Vintage Outerwear: Threads of the Past

[tmitchell59]

I love the research that goes into the history of these jackets. Thank you:
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Perfect.

 

[ton312]

Where’s the button front Monarch?!??

 

[tmitchell59]

Where’s the button front Monarch?!??

Where is more on your new Wooly? I've been out hunting and trying to catch up, (hunting jackets). here is a shot.

 

[tmitchell59]

It is an amazing jacket and worth every penny, and there were a lot pennies.

 

[ton312]

It is an amazing jacket and worth every penny, and there were a lot pennies.

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I will oblige! I haven’t had much chance myself. It’s definitely a favorite. It’s needs Dena’s attention at the cuffs, the sleeves are too short and it needs the length, so a leather banded cuff will happen after the holidays. What intrigues me the most are the zippers. They seem incongruent with regard to age. The main zip looks to be an older Talon? The chest zip, I’ve seen on 70’s era Brooks. It does not appear to be a replacement. A small tweak and this is my favorite one yet.

 

[ZeppyDoo]

Looking for any information on this block bilt Jacket, age, potential value, type of leather used, type of leather tanning process used, if it’s possible to tell these sorts of things, and any other interesting insights you experts might have.

Also what what would be the best leather preservative, softener. I’ve used Lexol Leather cleaner and Conditioner. As well as Cobbler's Choice Leather Cream which seemed to work very well better then the Lexol but curious if there’s something that might be better out there.

 

[tmitchell59]

Looking for any information on this block bilt Jacket, age, potential value, type of leather used, type of leather tanning process used, if it’s possible to tell these sorts of things, and any other interesting insights you experts might have.

Also what what would be the best leather preservative, softener. I’ve used Lexol Leather cleaner and Conditioner. As well as Cobbler's Choice Leather Cream which seemed to work very well better then the Lexol but curious if there’s something that might be better out there.

Block was a big maker in the bay area. They produced a large variety of outerwear with many interesting designs in many leathers. This jacket is made of delicate capeskin in the new half-belt style with the adjustments just below the half-belt very similar to the Iconic Sears/Monarch Hercules posted above. The Style and grommet zipper date the jacket c.1936. Capeskin was very popular in this time, unfortunately it does not age well.

I do not know any product that will decrease or stop the flaking of the hide. It is a collectors item for display or for parts. The Talon grommet zipper is valuable, the label, hardware. The zipper is the value at this point.

The condition is like many Capeskin jackets from this era. I have two Cape jackets that have survived quite well I have one that is similar to your jacket. It too has a nice zipper.

This is a Cape Hercules. could well have been made by Block c.1940

Note the placement of the adjustments is inline with the sewn on half-belt.

Topline was just that for Sears, Their best jackets. California Sportswear Co. made jackets with the Topline label.

 

[tmitchell59]

This jacket has the look of the Cossack style jacket that it replaced. The angle of the pockets, the bottom hem. A transitional jacket styled after the Iconic Hercules would be my guess.

 

[ZeppyDoo]

Block was a big maker in the bay area. They produced a large variety of outerwear with many interesting designs in many leathers. This jacket is made of delicate capeskin in the new half-belt style with the adjustments just below the half-belt very similar to the Iconic Sears/Monarch Hercules posted above. The Style and grommet zipper date the jacket c.1936. Capeskin was very popular in this time, unfortunately it does not age well.

I do not know any product that will decrease or stop the flaking of the hide. It is a collectors item for display or for parts. The Talon grommet zipper is valuable, the label, hardware. The zipper is the value at this point.

The condition is like many Capeskin jackets from this era. I have two Cape jackets that have survived quite well I have one that is similar to your jacket. It too has a nice zipper.

This is a Cape Hercules. could well have been made by Block c.1940

Note the placement of the adjustments is inline with the sewn on half-belt.

Topline was just that for Sears, Their best jackets. California Sportswear Co. made jackets with the Topline label.

Thank you, for responding and teaching me about this jacket . I find it all very interesting.

 

[tmitchell59]

Thank you, for responding and teaching me about this jacket . I find it all very interesting.

This is the most extraordinary jackets I own. It is delicate skin in near mint condition. c.1938

Cape had a lot of appeal when new, it was light weight and looked great. This is how it would have appeared new.

