1956 “Blatt” leather jacket heirloom story

[Gavin LaMay]

So Christmas Eve a couple of years ago I was looking for something in my grandfathers attic and stumbled across an ironing board stiff jacket on a hanger in the way back. Looked to be 50s so of course I was in love. I brought it down stairs and asked him about it. He said he was in the army and stationed in Colorado in 1956 when he bought the jacket. The back of the jacket reads “Johnny” as his name is John. He is going on 82 years old now and still works 45ish hours a week at his job he loves. So anyway my grandfather was about as much of a greaser as you could get. He actually was in a hot rod club and I still have the club card from 1959. He always some sort of car he messed around with such as a 1941 Plymouth or his 1957 ford fairlane. His father owned shell and Texaco service stations so he got leads on some nice cars. So he was a very small guy in the military because I weigh 155 and wear a 38 and I cannot put this jacket on after being repaired and conditioned. He was about 120 pounds in the army at around 5’7”. The jacket is horsehide and seems to be of very good quality. It’s not perfect but will look nice in a shadow box. Anyway he said “merry Christmas” and have it to me cuz he knew I was already in love with it. If anyone has information. On blatt and their jackets please let me know. I’ll include some 50s pictures of my grandfather and some pictures of the jacket. Hope the story was a good one. Keep collecting!

 

[Gavin LaMay]

View attachment 214478 View attachment 214477 View attachment 214475 View attachment 214479 View attachment 214481 View attachment 214480 So Christmas Eve a couple of years ago I was looking for something in my grandfathers attic and stumbled across an ironing board stiff jacket on a hanger in the way back. Looked to be 50s so of course I was in love. I brought it down stairs and asked him about it. He said he was in the army and stationed in Colorado in 1956 when he bought the jacket. The back of the jacket reads “Johnny” as his name is John. He is going on 82 years old now and still works 45ish hours a week at his job he loves. So anyway my grandfather was about as much of a greaser as you could get. He actually was in a hot rod club and I still have the club card from 1959. He always some sort of car he messed around with such as a 1941 Plymouth or his 1957 ford fairlane. His father owned shell and Texaco service stations so he got leads on some nice cars. So he was a very small guy in the military because I weigh 155 and wear a 38 and I cannot put this jacket on after being repaired and conditioned. He was about 120 pounds in the army at around 5’7”. The jacket is horsehide and seems to be of very good quality. It’s not perfect but will look nice in a shadow box. Anyway he said “merry Christmas” and have it to me cuz he knew I was already in love with it. If anyone has information. On blatt and their jackets please let me know. I’ll include some 50s pictures of my grandfather and some pictures of the jacket. Hope the story was a good one. Keep collecting!

My grandfather is on the right of each picture

 

[regius]

perfect timing, fantastic story first of all, always good to hear such stories. My question is, where did your father purchase this jacket? what type of store? was it a custom order? off the rack? did the store sell other brands? was it a "Blatt" store? I'm dying to know.

 

[Gavin LaMay]

perfect timing, fantastic story first of all, always good to hear such stories. My question is, where did your father purchase this jacket? what type of store? was it a custom order? off the rack? did the store sell other brands? was it a "Blatt" store? I'm dying to know.

You see I was dying to know that too haha. But I asked him that and he couldn’t remember where he bought it but I don’t think it was custom made per say. I know the “Johnny” was painted by a girlfriend he had at the time and her name is actually in the watch pocket painted lol

 

[ton312]

Very cool story and jacket. Blatt was a Chicago based company I believe. I've seen a few of their jackets bearing this label:

 

[Gavin LaMay]

Very cool story and jacket. Blatt was a Chicago based company I believe. I've seen a few of their jackets bearing this label:

Wow well that’s nice to know that they were at least based in Chicago. I wonder if they made only leather wear originally because the label in mine looks a little older and reads “ quality leather wear” compared to your label that reads “quality outerwear”

 

[regius]

I too still have a brown horsehide Blatt flight jacket with golden mouton, with a brown, smaller, Blatt label of a standing horse

 

[Gavin LaMay]

I too still have a brown horsehide Blatt flight jacket with golden mouton, with a brown, smaller, Blatt label of a standing horse

Any photos??

 

[lina]

It's really fun to come across old pics of our grandparents when they were young, and to be reminded that they had young lives too, and often were much cooler than we ever were! That's the case with my grandfather, who I only learned after his death what a real hellraiser he was in his day... Anyway, great pics.

 

[Benny Holiday]

Now this thread is cool. What a great treasure to have. My Mum was of that generation, born November 1938. If you ever want to understand the culture of the 1950s, the way people who were young at the time really felt, all you have to do is spend time talking with them and listening. If I could give you one small bit of advice Gavin, do just that with your Grandfather. Forget the characters they portray in movies like American Graffiti. Cool though those movies are, your Grandfather is the real deal. Cherish him.

 

[Gavin LaMay]

Now this thread is cool. What a great treasure to have. My Mum was of that generation, born November 1938. If you ever want to understand the culture of the 1950s, the way people who were young at the time really felt, all you have to do is spend time talking with them and listening. If I could give you one small bit of advice Gavin, do just that with your Grandfather. Forget the characters they portray in movies like American Graffiti. Cool though those movies are, your Grandfather is the real deal. Cherish him.

He’s probably the most fun to talk to

 

[Tombone]

Great thread, really good to see. Here are a few photos of a Blatt motorcycle jacket that I was lucky enough to purchase recently. Great condition and really well made.

 

[tmitchell59]

Great story, seems I missed this first time around. I have not owned a Blatt. Here is one I just saw on ebay. Great label!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/313562804974?hash=item4901ccb2ee:g:6OAAAOSwh6Bgule3

 

[jonbuilder]

Great thread, really good to see. Here are a few photos of a Blatt motorcycle jacket that I was lucky enough to purchase recently. Great condition and really well made. View attachment 341868 View attachment 341869 View attachment 341870 View attachment 341871 View attachment 341872 View attachment 341873

@ Tombone I think I have the twin of your jacket except the sleeve zips on my jacket are bass. I thought the sleeve zip might be replacements. The sleeve zip pulls seem flimsy compared to the rest of the jacket and zips. Also, I am thinking maybe the sleeve zip pulls are replacements and the cloth and teeth are original.

No, I did not find my Blatt in my grandfather's attic, I found it on eBay, thanks to jmax who posted it in the deals and finds thread. My jacket shows very little wear and the front quarter horsehide is top shelf as is the jacket construction

 

[handymike]

Love the Blatts!
It’s interesting how close this jacket is to the Grais version.


Apart from them both being in Chicago, I wonder what the story is behind the 2 makers and this design (with the awesome collar).