The great surge of adventurous Americans who rushed to California to pan for gold in the mid-1800s brought with them very few personal possessions. They did, however bring with them great opportunity for the area businessmen. One such industrious young man was 24 year old Loeb Strauss. Known to his friends as “Levi”, Strauss saw the opportunity to expand his family business to accommodate the miners pouring into the San Francisco Bay area.
In 1853 he opened his first store and his efforts were met with considerable success. Yet, it would not be his talents as a merchant that would garner Strauss a place in history, but rather ability to know a good opportunity when he saw one.
Strauss had befriended a local tailor named Jacob Davis who catered to the local prospectors, many of whom shared a common problem — they were constantly ripping the pockets from their pants. To strengthen his customer’s trousers Davis had been reinforcing the pockets with a tough cotton twill and putting metal rivets at the corners of the pockets and the crotch. A simple solution? Yes, but very effective. The pants quickly caught on and Davis decided to take out a patent on the idea. There was only one problem. He did not have the $68 required to file the paperwork. So who did he call? His good friend Levi Strauss… and the rest, as they say, “is history.”
Today, old jeans have caught the eye of collectors who are willing to pay top dollar for a 19th century pair of jeans. While it is unlikely you will ever come across a pair, it is well worth the search as they have been know to sell at auction for several thousand dollars. What you may be more likely to find are 1930s Levi jeans with the “buckleback” feature or Wrangler “Blue Bell” jeans that are currently bringing $75-$100 on eBay.
Why the interest in old denim clothes? It would appear that people around the world are fascinated by the concept of the American cowboy and are willing to pay good money for items associated with the persona. So how do you tell a $5 pair of old jeans from one worth the big bucks? Here is a brief history lesson that will aid in identification.
The 1873 Stiff 3-pocket “waist overalls” were introduced in California and sold for 22 cents each. In 1886 Strauss added a leather patch with “two hitched horses” unable to pull apart a pair of his jeans. In 1890, a small fourth pocket was added by Strauss above the front pocket. In 1890 the “wallet pocket” was added. Then, in 1922, belt loops were added. In 1926, zippers replaced buttons. In 1930, the Levi “red tag” was added. Then in 1963, the first “bell-bottoms” hit the stores. In 1971, Levi changed the “E” to an “e” on their red tags.
For more information on the history of jeans go to www.collectorsweekly.com/mens-clothing/levischeck where you will find detailed information and pictures of over 1,000 photos of collectible jeans and denim jackets. Until next time….Linda
Linda Kennett is a professional liquidation consultant specializing in down-sizing for seniors and the liquidation of estates and may be reached at 317-258-7835 or through Facebook at www.facebook.com/WhatsInTheAttic
