adapted from the firm's fishing archive complete with pockets and "D" rings, and its more functional counterpart is introduced into the active Sporting range. Barbour's iconic quilting fabric is reversed to provide shiny statement quilts and gilets such as the Fast Back reversible quilt inspired by 1960s styles, in a bright Atlantic blue.

The Contemporary Collection has evolved from the more classic Barbour garments to become a slightly edgier and more modern wardrobe in its own right. With a slimmer fit and the use of fresh modern fabrics alongside traditional waxes, the designs are perfect for those who wish to take their Barbour-inspired life beyond the country. Key new Contemporary designs include a cotton and linen Sapper jacket with a vintage-inspired Union Jack pattern liner; a short Harrington Blouson jacket in flyweight waxed cotton with a stowaway hood; and a Carbon Durham Kagoule hooded sailing jacket (above) with embroidered Barbour ensign flags on the sleeve, available in yellow, navy and red.

Gallery: Barbour S/S 2010