VINTAGE BROWN'S BEACH JACKETS AND VESTS AS SEEN ON HBO'S BOARDWALK EMPIRE

Sunday night marked three weeks running that various Brown's Beach Jacket garments have been spotted as part of what surely can be said to be some of the if not the best wardrobe currently seen on television.

Four different Brown's Beach Jacket garments can be seen in this scene from the HBO series Boardwalk Empire. From left to right- early BB jacket in black with pointed collar, later blue BB jacket with rounded collar, what looks to be an early BB vest and finally an early BB collar-less jacket in black.

Three weeks ago we were provided a glimpse of Richard Harrow sporting a Brown's Beach vest under his coat and scarf. Last week we were treated to scenes of Richard wearing the same vest, seen below both with and without the wool coat. 

Not to get all critical especially since the wardrobe and set dressing is always so good but with Richards vest being in what looked to be in near perfect condition some key details can be easily seen. This particular Brown's Beach vest is a later version as identified by its weave of dark blue, grey, black and white wool herringbone wool and the later Scovil or DOT conventional type snaps measuring 1/2" in diameter. A period correct vest would have been constructed of black, grey and white herringbone weave. The earlier garments sometimes included various shades of brown due to age and exposure to the elements. Another tell tale sign of earlier garments are the much less common larger 3/4" nipple type snaps that were used.

All said, a very good night of television indeed.

 1930s Brown's Beach collar-less jacket or cardigan from the vintageworkwear.com collection

Side by side comparison of 1930's era Brown's Beach Jacket black, grey and white wool herringbone weave (seen on left) and 1950's era Brown's Beach Jacket  blue, grey and white herringbone weave. vintageworkwear.com collection

Side by side comparison of 1930's era Brown's Beach Jacket 3/4" nipple type snap fastener seen on the left and 1950's era Brown's Beach Jacket 1/2" Scovil brand snap fastener seen on the right. vintageworkwear.com collection

Male portion of early nipple type snap on the left and later conventional type snap on the right.               vintageworkwear.com collection 

Backside view of female portion of early nipple type snap on the left and later conventional type snap on the right. vintageworkwear.com collection

Some very nice reproduction Brown's Beach Jacket garments can be found at one of our favorite  shops, Speedway Haberdashery of Sendai Japan. Check out their online store or see their facebook page here. To view item available from their store in English check them out on Rakuten here.
Above images of Richard Harrow and Al Capone's "guys" courtesy of HBO / Boardwalk Empire.

1930's, 40's & 50's Era Brown's Beach Jacket Print Advertising

Some recently unearthed Brown's Beach Jacket print advertising dating from the 1930's thru the1950's. Shared along with the photos below was a bit of information that sheds light on some of the later history of this iconic brand.

WWII era Brown's Beach Jacket promo poster

Various 1940's Brown's Beach Jacket & Vest dealer promos

1936 Brown's Beach Jacket print ad

1940s Brown's Beach Jacket dealer promo

1941 Brown's Beach Jacket Holiday ad

1955 Brown's Beach Play 'n Sport SHORTS print ad

1951 Brown's Beach Cloth BOOT SOX print ad

WWII era Brown's Beach Jacket print ad

Early full color Brown's Beach Jacket print ad. A variation of this ad can be seen in our 2010 post here

Letter from Brown's Beach Jacket Founder and President Samuel W. Brown to dealers

Jacob Finkelstein and Sons acquired the rights to manufacture iconic Brown's Beach Jackets and Vests at his factory in Woonsocket, Rhode Island and received the prior advertising history of the Brown's Beach products upon transfer of ownership. The print ads and dealer promotional signage seen above are just a portion of this early Brown's Beach Jacket advertising history. Information provided has Finkelstein and Son's selling the garments across the country in addition to offering them via their outlet store in an old horse barn in Middleborough, MA (Mass.). Since the advertising history obtained by Jacob Finkelstein and Sons covers the time period up until 1955, the transfer of ownership and manufacturing move to Woonsocket Rhode Island seems to have taken place after 1955.

