David Bothell’s Vision: The Story Behind Our Pacific Northwest Town

February 21, 2025
Downtown Bothell. 1915. Courtesy UW Special Collections (WAS0102)

Nestled between Seattle and the foothills of the Cascades, Bothell has long been a gateway to the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest. Once a mill town, the city transformed into a regional center for education and innovation, home to the University of Washington Bothell and a growing tech sector. Despite its growth, Bothell remains deeply tied to its past, with preserved historic sites and annual events that celebrate its pioneer roots.

In 1885, at the age of 65, David Bothell purchased 80 acres of land from George Brackett, inspired by his son’s new life in Seattle. At that time, Seattle was a burgeoning city, attracting settlers and entrepreneurs eager to capitalize on its growth. David and his wife, Mary Ann, opened a boarding house that served as a temporary home for nomads and traveling families alike. Mary Ann’s hearty cooking and warm hospitality made the boarding house a welcoming haven for all who visited.

David Cameron Bothell. Estimated 1880’s. Courtesy of CIVILWARVETS

The Bothells deeply valued community. In late 1885, a family in town gave birth to a baby, the first born in the town of Bothell. The Bothells hosted the christening in their home, bringing together as many neighbors as they could and fostering a sense of belonging. After being elected postmaster, Gerhard Ericksen decided to name the town Bothell, stating, “There are so many Bothells in town and that’s a good name, so let’s call it Bothell.”

After the boarding house burned down in 1889, David Bothell built the Bothell Hotel, which he operated for the remainder of his life. Today, the town’s history and items from David Bothell’s life are protected by the Historic Bothell Society and the Bothell Historical Museum, right by where the Bothell Hotel was built.

What began as a small logging settlement along the Sammamish River quickly grew into a bustling hub for timber and agriculture. With the arrival of the Seattle, Lake Shore & Eastern Railway in 1888, Bothell became a key transport stop, shipping lumber to fuel Seattle’s rapid expansion. Today, Bothell blends its rich history with modern development, boasting vibrant historic districts, top-tier educational institutions, and a thriving biotech industry.

Downtown Bothell, 1915. Courtesy UW Special Collections (UW12021)

The Bothells’ legacy of community and hospitality continues to define the spirit of Bothell right now. Their commitment to fostering a welcoming environment laid the foundation for the city’s enduring sense of togetherness. This spirit is evident in Bothell’s community events, local businesses, and the warm interactions among its residents. It seems even back in 1890s, home was always just a short drive outside of Seattle.

In 2025, Bothell stands as a vibrant community that seamlessly blends its rich history with modern advancements. The University of Washington Bothell has become a cornerstone of the city, offering over 55 undergraduate and graduate degree programs and emphasizing experiential learning, hands-on research, and community engagement. The campus is also home to a 58-acre wetland restoration project, serving as a living laboratory for students and faculty. Additionally, the city has nurtured a growing tech industry, with several office parks developed in the North Creek area since the 1980s, transforming Bothell into a hub for high-tech employment. Notably, a failed plan to build a regional shopping mall in the 1970s led to the development of business parks, including the area where David Morgan’s establishment resides today.

UW Bothell, today. Courtesy of UW Bothell.

Reflecting on David Bothell’s contributions, we are reminded of David Morgan, whose dedication to craftsmanship and community similarly left a lasting impact. Both men exemplified the values of hard work, hospitality, and a deep commitment to their communities. Their legacies inspire us to uphold these principles, ensuring that the sense of family and community remains at the heart of Bothell’s identity.

Sticking To Our Roots

December 6, 2024

A lot has changed over the years, but at David Morgan, we’ve always worked to keep things steady.

We’ve been importing kangaroo and crocodile skins with the Fish and Wildlife Service for quite a long time now. While the quality of our products remains as strong as ever, the paperwork has certainly changed. Take a look at the difference between our current Fish and Wildlife permit and the one from the early 90’s. Maybe we’re a little “old school” but we prefer the look of the older one.

Like No Other: Crocodile Leather

Our Crocodile Hat Bands and Leather products are a point of pride. It’s rare to find another company in the U.S. offering the kinds of authentic crocodile leather items we do. The Hornback Crocodile Belt and the Crocodile Hat Band with Teeth showcase the exceptional texture and durability of this hide. The Hat Band with Teeth is a standout accessory on any hat, especially on the Snowy River. It’s rugged, sharp, and undeniably unique.

