Some Turn-of-the-Century Photographic Prints

We managed to save these old 10 by 12 prints from heading to the incinerator. They were snatched out of a pile of old broken toys, cheap armless sunglasses, left-over wrapping paper, discarded Tupperware, and torn boxes.  They weren't taken because of any possible value, they were taken because they were interesting.

We have a friend, Robert, who works a couple of days at the small vintage movie theater next to our favorite bar. He also happens to be a photographer, auction caller, and dealer of small antiques.  Robert specializes  in old photographs and postcards.  We took these into him to see what he had to say. He recognized most of the subjects and photographers. Some are pretty obvious.

Robert explained to us (based on the paper) that these were reprints of turn-of-the-century to 30s photographs. They were actually printed in the 1940s. He valued them at about $25 a piece. We gave them to him for a few movie passes. We always get excited when we find old photos and postcards now... It means a trip to talk to ole Robert and an encyclopedia of knowledge dealt out faster than I can think.

I wish I could give you all the specifics on these, but I'm just not that smart.

Vintage US Navy Watch Cap from the Vietnam Era

While picking through piles of old clothing, hats, handbags, and scarves, we're always happy to find vintage military wool caps. Not many of these made it through the years and wars without being destroyed or lost. 30, 40, 50 or 60 years ago, no one could probably even fathom the value that a simple stocking cap could have in the long term.

This one sold at auction for $175.50 here. Made by Rudolph Knitting Mills, it was probably issued to the sailor who wore it in 1970.

We've recently picked up another Navy watch cap that will be put to auction soon. These are always pretty exciting auctions so we can hardly wait! We'll post pics after it's up.

Vintage US Navy Watch Cap

Vintage US Navy Watch Cap

Vintage US Navy Watch Cap

Vintage US Navy Watch Cap Nomenclature Tag. The DSA number dates this cap's issue at 1970.

Vintage US Navy Watch Cap (unrolled)

Vintage 50s Recreational Equipment Incorporated (REI) Waxed Canvas Mountain Climbing Parka

To be honest, this gem of a Parka was really difficult to date. There is a ton of conflicting information out there about the REI companies labels and addresses throughout the years.  All that I known for sure is that Recreational Equipment Inc. started out in 1938 selling ice climbing axes, then became known as the REI co-op in the early 1970s focusing on high-end mountain climbing gear.

The vintage Coats & Clark zipper on this parka was produced in the mid-50s and probably into the very early 60s.  The canvas is reminiscent of the military jackets being issued during the Korean War.

This piece was sold to Heller's Cafe, publishers of the Kings of Vintage books and go-to design consultants for a few heritage clothing re-producers.  Who knows, maybe you'll see a similar piece in the J.Crew store soon.
 

Vintage 50s REI Parka with Roll-Away Hidden Hood

Vintage 50s REI Parka Back & Game Pouch

Vintage 50s REI Parka Hidden Hood

Vintage 50s REI Parka Interior

Vintage 50s REI Label

Vintage 50s REI Parka Wash Instructions

50s style Coats & Clark Zipper

Some Cowichan Sweaters: Staple of the Pacific Northwest or "What's up with the Big Lewbowski Dude Sweater?"

 What the hell is a Cowichan Sweater?

Pendleton Cowichan  "Dude" Sweater (borrowed from eBay)

A traditional Cowichan sweater would be made by the Cowichan people of the Salish Nation in British Columbia. They are a heavy sweater knit from natural sheep's wool, undyed and unprocessed so that the natural lanolins are left which helps to shed water. The original designs were derived at the turn of the century from mixing Salish weaving techniques with knitting styles brought over by British settlers. There are entire books written on the subject and I won't even try to attempt any history lessons.

