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Post Pics of Your Cafe Racer Jackets

Crayfish

New in Town
Messages
35
here is my collection of vintage brooks gold label cafe racer leather jackets. Either the sizes are not very consistent or the jackets stretch/shrink over time. The top left black jacket does not have a size label, but does have a quilted lining ... it was noted this lining is original and perhaps an older version. The size pit to pit is 23 1/2 inched ... probably a size 44 jacket. The top right brown jacket (I just picked up today) is sized 40 on the label but measures 22 inches pit to pit. Notice these two labels have the letter “D” in Detroit under the letter “P” of the word Sportswear and the brooks leather logo is not filled in. The bottom jacket, with the hand painted - the Great China Wall company - is sized 42 but measures the smallest at 21 3/4 inches. Notice the difference in this label. The letter “D” in Detroit starts much further left than the other two and the Brooks leather logo is filled in. I Don’t know if this is a newer version of the jacket.
 

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Gamma68

One Too Many
Messages
1,936
Location
Detroit, MI
Thanks, guys, for the nice feedback on the Lesco. After seeing the results of putting some Pecards on the collar, I decided to do the whole jacket. It's really brought the color back and softened up the leather a bit. I think it's a very well-made jacket.
 

Gamma68

One Too Many
Messages
1,936
Location
Detroit, MI
Since picking up that Lesco cafe racer posted on the previous page, I've been trying to learn more about the brand.

Today, I uncovered some information and thought I'd share with everyone.

Lesco Ltd. was in business from the 1940s to the early 1980s. It was initially based at 10 E. 34th Street, NYC.

The company began making alligator and crocodile handbags and billfolds for upscale shops like Saks 5th Ave., Bonwit Teller, and others.

In 1961, the company merged with Lona company and became known as Lesco Lona, Inc. It moved to 136 Madison Ave., NYC.

I don't know when the company began offering leather jackets, but the first newspaper reference I see is from 1977. I see no reference to the company after June 1982.

Here is a Lesco ad from 1947. Note the script logo:

93ea96_2ed4d64cd5214ac8b8afe45793baee09.webp


Here is a 1961 ad announcing the Lesco merger with Lona. Check the script logo:

LLpg2June61HampA.jpg


These Lesco logos are a close match for the one in the zip-out lining of my cafe racer (circa 1960s-70s):

Lesco_4.JPG
 

ksozay

One Too Many
Messages
1,071
Location
Seattle
Since picking up that Lesco cafe racer posted on the previous page, I've been trying to learn more about the brand.

Today, I uncovered some information and thought I'd share with everyone.

Lesco Ltd. was in business from the 1940s to the early 1980s. It was initially based at 10 E. 34th Street, NYC.

The company began making alligator and crocodile handbags and billfolds for upscale shops like Saks 5th Ave., Bonwit Teller, and others.

In 1961, the company merged with Lona company and became known as Lesco Lona, Inc. It moved to 136 Madison Ave., NYC.

I don't know when the company began offering leather jackets, but the first newspaper reference I see is from 1977. I see no reference to the company after June 1982.

Here is a Lesco ad from 1947. Note the script logo:

93ea96_2ed4d64cd5214ac8b8afe45793baee09.webp


Here is a 1961 ad announcing the Lesco merger with Lona. Check the script logo:

LLpg2June61HampA.jpg


These Lesco logos are a close match for the one in the zip-out lining of my cafe racer (circa 1960s-70s):

Lesco_4.JPG

I've got a pretty epic Lesco Perfecto in amazing condition with original belt and detachable fur collar if you want a matching set?
 

tmitchell59

I'll Lock Up
Messages
7,748
Location
Illinois
Since picking up that Lesco cafe racer posted on the previous page, I've been trying to learn more about the brand.

Today, I uncovered some information and thought I'd share with everyone.

Lesco Ltd. was in business from the 1940s to the early 1980s. It was initially based at 10 E. 34th Street, NYC.

The company began making alligator and crocodile handbags and billfolds for upscale shops like Saks 5th Ave., Bonwit Teller, and others.

In 1961, the company merged with Lona company and became known as Lesco Lona, Inc. It moved to 136 Madison Ave., NYC.

I don't know when the company began offering leather jackets, but the first newspaper reference I see is from 1977. I see no reference to the company after June 1982.

Here is a Lesco ad from 1947. Note the script logo:

93ea96_2ed4d64cd5214ac8b8afe45793baee09.webp


Here is a 1961 ad announcing the Lesco merger with Lona. Check the script logo:

LLpg2June61HampA.jpg


These Lesco logos are a close match for the one in the zip-out lining of my cafe racer (circa 1960s-70s):

Lesco_4.JPG
Thanks for the interesting information. I see a lot of their jackets on eBay. They appear to have produce a lot of different styles. I would think their jacket production would go back to the 60s.

Sent from my SM-S903VL using Tapatalk
 

Fonzie

One Too Many
Messages
1,574
Location
Australia
f364b62ea78d4bc2eccf0cc0fc699532.jpg


Just trying a couple of jackets today as it’s the first day of the year I actually need a one, so I thought I’d post in this thread and the WJRUW one.
I’ve had this 60’s Kehoe for a couple of years now, what a nice jacket to wear.
Most comfortable leather jacket I own, it’s steerhide, tough but quite light and extremely supple, probably too because it is a 50-year-old jacket nevertheless.
I’m the second owner of this beauty, my now two year old son will be the third owner when the time comes.
 

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