Feel Everything: Kangaroo Leather

Our classic Bullwhips, crafted from kangaroo leather, remain a cornerstone of our business. Owners value the unparalleled quality and the care that goes into every hand-made whip. Beyond bullwhips, kangaroo leather continues to shine in other products, emphasizing its incredible lightweight strength.

Geier’s Kangaroo Leather Driving Glove is a perfect example. These gloves protect your hands from wear and tear while maintaining exceptional touch sensitivity. They’re durable, reliable, and built to last—traits we know our customers appreciate.

Whether you’re looking for leather goods that stand the test of time or accessories with a story to tell, David Morgan has you covered. Quality never goes out of style.

Bothell’s Crow Gathering

November 15, 2024

Every evening, from autumn through winter, something remarkable happens in Bothell, Washington. Thousands of crows—anywhere from 10,000 to 16,000—take to the skies, flying from every corner of the Seattle area to gather here. They roost together for the night in a phenomenon that’s as mysterious as it is breathtaking. Watching their dark shapes flood into the sky is like stepping into a living painting.

David Morgan has called Bothell home since 1996. Moving from Seattle, the company embraced this charming city in the heart of the Pacific Northwest. Over the years, the company has become a part of the town’s identity, providing locals and visitors with products that echo the rugged beauty of the surrounding area​.

The Crow Necklace by Cavin Richie

Cavin Richie’s Crow Necklace perfectly captures the character of this remarkable bird. Known for their intelligence and adaptability, crows are often seen as symbols of mystery and resourcefulness. This handcrafted pendant is a tribute to the beauty of these birds, blending natural inspiration with timeless design.

Moon Dancing Matted Print by Marvin Oliver

While crows and ravens are distinct, they share a familial bond as part of the Corvidae family. Marvin Oliver’s Moon Dancing matted print celebrates the cultural significance of these birds in Indigenous art. The piece combines the celestial with the earthly, highlighting the raven’s role as a bringer of light and a symbol of transformation.

Raven Feather Earrings by Cavin Richie

Cavin Richie’s Raven Feather Earrings offer a graceful homage to these iconic birds. Crafted with attention to detail, the earrings reflect the raven’s sleek beauty and cultural importance. Though separate species, crows and ravens both embody the intelligence and mystique that make them enduring figures in Indigenous lore.


This autumn, as the crows fill Bothell’s skies, let their story inspire you. David Morgan’s curated collection brings the spirit of the Corvidae family into your life, combining artistry with meaning. Whether it’s a necklace, print, or earrings, each piece tells a story worth sharing.

The Vibrancy of Northwest Art

May 19, 2017

Pacific Northwest art has a long and vibrant history. Stretching back over ten thousand years, coastal tribes created artwork based on materials that they found locally and could trade with other tribes, such as copper and shells. When Europeans moved into the area, the artwork utilized products traded from the Europeans, including iron.

At David Morgan, our traditional jewelry has been made from patterns over a hundred years old. These traditional patterns were designed by Tlingit tribes. In the early 1900’s, Mayer Brothers, a jewelry manufacturer in Seattle, produced silver bracelets to sell to the Indians along the Pacific Northwest coast. These trade bracelets became favored items to be given away at potlatches. Production has continued to this day under a succession of manufacturing companies here in the Northwest.

Lovebirds Trade Bracelet, sterling silver. Designed by Bill Wilson, made in USA.

Pacific Northwest art continues to be vibrant and innovative today. Odin Lonning, a Tlingit from Juneau, is an award-winning artist who has designed several of our jewelry pieces, including the ever-popular Raven and the Box of Daylight.

Corrine Hunt has made a tremendous impact in the art world. She is also a Tlingit/Komoyue and a member of the Raven Gwa’wina clan. She designed the medals for the 2010 Winter Olympics. We are proud to sell items from her Spirit of the Wild collection.

Corrine Hunt Deerskin Wristlet. Spirit of the Wild Collection.

