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Up for sale we have quite the rare find - a vintage 1940s horsehide motorcycle jacket by Star Glove & Leather Company (Cal Leather) out of Ventura, California.
Cal-Leather began making high quality leather garments in Ventura California around 1927 as "Star Glove & Leather". By the 1950s, the company began manufacturing goods as "Cal Leather", and the company continues making high quality jackets to this day.
In the 1940s, Star Glove quickly gained a reputation among riders as a highly dependable manufacturer and was commissioned by the LAPD to develop and produce the official LAPD jacket for their motorcycle force. Other law enforcement agencies throughout the country followed suit, as did the outlaws they were going after. These early Star Glove jackets are the hallmark of aviation type LAPD police jackets, and James Dean has been photographed wearing his beloved Star Glove.
Standout features of this jackets are plentiful - the heavy, thick, high quality horsehide; the large and uniquely shaped lapels, unique patterned stitching underneath the collar, the intricate and trademark stitching running adjacent to the left pocket; the gorgeous and armor-like kidney panel; the smooth all black heavy-wearing but light satin lining (with a California climate in mind); the heavy duty military grade Crown sleeve zippers; and more.
Upon putting this jacket on, one can immediately recognized why this jacket is so revered by motorcyclist and collectors of vintage mid-century American jackets. While supremely heavy-duty and heavier weight, it is truly a pleasure to wear. In fact, this jacket has been reproduced and replicated by the finest leather manufacturers of the current day, including Lost Worlds out of Queens, New York.
The jacket has tons of life left it in - no significant damage whatsoever. The lining is in overall very clean condition with no tearing on the inner body. All heavy duty canvas type pockets are intact. There is one zipper pull missing on one of the pockets, and the main zipper is a replacement (albeit a quality Serval zipper), and the main zipper has some fraying, as pictured. This should be able to be mended either as a DIY or a quick touch up by a specialist, or worn as is. There is some minor tearing of the lining at the sleeve openings. The pocket zippers are a bit stiff due to age, but should loosen up nicely with some wear.
There is no size tag, so please refer to the measurements pictured. Please allow a small degree of discrepancy due to human error. Please note that as is this a true vintage motorcycle jacket around 80 years old, minor wear and blemishes should be expected. Any significant damage would be noted.
This fantastically rare jacket will be shipped quickly upon payment -- $450 shipped in the continental U.S. via PayPal Friends & Family. Please note that I am not a professional clothier, and the opinions written above are based on significant handling and research of mid-twentieth century American motorcycle garments. If you have any questions, please reach out.
Cal-Leather began making high quality leather garments in Ventura California around 1927 as "Star Glove & Leather". By the 1950s, the company began manufacturing goods as "Cal Leather", and the company continues making high quality jackets to this day.
In the 1940s, Star Glove quickly gained a reputation among riders as a highly dependable manufacturer and was commissioned by the LAPD to develop and produce the official LAPD jacket for their motorcycle force. Other law enforcement agencies throughout the country followed suit, as did the outlaws they were going after. These early Star Glove jackets are the hallmark of aviation type LAPD police jackets, and James Dean has been photographed wearing his beloved Star Glove.
Standout features of this jackets are plentiful - the heavy, thick, high quality horsehide; the large and uniquely shaped lapels, unique patterned stitching underneath the collar, the intricate and trademark stitching running adjacent to the left pocket; the gorgeous and armor-like kidney panel; the smooth all black heavy-wearing but light satin lining (with a California climate in mind); the heavy duty military grade Crown sleeve zippers; and more.
Upon putting this jacket on, one can immediately recognized why this jacket is so revered by motorcyclist and collectors of vintage mid-century American jackets. While supremely heavy-duty and heavier weight, it is truly a pleasure to wear. In fact, this jacket has been reproduced and replicated by the finest leather manufacturers of the current day, including Lost Worlds out of Queens, New York.
The jacket has tons of life left it in - no significant damage whatsoever. The lining is in overall very clean condition with no tearing on the inner body. All heavy duty canvas type pockets are intact. There is one zipper pull missing on one of the pockets, and the main zipper is a replacement (albeit a quality Serval zipper), and the main zipper has some fraying, as pictured. This should be able to be mended either as a DIY or a quick touch up by a specialist, or worn as is. There is some minor tearing of the lining at the sleeve openings. The pocket zippers are a bit stiff due to age, but should loosen up nicely with some wear.
There is no size tag, so please refer to the measurements pictured. Please allow a small degree of discrepancy due to human error. Please note that as is this a true vintage motorcycle jacket around 80 years old, minor wear and blemishes should be expected. Any significant damage would be noted.
This fantastically rare jacket will be shipped quickly upon payment -- $450 shipped in the continental U.S. via PayPal Friends & Family. Please note that I am not a professional clothier, and the opinions written above are based on significant handling and research of mid-twentieth century American motorcycle garments. If you have any questions, please reach out.