That aside, manufactures, hand-knitters, and resellers (myself included)  have taken a bit of liberty using the term Cowichan to describe their products. Clothing manufacturers such as Pendleton, Filson, Ralph Lauren, Mary Maxim, and Eddie Bauer all have sweaters in their catalogs that they refer to as Cowichans. The "Dude" sweater is actually manufactured by Pendleton and fetches some pretty ridiculous prices in eBay land. Patterns have been made and sold for hand-knitters in all sorts of designs since the 1940s. Some of the 50s hand-knit sweaters are quite sought after and tend to be a little brighter with bold designs.

We often have these sweaters for sale through the vintage section of our eBay store, so be sure to take a look here and see.  Who knows, there might also be something else you're looking for.


 Here's some photo examples of some of the sweaters we've found along the way, some traditional, some handmade from patterns, and most just awesome.

Vintage 50s Cowichan style sweater

Vintage 50s Cowichan style sweater (back)

Early 50s Crown Zipper made by Coats and Clark

Vintage 50s Cowichan sweater

Vintage 50s Cowichan sweater (back)

Vintage 50s Cowichan sweater (with a rayon lining)

Vintage 70s Cowichan Sweater

Vintage 70s Cowichan Sweater (back)

Vintage Pull-over Cowichan Sweater (date unkown)

Vintage Pull-over Cowichan Sweater (back)

Vintage 50s-60s Cowichan Sweater

Vintage 50s-60s Cowichan Sweater (back)

Cowichan type sweater made from commercial pattern

Backside with awesome dogsled design.

Antler buttons on Cowichan Sweater

U. S. Army Coat, Man's, Combat, Tropical or First Pattern Slant Pocket Jungle Jacket from the Vietnam War

 We had the fortune of coming across an early 60s, Veitnam era Jungle coat recently.  These jackets are more commonly referred to as the "slant pocket jungle jacket" or something of the sort.  This one pictured was the first pattern used and considered pretty rare and collectable.  It's easily distinguishable from the more common jackets by the exposed buttons on the pocket and lack of a gas flap at the neck.

This particular jacket fetched $203.50 at auction here.

Vietnam War Coat, Man's, Combat, Tropical. First Pattern

Vietnam War Coat, Man's, Combat, Tropical. First Pattern (Back)

Vietnam War Coat, Man's, Combat, Tropical. First Pattern (inside)

Vietnam War Coat, Man's, Combat, Tropical. First Pattern (nomenclature tag)

Vietnam War Coat, Man's, Combat, Tropical. First Pattern (instruction label)

As a comparison, this more common jacket from 1969 featured ripstop fabric and as you can see, the buttons on the pocket flaps had a cover added to them to keep soldiers from getting snagged on the tropical foliage.



This jacket sold for a whopping $24.99 here.

Vietnam War Coat, Man's, Combat, Tropical. Wind Resistant Rip-Stop Poplin

Vietnam War Coat, Man's, Combat, Tropical. Wind Resistant Rip-Stop Poplin (back)

Vietnam War Coat, Man's, Combat, Tropical. Wind Resistant Rip-Stop Poplin (inside)

Vietnam War Coat, Man's, Combat, Tropical. Wind Resistant Rip-Stop Poplin (nomenclature tag)

Vietnam War Coat, Man's, Combat, Tropical. Wind Resistant Rip-Stop Poplin (instruction label)

Vintage 50s Rich-Sher Horsehide Motorcycle Jacket

We got to own this Rich-Sher motorcycle jacket for a short while. For being from the mid to early 50sthe front-quarter horsehide was amazingly smooth, supple and well preserved.  The quilted lining had many cunning repairs made to keep it functioning for 60+ years, and the original front zipper was replaced.  This jacket sold at auction for about $300.

Vintage 50s Rich-Sher Horsehide Motorcycle Jacket

Vintage 50s Rich-Sher Horsehide Motorcycle Jacket (back)

Vintage 50s Rich-Sher Horsehide Motorcycle Jacket (Buckle and Front Zipper)

Vintage 50s Rich-Sher Horsehide Motorcycle Jacket (lining)

Vintage 50s Rich-Sher Horsehide Motorcycle Jacket (label)