We are pleased to offer a range of trade bracelets and matching rings designed by Bill Wilson, a Tlingit raised in Hoonah, Alaska. The bracelets are struck from the original dies made in the early 1900’s for trade with the Indians of the Pacific Northwest. Typical of the early patterns, the bracelets are relatively narrow, with the design on the terminals. The bracelets and rings are available in sterling silver.

Christian White carved the argillite chess pieces of which we sell the Boma reproductions. He is a Haida from the island of Haida Gwaii, British Columbia.

Please enjoy this article about Christian White from the New York Times.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/30/world/canada/totem-poles-haida-nation-british-columbia.html?_r=0

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Pacific Northwest Art

 

David Morgan Through the Years

September 18, 2015

With David’s passing, it has given us pause to look back at our company throughout the years. David Morgan began as Austral Enterprises in 1962. Many items that found their way into the catalog began as unique items that David and Dorothy found in Wales. (David spent much time there over the years and could speak Welsh. He was a staunch advocate for Welsh independence.)

The photos below were taken from a catalog in 1980. The models are usually family and friends. Enjoy this blast from the past.

 

fishermans-smock-1980

Welsh Fisherman’s Smock

 

hickory-shirt-1980

Hickory Shirt (not the same maker of our current Hickory Shirt)

 

sheepskin-1980

Medical Sheepskin

 

slouch-1980

The Slouch (we still carry the Slouch, and nothing has changed on this Classic.)

 

wear-and-care-1980

And nothing has changed on caring for your Akubra!

 

 

David William Morgan 1925-2015

July 13, 2015

david3

David Morgan of Woodinville, WA died July 8, 2015. Born May 21, 1925 in Vancouver, Canada, David is survived by his wife of 62 years, Dorothy, their four children (Olwen (Robert Ruggeri); Barbara (Chip Zukoski); Meredith (Ed Orton) and Will), six grandchildren and one great grandchild.

David was a metallurgist by training and an entrepreneur by nature. He and Dorothy founded Austral Enterprises in 1962, which continues to this day as David Morgan, LLC.

David was kind, helpful, gregarious, generous, and an excellent problem-solver. He will be missed. The family wishes to express gratitude to Lawrence and Michelle’s Adult Family Home for the loving care they provided.

Services will be private. In lieu of flowers or contributions please do something kind or helpful in David’s name.

David W Morgan, co-founder of David Morgan LLC, died on July 8, 2015 at 90 years of age.

David was born and raised in Vancouver, British Columbia. After receiving BSc and MASc degrees from the University of British Columbia, he moved to Ottawa to work for the Canadian Bureau of Mines. After two years there, David was awarded a bursary by the British Iron and Steel Research Association (BISRA) to study at Imperial College, London, from which he received a PhD in Physical Chemistry in 1952. While in London, he met his future wife, Dorothy Erickson. Dorothy, born and raised in Sydney, Australia, had come to London to work (and see the world) after World War II. David and Dorothy moved first to Canada then the United States, with employment at the Bureau of Mines, Kaiser Aluminum and the University of Washington, with stops in Ottawa, Spokane, Tacoma, New Orleans, Palo Alto and Seattle.

Interests and hobbies changed over the years, but David always followed them with passion. While in Louisiana, David noticed a turtle crossing the road. A few days later he noticed another turtle, and that it was different from the first. His curiosity was piqued, eventually resulting in a collection of 60 turtles and tortoises, a caiman, an alligator and a crocodile, all well cared for in the family basement. A trip to Australia led to the transfer of David’s reptiles to the Vancouver Aquarium. David was then instrumental in arranging the aquarium’s first acquisition of an Australian Lung Fish.

During the family trip to Australia in 1962, David discovered a whip making enterprise still operating as it had been during Victorian times. An engineer by training and vocation, and with a long interest in craftwork, he carried this interest back to the US. He and Dorothy imported a few whips for sale under the company name of Austral Enterprises. Our company name was changed to David Morgan in 1978, and to David Morgan LLC in 2014 when Will and Barbara Morgan formally acquired an interest.

Operated initially as a hobby while David pursued a career as a consulting metallurgist, we added Akubra hats, Australia’s top selling fur-felt hats, in 1965. A classic small family business, David and Dorothy operated out of the home. In the early days, hobby, business and family often intersected – ringside seats at the circus, provided by the lion and elephant trainers who purchased our whips and camping trips through Eastern Washington, stopping at saddleries and tack stores en route.

