Vintage Green Horsehide Varsity Jacket - Opinions please?

[Warbaby]

I spotted this vintage two-tone green and yellow varsity jacket at the thrift shop today. I'm guessing it dates from the 50s - yes? I might pick it up as a restoration project. The cuffs are frayed but the leather is in good condition and will prolly be just fine after some re-shaping and a visit from Mr. Pecard.

Are jackets like this collectible/desirable/worth anything?

This is the only label:

 

[feltfan]

I think it's an exceptional jacket. If it were in my size, I'd
snap it up!

 

[tonyb]

Ditto. If you can buy it on the cheap, I'm confident there are several guys here who'd gladly take it off your hands and leave you with a few extra bucks for your trouble.

 

[Warbaby]

I went back to the thrift shop today and got the jacket. Unfortunately it's too small for me (about a 36, I think) but I decided to get it anyway because it's a pretty nifty jacket and I thought I might be able to make a couple of bucks on it to help support my thrift shop clothing addiction. Not sure yet how far I want to go with restoring it. I'll definitely give it a good saddle soaping and straighten out the curled pocket flaps, and treat it with Pecard's. Replacing the knit cuffs is a bit beyond my sewing skills, not to mention the unlikelyhood of finding similar cuffs, so I may try re-knitting the damage. Has anyone here had any success with cuff repairs like that?

Here are a few more photos of the jacket. I'm beginning to think that it may be older than the 50s - any opinions? BTW - these photos are a bit darker than the actual color which is pretty close to that shown in the first photos.

The Lining

Pocket Detail

Cuff Detail showing one of three small tears

Here are the other two tears

Buttonhole detail

 

[reetpleat]

Tag makes me think thirties forties. But certain types of clothing, such as varsity jacket makers often would keep tags when more mainstream makers were changing them.

For some reason, Canadians tended to go in for the all leather jackets rather than the wool nd leather. They used them up till the seventies I think if not longer.

This is a rel beaut. I would wear it.

I would not touch much other than cleaning and reconditioning. Things in original shape have a value that is lost when it is mucked with.

It would likely be a good one for the japanese market. Take it to a respected dealer, or put it on ebay, but be sure to ship internationally.

 

[zetwal]

Cool jacket -

I think that it's often better to leave vintage and antique wares as they are found rather than 'repairing' them. Just my opinion ...

 

[cookie]

That is a great jacet. I suspect a seamstress/knitter could remedy the sleeves as they are not beyond repair. Maybe the holes/tears could be professionally repaired. The Japanese would pair big for that jacket.

 

[Nighthawk]

Reminds me a bit of the repro olive A-1 jackets out there. Nice find!

NH

 

[himelator]

Your Jacket

Nice Jacket...Made in Toronto somewhere between 46-55. Horsehide, very nice, most likely made on Spadina. The horse came from Dominion Tanners (there were one or two companies that made this style outside toronto). Leather is sweet use beef talo treatment nothing stronger so you dont alter the colour of the leather. I used to have all the wool banding for these jackets but I cant find it anymore. Current value on ebay is about 80-125 bucks...street level in Japan is about 400...but the holes are problematic. I know people who buy these all the time including myself. Are you in the u.s. or Canada?


http://vintageleatherjackets.blogspot.com/

Himel

 

[Warbaby]

himelator - Thanks for the interesting info on the jacket. My knowledge is lacking when it comes to vintage leather jackets and I appreciate learning more about them.

I'm in Canada, but way over at the other end on Vancouver Island.