Most of the dozen or so Brown's Beach Jackets and Vests that we have sold, traded or that currently reside in the VINTAGE WORKWEAR.COM collection have had the interior label that included the Worcester, Mass. manufacturing location, or no location listed on the label. One exception to this norm was one of the very first Brown's Beach Jackets I owned and this jacket had the less common Woonsocket RI label. Various Brown's Beach Jacket and Vest print ads from our archive that have been shared via this blog have also referred to the 35 Chandler, Worcester, Mass. location. One Brown's Beach Jacket ad previously shared does reference the 128 Singleton St. Woonsocket Rhode Island address. 

To make things more interesting, a deadstock 3 pocket model currently residing in our collection sports a label that looks to be of more recent design and includes a Norfolk, Mass. address and can be seen here. The original hang tags that reside with this garment and a deadstock Surcoat model with zipper front closure include the WPL number 4416.  
WPL numbers were issued from 1941 through 1959 under the Wool Products Labeling Act. WPL numbers begin at 00101 and end at 13669. This does not mean that the garment was produced in that time span, only that the number was issued to the company during that time.

Look for more history and information on this legendary company and their products to follow.

New Brown's BEACH JACKETS & VESTS at Speedway Shop, Part 2

Some more pictures and details on the new Brown's BEACH JACKETS and VESTS available from the Speedway Shop in Sendai Japan. A top notch take on an iconic piece of vintage workwear.


Pre-orders will be accepted up until next Tuesday, May 24 for October delivery. Don't snooze if you want one because these should sell out. 


Again this is a great opportunity to support John's relief work in and around Sendai Japan and come away with great jacket or vest. There is still so much work to be done and so many people that need help and John is making a difference for those who don't have anyone else.

BBJ-124

BBJ-224

BBJ-324

BBJ-524

BBJ-924

BBJ-7224

Close up of the new Brown's BEACH JACKET Black wool tweed fabric.

Close up of the new Brown's BEACH JACKET Navy Blue wool tweed fabric.

Close up of the new Brown's BEACH JACKET engraved snap. 

How to measure for proper size

Sizing chart in centimeters

Email shopatspeedway@hotmail.com

www.speedway-shop.com <http://www.speedway-shop.com/>
Speedway on Rakuten <http://www.rakuten.ne.jp/gold/speedway-shop/>
Speedway on eBay  <http://stores.shop.ebay.com/Speedway-shop%20>

Brown's BEACH JACKETS and VESTS available for pre-order at Speedway Shop

Brown's Beach Jacket print ad, FARM JOURNAL AND FARMERS WIFE  December, 1940. From the vintage workwear.com archive.

Just got word of this fine looking new collection of Brown's Beach Jackets & Vests from John and the folks at Speedway Shop, Sendai Japan. Would love to add the collar-less cardigan BBJ-124 and 3 button BBJ-7224 to the collection if larger sizes were available. Maybe later?

BBJ-124: 48000 JPY plus 3500 JPY for shipping   

BBJ-224: 52000 JPY plus 3500 JPY for shipping

BBJ-324: 32000 JPY plus 2500 JPY for shipping

BBJ-924: 48000 JPY plus 3500 JPY for shipping

BBJ-7224: 55000 JPY plus 3500 JPY for shipping

BBJ-524: 32000 JPY plus 2500 JPY for shipping

Present currency rate has 48000 Japanese yen equaling $587.85 USD. Check XE's Currency Converter for other conversion rates.

All items are available in sizes 34, 36, 38, 40 & 42 only.

All items are available in traditional Brown's Beach Jacket black, or navy color.

*No tax is charged if you are outside of Japan.
*Delivery is in October.
*Pre-order items must be paid for to be reserved. Speedway Shop graciously requests that you not ask one to be held for you.


If you have any questions or to arrange for pre-order, please feel free to email the folks at Speedway anytime and they will get back with you ASAP. 
email shopatspeedway@hotmail.com

Or check em out at.
www.speedway-shop.com <http://www.speedway-shop.com/>
Speedway on Rakuten <http://www.rakuten.ne.jp/gold/speedway-shop/>
Speedway on eBay  <http://stores.shop.ebay.com/Speedway-shop>        


A great opportunity to give business and support to someone close to those most effected by the ongoing disaster, someone who's making a difference.