 

[tmitchell59]

I will oblige! I haven’t had much chance myself. It’s definitely a favorite. It’s needs Dena’s attention at the cuffs, the sleeves are too short and it needs the length, so a leather banded cuff will happen after the holidays. What intrigues me the most are the zippers. A small tweak and this is my favorite one yet.

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I have seen that main zip on a 60s jacket I own, it also has a generic teardrop pull.

 

[Canuck Panda]

It is an amazing jacket and worth every penny, and there were a lot pennies.

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Wow!
Triple stitched large panels. Wind tight front closure, even with buttons. And that leather! This jacket was made in the 20s/30s?

 

[ZeppyDoo]

This is the most extraordinary jackets I own. It is delicate skin in near mint condition. c.1938

Cape had a lot of appeal when new, it was light weight and looked great. This is how it would have appeared new.

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Wow! That one is exceptionally nice. Very Cool
Thanks For Sharing the pictures, and your knowledge.

 

[hodgeko]

Just took delivery on this Sportclad HH half belt jacket and I'm very excited. I've included some pics for y'all. First is a fit pic, and I feel like the fit is good! Let me know what you think.

I don't know how to really talk about the leather, so happy to answer any questions. It's not too stiff, but there are a few rough spots I'm a little worried about. Especially seems a little thin & worn on the shoulders. See pics. Should I condition it at all? What do you recommend? I have some Howard Leather Conditioner at home, would that be good? There are also a couple of spots that have a sort of waxy white buildup. Maybe from previous treatments? Should I do anything about that? Not sure you can see in the pics but maybe you know what I'm talking about.

Terry tells me it's 1946-51, based on the label. Looks like the main zip is a Crown, and the pocket zip is a Talon. Can we narrow it down any more from those?

Lining is pretty cool. I guess the bottom part that's a different plaid is a repair? Still kind of neat.

What else? I guess that's it. My first legit vintage leather jacket and I'm over the moon. Thanks to everyone here for the inspiration and all the research!

 

[hodgeko]

Here are a few more close ups of the leather.

 

[Yamahana]

Just took delivery on this Sportclad HH half belt jacket and I'm very excited. I've included some pics for y'all. First is a fit pic, and I feel like the fit is good! Let me know what you think.

I don't know how to really talk about the leather, so happy to answer any questions. It's not too stiff, but there are a few rough spots I'm a little worried about. Especially seems a little thin & worn on the shoulders. See pics. Should I condition it at all? What do you recommend? I have some Howard Leather Conditioner at home, would that be good? There are also a couple of spots that have a sort of waxy white buildup. Maybe from previous treatments? Should I do anything about that? Not sure you can see in the pics but maybe you know what I'm talking about.

Terry tells me it's 1946-51, based on the label. Looks like the main zip is a Crown, and the pocket zip is a Talon. Can we narrow it down any more from those?

Lining is pretty cool. I guess the bottom part that's a different plaid is a repair? Still kind of neat.

What else? I guess that's it. My first legit vintage leather jacket and I'm over the moon. Thanks to everyone here for the inspiration and all the research! View attachment 386143 View attachment 386144 View attachment 386145 View attachment 386146 View attachment 386147 View attachment 386148 View attachment 386152 View attachment 386153

Totally ROCKS!! You done well there sir.

 

[tmitchell59]

Here are a few more close ups of the leather. View attachment 386154 View attachment 386155 View attachment 386156 View attachment 386158 View attachment 386159 View attachment 386160

Looks great. Sportclads with this label always seem to be quite nice. It is 70+ old. You will have a difficult time finding another as nice. No way I know to better date it.

 

[hodgeko]

Thanks, Terry! Do you think I need to condition it or do anything to the leather to help it last another 70 years? Just a little worried about some of those rough/thin spots. I want to wear the heck out of it but I also want to keep it in good shape.

Looks great. Sportclads with this label always seem to be quite nice. It is 70+ old. You will have a difficult time finding another as nice. No way I know to better date it.

 

[tmitchell59]

Wear it with care, it is old. Condition when dry. This jacket does not look dry? Thin areas can be reinforced from the inside. I would not wear in the rain. This was never intended to be a heavy all weather jacket.

Many others have experience with conditioners.

 

[hodgeko]

Excellent, that's exactly the kind of stuff I need to know! Thanks again.

Wear it with care, it is old. Condition when dry. This jacket does not look dry? Thin areas can be reinforced from the inside. I would not wear in the rain. This was never intended to be a heavy all weather jacket.

Many others have experience with conditioners.