As David and Dorothy’s young family grew, each child contributed, first lacing dog boot sets (at $.02 per set!) and later braiding. It was all hands on deck during the years we sold the Akubra Slouch Hat to Eddie Bauer (who called it the “Digger Hat”),  unpacking the boxes shipped by sea from Australia, brushing each hat, adding the puggaree and chin strap before shipping out.After too many customers had beaten a pathway to their home at inconvenient times, David and Dorothy opened their first warehouse and store, moving from a hobby to the full-fledged business it is today. For many years the business was located in Ballard, moving to our current location in Bothell in the 1980’s where we were one of the first occupants in the then-new business park.

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david_5108_390

David’s interest in leather, leatherwork and craftsmanship predates Austral Entreprises. While living in Ottawa, he tanned a deerskin, then fashioned his own jacket which he proudly wore with an Assumption sash he wove, shown above with a fire broom he crafted. When his eldest child Olwen arrived, David built a cradleboard similar to those used by many Native American tribes. David, Dorothy and Olwen went bathless for a week, as the headboard wood soaked in the tub so that it could be bent to the correct shape. David’s understanding of many crafts was deep. Before the time of Google, David was the go to source for answers about any number of craft related topics — Slate production in Wales, thatched roofs in England, ivory and jade carving, basket weaving and hat manufacturing to name just a few. David was a skilled carpenter, making beds, bureaus and bookshelves for his home, as well as custom computer desks for work which we are still using 30 years later.

Photography is one example of how David’s interests and skills intersected. As a consulting metallurgist, he needed to document various cracks, flaws and breaks in metallic objects in such a way that non-experts could understand. After the studio he used closed, he found it very difficult to communicate to other studios in Seattle exactly what needed to be shown in each print. He met this challenge by teaching himself how to develop and print his own photos. These skills were carried over to our business, where David for many years took almost all the photos. The switch to digital photography in later years freed up the women’s bathroom which had served double duty as David’s dark room. Although the family and friends used as models were most definitely not professional models, David’s attention to the salient details ensured our customers knew what they were buying. Almost all our photos are still produced in house, with first Mike Saltarelli then Will Morgan taking over from David.

Growth of the business has always reflected David’s interests. David’s mother could trace her ancestry back to 1066 when Hartlepool, England was founded. David’s father’s family had emigrated to Hartlepool from South Wales and David identified strongly with his Welsh ancestry. While in London working on his doctorate, David took Welsh lessons every Monday night. He enjoyed visiting Wales in later years, continued teaching himself Welsh and supporting the Welsh independence movement. He was an active member of the Puget Sound Welsh Association for many years. Starting in the early 1970’s, when Scottish and Irish goods were readily available in the US, David Morgan was the first to offer a selection of Welsh goods including books,  music (vinyl records, then cassette tapes, then CDs),  Celtic jewelry and Welsh woolens. An example of the crossroads between David’s practical outlook and engineering training and the company is the joy he took in offering items such as the Welsh Steelworker’s Vest, a shirt with large holes under the arms. To quote from David’s description of this vest in the 1976 catalog:

“A special vest, or undershirt, is made of 100% wool flannel for the Welsh steelworkers. This vest was developed from the traditional flannel vest to meet the rigorous needs of the steelworker facing the blazing heat of the furnace, with cold wind on his back, alternately sweating in the heat and chilled by the cold. The sleeves are loose for comfort. The back tail is longer than the front, to help it stay in place during hard work. Sleeve and body seams are kept unjoined for 2-1/2 inches at the armpit. The resulting large open gusset provides unusual ventilation, reduced bulk, and freedom from stress.”

As the business grew, so did David’s interest in braiding and leatherwork. During the 1960’s, he made several visits to Australia where he learned the leather and braiding trade from some of Australia’s top whipmakers. Along with the details of whipmaking they taught him the history behind whips and their uses. By the early 1970s the business had expanded to include braiding supplies and braided goods manufactured in David Morgan’s own leather workshop.

