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

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)

Vintage Champion Products Inc. Hooded Sweatshirt

Vintage Champion Products Inc. Hooded Sweatshirt made for the OSU Rowing Crew

 Available for auction here until 5/6/2012.

We found this vintage sweatshirt that was stenciled for the OSU Rowing crew and couldn't believe how awesome the condition was. To be honest, it has been quite tricky to date because the white talon zipper appears to be from a different era than the sweatshirt itself.  After pondering and examining it for a bit, it appeared that the zipper was installed at a later date.

This sweatshirt is 100% nylon fleece.  The ribbing is in immaculate condition and still very elastic.  If it wasn't an adult extra small, it might have stayed around here for awhile.

Vintage Champion Products Inc Hooded Sweatshirt Back

Oregon State Crew

OSU Rowing Crew Logo on the breast

Champion Products Inc Label