Deadstock 1950’s Lee dark duck overalls

Fantastic early 1950’s Lee dark duck overalls in deadstock condition. Features include Long L buttons, United Garment Workers Union label inside pocket, H.D. Lee sewn on label, dark duck with yellow stitching, original production chalk marks & thread run off, double knees & pockets.

Wanted to keep them for myself, maybe even start wearing them for work, until Larry of Heller's Cafe aka the King of Vintage mentioned what he figured they were worth. Lots of interest the couple of times they were displayed at the Bowl and recently made their way to Tokyo Japan, where they can currently be found for sale at Little Reata, another Inspiration event exhibitor and home of some fine deadstock vintage workwear & rockabilly clothing.

Inspiration, Jeep Grand Wagoneer & The Rose Bowl

The 1989 Jeep Grand Wagoneer All Valley Handyman Service company truck has been putting in some overtime these days and can currently be found at the Rose Bowl Flea Market in Pasadena, CA on the second Sunday of every month.

Rin Tanaka’s inspiration event held Friday & Saturday Feb 12 & 13, 2010 was the perfect jumping off point for the Sunday Feb 14, 2010 debut of our little slice of the vintage clothing pie known as The San Fernando Valley Mercantile Co. The focus is on vintage workwear from the 1940’s thru 1970’s. We’re off and running having sold some great old garments and made some great new friends. Stop by and check us out if you are at the Bowl, space # 5282.

Here's a great old FINCK'S sign that we just sold this past month.
Big thanks to Rin for all the inspiration and Ben from RRL for the hook ups. The Kogi truck at the RRL Melrose after party Saturday night was a real nice touch. Check David Himel’s blog The Art of Vintage Leather Jackets for a nice inspiration event recap.

Salt & Pepper Twill or Convert Cloth…by any name, you had me at hello.

Just a few pieces of vintage workwear based on one of my favorite fabrics and a couple of variations to get us started. Some are from my closet, some are dead stock from the collection and some items are for sale thru the San Fernando Valley Mercantile.

Here’s a list of what’s pictured above:

• Deadstock Stifel cloth button fly work pants
• Deadstock SMCO sanforized s&p cotton twill work pants
• Deadstock Blue Bell sanforized s&p 11oz twill work pants
• Deadstock Sweet Orr sanforized s&p work pants
• Deadstock sanforized button fly s&p work pants
• Deadstock Big Mac sanforized s&p work pants
• Deadstock Big Mac sanforized s&p whipcord work pants
• Coltex fabric button fly work pants
• Sanforized s&p convert cloth button fly work pants
• Fyresafe Permaprofed flame proof s&p whipcord button fly work pants
• TIMKEN coverall sanforized s&p w chainstitch
• Workmaster coverall sanforized s&p w/ wreath buttons
• S&P coverall w/ wreath buttons & period repairs
• Madewell shop coat Union Made s&p convert cloth w selvedge & flap pocket
• Big Ben s&p convert cloth jacket
• Big Mac & Pay-Day s&p whipcord lined jackets
• RRL s&p 91-B style lined jacket
• Levis repro grey chambray work shirt
• Big Mac dark grey chambray s&p work shirt
• Big Mac s&p convert work shirts (various)
• S&P cotton twill GMC Service work shirt
• Blue s&p depression era childs overalls
• Sanforized s&p convert cloth childs overalls

Will follow up with future posts featuring more detailed photos & descriptions along with some related items of interest and some other pieces not pictured. Till then, check out a great DubbleWare salt & pepper shop coat and article on twist chambray a.k.a. convert cloth / salt & pepper fabric over at RIVETED, a fine blog for vintage workwear aficionados.

...and speaking of salt & pepper cloth & workwear aficionados, eBay sellers *kompendium & emperor-of-mercia have been bringing some great salt & pepper workwear from the UK as of late. Check them out for a nice change of pace.

Take note of the early RRL made in USA salt & pepper work cap purchased way back in the mid 1990’s; my first foray into the world of salt & pepper fabric work clothes & the iconic clothing label that would help shape & define a style for myself & so many others. Till RRL gets the post space it deserves, here's a link to another like minded blog, SANFORIZED for some nice photos of the RRL Melrose store.