In 1973, the US placed an embargo on kangaroo skins and products, effectively stopping the supply of Australian whips and braided goods to the US. David decided to keep the trade going by crafting whips from domestic calf skin (kip). He produced an American style bull whip using an Australian braided belly construction. This whip style, the 450 Series, proved popular among stuntmen and performers and was used in the Indiana Jones movies. Once the embargo on kangaroo products was lifted in 1981, David switched to crafting these whips from the stronger kangaroo leather and the company renewed the importation of Australian leather goods. David shared his knowledge through his three books:  Whips and Whipmaking, Braiding Fine Leather and Whips of the West.

The Indiana Jones movies were the catalyst for revitalizing an interest in whips. David’s No 455 10 ft Bullwhip  became an icon when it was so skillfully woven into the story by Glenn Randall Jr, the stunt director for the first movie. It became a recognized part of the Indiana Jones character, and an ongoing factor in maintaining the suspense of the story. Whip shows, the sport of whip cracking and an interest in whips and leather braiding made a comeback, in large part due to David’s work – his braiding, his books and his willingness to personally  teach and guide many others who have gone on to pursue braiding and leatherwork.

We supplied over 30 whips to the studio for the four Indiana Jones movies. The resulting publicity brought in more orders than we could easily handle. Even when we had a two to three year backlog of orders, David was adamant that we not increase the price unduly as he wanted those customers who appreciated the craftsmanship to enjoy the whips, not just the rich. Instead, he focused on continuing to produce quality whips and training the next generation of braiders. We are still producing these whips to David’s specifications and quality, with long time employee Meagan, grandson Alex and son Will all contributing to the effort.

David and Dorothy were always quick to adopt new technology that could help the business. The customer mailing list was computerized early on when personal computers first became available, using  a CP/M operating system and 8” floppy disks. Our company was one of the first to offer online shopping in 1993. We have had a robust website ever since, with just a few exceptions. When the History Channel aired an “Extreme Marksman” segment about David and his whipmaking, our site was overwhelmed with the ensuing response!

David did not always follow his own advice. “Time is money” he would say, instructing us in how to braid efficiently. That advice fell by the wayside many times when he was helping store customers or answering the phone. It did not matter whether the customer bought nothing or a lot, David was willing to talk, discussing in depth the products we sell, the advantages of wearing hats to prevent skin cancer, or Welsh politics. He was generous with his time with customers interested in braiding and his whips, quite willing to demonstrate how to crack a whip inside our store (sometimes to the astonishment of other customers), or taking them back to his braiding hook for a lesson. The important factor was, to quote David again, “Our customers are nice people.”

In the last few years of his life, David was challenged first by Alzheimer’s disease and later by a stroke. Through determination and hard work, David regained enough strength after his stroke to enjoy walks through the neighborhood. With the gradually increasing challenges from Alzheimer’s, he was hard pressed to remember what he ate for breakfast, but still did contribute to our business with historical information and logical analysis on his good days, right up to the last week of his life. An example of the help he provided recently is a discussion of whether or not to drop a brand we had carried successfully for years. The pricing and availability considerations had changed, and although we had a loyal customer base, and could have kept on with the products, we knew our customers could obtain the same products more cheaply, and just as easily, elsewhere. David did not hesitate, just said we needed to drop the line as we couldn’t provide good value to our customers.

As a husband, father, mentor, colleague, entrepreneur, teacher and friend, David will be missed. We celebrate his life and his contributions to our family, our business and the many other lives that he touched.

Dorothy Morgan

Olwen, Barbara, Meredith and Will Morgan

The Wildlife of David Morgan

June 20, 2014

We are fortunate here at David Morgan to be located near a small river called, “North Creek.” For many years the Army Corps of Engineers and the local municipal governments and businesses have worked to improve the quality of the watershed. Not only has the salmon population returned, but many other species have taken up residence along the creek and the adjoining ponds. Below are just a few species.

If you ever drop by our store, take a few minutes to take a walk on the paths along the North Creek!

 

Hooded Merganser

Hooded Merganser

 

Beaver

Beaver

 

Bald Eagle

Bald Eagle

 

Painted Turtle

Painted Turtle

 

Relics of a Lost Art: The Conformitor

July 22, 2011

In the days when hat stores were as common as coffee shops today, most hatters reserved a part of the store for renovating and shaping hats. While ninety percent of customers could walk out the door with a pre-blocked hat, the remainder needed extra shaping. Heads can range from slightly wide or long to potato-shaped.

