Opinions on course of action.

[Baron Kurtz]

I posted this over at VLJ, and would like opinions from over here too.

I will preface this thread with the statement that i'm almost decided to do nothing. Anyway …

I picked up a very early 1930s named and dated (in pen on inside, probably by owner) American suede jacket for a laughable price on Saturday. It is too big for me, so will be sold (no collector, I). The jacket has an early grommet Talon zipper with the deco puller so often seen 'round these parts. It is the pin-lock type. There are two front pockets, flapped, saddlebag type. The jacket is lined in a heavy tweed wool - brown with darker brown check. It was sold by R. H. Macy & Co, and bears their very simple white cursive script on black background rectangular label at the neck region of the liner.

But there are two issues with the jacket:

1) It used to have waist adjuster straps/buckles, which are long since gone, but the stitch holes remain.

2) It seems to have had adjuster straps at the wrists also (though i'm not so certain about this. The only evidence is 4 unstitched seams where the straps would have attached at the cuff).

The jacket kinda looks like this one, but with a zipper:

There are, of course, various courses of action. Most simple is to just leave the jacket as is for the buyer to deal with. Next is to try to replace the missing parts, either with a contrasting leather or trying to match the leather. I'm quite handy with the needle, and have fixed up jackets of similar vintage before. I imagine that the missing features - particularly the waist buckles, as the wrist seams can simply be stitched closed and no-one would know there were ever straps there i the first place - have reduced the inherent value of the jacket and replacing them would presumably do so even further

 

[carter]

BK, That's an interesting jacket.

If you were to keep and wear the jacket, I'd say make the repairs.

Since you intend to resell the garment, I'd leave it as is and let the buyer deal with it post-purchase.

However, you could offer to make the repairs, at the buyer's request, for a higher price if the buyer is so inclined.

 

[scotrace]

What Carter said.

My first thought is always "leave it be."

 

[rmrdaddy]

Sorry, fftopic:

But....Great Photo of Yardbird!!


:eusa_clap :eusa_clap

 

[dhermann1]

I believe in general a repair that is completely reversible should not reduce the value of something. I think this is the rule of thumb for other types of artifacts. I'm not a collector of such things, but I would think a more authentic and original looking item would be more desirable.

 

[benstephens]

Baron,

I echo the sentiments of the others. I actually really think it matters very little as long as you inform the buyer that they are missing, or in the case of you making them, that you have added them on.

Kindest Regards

Ben

 

[Imahomer]

Yep. All I require as a buyer is good photos of the item and a good description.

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Thanks for the input, folks. Keep it coming …

But....Great Photo of Yardbird!!


:eusa_clap :eusa_clap

Isn't it great? I thought of this series of photographs as soon as i saw this jacket. This jacket would fit Parker, too.

bk

 

[Feraud]

BK, That's an interesting jacket.

If you were to keep and wear the jacket, I'd say make the repairs.

Since you intend to resell the garment, I'd leave it as is and let the buyer deal with it post-purchase.

However, you could offer to make the repairs, at the buyer's request, for a higher price if the buyer is so inclined.

I echo Carter's sentiment.

If I were to purchase such a jacket I would appreciate the fact that the seller could make the necessary repairs.

 

[bobjones]

Kind of reminds of this jacket, which I have been waiting to go on sale for awhile. Last year it dropped down to $128 but I just got lazy:

http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/Men...souterwear/PRDOVR~10879/99101630648/10879.jsp

 

[mike]

Can we see pictures of the extent of the damage? I would be hesitant to do too much to an original jacket. I think it's a different mindset for a suit to a leather jacket in this way.

 

[Baron Kurtz]

There's no damage, just some non-essential parts removed. I will get pics sometime.

I'm still struggling to read the inscription on the jacket. The last name is definitely "Williamson". I've managed to read "XMAS 193(x)". Why he would have written this is beyond me, but i know people often did write such things on the inside of books etc. so why not clothes, too?

bk

 

[Feraud]

I've managed to read "XMAS 193(x)". Why he would have written this is beyond me, but i know people often did write such things on the inside of books etc. so why not clothes, too?

bk

It was probably a X-Mas gift and he wanted to mark the occasion.