As with other Hermes silk twill ties, the repeating pattern is larger than you’d first think. It’s not a simple AB-AB pattern. If you look closely, you’ll notice different bends in each of the cobra necks. Also, the snake-charmer’s flute is raised and lowered at different angles throughout the pattern.

The swami on this necktie reminds me of the cover to a book that I enjoyed, The Rise of the Indian Rope Trick, by Peter Lamont.

(That swami certainly gets around.)

I bought this book at Powell’s book store in Portland, Oregon. Several years ago, I was in Portland for a performance and dropped into Powell’s in the Pearl District during a free afternoon. If you’re a book lover, this megastore is a step closer to heaven. It claims to be the largest independent used and new book store in the world. If you get a chance to visit, you won’t doubt this claim.

The Lamont book I picked up is a fascinating study of the legendary and controversial trick known as the Indian Rope Trick. Lamont argues that the trick is a spectacular hoax, and that through an odd set of circumstances – helped along by the power of the press – the world has been duped into thinking that this trick truly exists.

One of my favorite photos appears near the end of this book, depicting Alfred Hitchcock staring upward in skeptical disbelief at the rigid rope at his side. For a better view of this photo, please click the image to enlarge:

Looking back, this blog post was written in a stream-of-consciousness fashion: moving swiftly from a luxury necktie to a Portland bookshop, followed by a clever book and the Master of Suspense. Something for everyone, I hope??

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