 

The shape of the hat does not come from the crown. It is actually the brim that holds the shape. For example, when we steam a hat into a long oval, we smooth out the ripple that forms from deforming the shape of the brim.

 

The device used to modify a hat is called a conformitor. It is made up of two parts: the conformitor and the formillion. The conformitor sits atop the head, one quarter inch deeper than where the hat would sit. This pushes the keys out in accordance with the variations of the head, which moves the pins at the top.

 

A piece of paper called the conform is placed at the top and pushed onto the pins. Think of the paper as a negative. When removed, it is cut just barely outside the perforated ring. Then the formillion sits atop the paper conform. Each key is loosened and pushed inward till it just touches the edge of the paper. When all the keys are in place, the thumbscrews are tightened.

 

The formillion is placed inside of the hat after the brim has been warmed. Warming the felt softens the felt and makes it pliable.

 

Once inside, a device called a tolliker is used to push at the upper side of the brim. This smoothes out the brim, which then holds the crown shape.

 

 

conformitor atop the head

The conformitor atop Will Morgan’s head.

 

 

slipping paper onto conformitor

Slipping the paper into place. The cork frame then is pressed down to get the conform. 

 

conformitor with paper

Close-up of the conformitor with paper. The impression is called the conform.

 

 

paper 'negative'

Paper conform trimmed around the perforation made by the conformitor’s pins

 

 

formillion aligned with paper

Formillion keys aligned with the conform. 

 

conformitor and formillion

Formillion and conformitor

 

 

oddly shaped heads

Conforms of various head shapes, taken from the book, “Scientific Hat Finishing and Renovating” by Henry L. Ermatinger, 1919. Many head shapes are uneven.

 

 

A Visit from Cowboy Craftsmen

June 3, 2011

We were recently honored by the visit of two highly distinguished cowboy arts craftsmen.

 

Alfredo Campos, from Federal Way Washington, is one of the world’s foremost horsehair hitchers. In 1999 he was honored with a National Heritage Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts. David and Alfredo have known and encouraged each other for a very long time. Alfredo provided a quirt or two for our old Ballard store.

 

A couple of weeks ago Alfredo brought his Argentinian friend, Pablo Lozano to our new location in Bothell. He was accompanied by translator and Floridian cowboy Domingo Hernandez.

 

Pablo learned much of his craft from Luis Alberto Flores of Buenes Aires whom David had corresponded with from 1966 until recently. Luis Flores had hosted Bruce Grant in Argentina and taught him techniques which appear in the Encyclopedia of Leather and Rawhide Braiding. Pablo showed us a braid (using kangaroo leather!) that Bruce Grant had not documented in his book.

 

Pablo is a member of the Traditional Cowboy Arts Association.

 

We had an excellent time exchanging braiding tips and looking at the gaucho’s amazing work.

 

You can get some idea in the photographs below the patience and skill invested in creating these beautiful pieces.

 

Below, Alfredo’s hitched horsehair work:

 

Alfredo hitched horsehair belt

 Alfredo hitched horsehair belt

Alfredo hitched horsehair belt

Hitched horsehair belt (three sections of the belt)

 Alfredo hitched horsehair hat band

Hitched horsehair hat band

 Alfredo hitched horsehair quirt

Alfredo hitched horsehair quirt

Hitched horsehair quirt

 

Domingo and David

Domingo and David

 

Domingo, Pablo, David and Alfredo

Domingo, Pablo, David and Alfredo

 

Meagan, David and Pablo

Meagan, David and Pablo

 

Below, Pablo’s rawhide work. The colors are obtained from coffee or walnut shells.

Hatband, eyeglass holder and lanyard

 

Hatband, eyeglass holder and lanyard

Scabbard 

 

Knife handle wrap and scabbard

Reins with quirt end

 

Reins with quirt end

 

 

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Braiding Leather

Kangaroo Lace

A Well Kept Whip

November 13, 2009

This ten foot bullwhip arrived for a fall replacement.  The owner tells us that it was purchased in 1984 and put through heavy use.  What a pleasure to see it in such excellent condition.  Notice the darkness of the leather.  This comes from both exposure to sunshine and the vigilant use of leather conditioner.

 

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Bullwhips

Pecard Leather Dressing