Vintage 60s Pendleton High Grade Western Wear Shadow Plaid Ranch Coat

Another piece that was tough to give up. My coat collection has gotten out of hand.

This is the Pendleton High Grade Western Wear Rancher Coat in blue shadow plaid with a shearling collar.  Judging by the lack of a wool mark on the label (Pendleton added that in the early 70s, then removed it again in the 90s), I would guess this jacket to be made in the mid-late 1960s.

Vintage 60s Pendleton Blue Shadow Plaid Ranch Coat

Vintage 60s Pendleton Blue Shadow Plaid Ranch Coat (back)

Vintage 60s Pendleton Blue Shadow Plaid Ranch Coat (collar and plaid detail)

Vintage 60s Pendleton Blue Shadow Plaid Ranch Coat (looped collar)

Vintage 60s Pendleton Blue Shadow Plaid Ranch Coat (lining)

Vintage 60s Pendleton Blue Shadow Plaid Ranch Coat (label)

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.

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)

WW2 US Navy M445a Shearling Flight Jacket

Since I started a winter theme with the last posting, I thought I'd publish some photos of the most wintery of winter jackets ever made.

This M445-A Jacket was very early or pre-WW2. The Navy made some changes after this model was issued, and the army changed it again to make the more common  B-3 jacket.

WW2 US Navy M445a Shearling Flight Jacket

WW2 US Navy M445a Shearling Flight Jacket (back)

WW2 US Navy M445a Shearling Flight Jacket (Early Talon Zipper)

WW2 US Navy M445a Shearling Flight Jacket (collar)

WW2 US Navy M445a Shearling Flight Jacket (nomenclature 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

1930s Denim Hunting / Work Vest

1930s Vintage Denim Hunting Vest

Yet another treasure fished out of the Goodwill bins.

This 1930s hunting vest had seen quite a bit of action in it's lifetime.  It had plenty of paint and blood stains, and was missing a button off of the front pocket.

We were happy that this was sold to a world renowned vintage collector/publisher/clothing maker.  It will become a museum piece that will be cherished for many decades to come.  This vest was about 30 minutes away from being shredded to rags until we dug it out.

Final auction price: $276.00

1930s Denim Hunting Vest Back Side

 

1930s Denim Hunting Vest Game Pouch

1930s Denim Hunting Vest Interior