Antique FINCK'S "DETROIT-SPECIAL" OVERALLS "Wear Like A Pigs Nose" Advertising Whistle... For Mike

Today we share this FINCK'S UNION MADE "DETROIT-SPECIAL" OVERALLS advertising whistle in fond memory of Mike Hersh. His wonderful blog UNION-MADE set the bar high for vintage workwear advertising, promotional and print material. While we were proud of the fact that many of the pieces Mike so graciously shared were also in our collection, his knowledge, insight and obvious passion for the art and history set him (and UNION-MADE) apart and reminded us on so many occasions as to just why we love this stuff. Mike's frequent positive comments on this blog were always appreciated and provided food for the soul and fuel for the fire in the quest to find time and motivation in the busy schedule to post and share. I never got the chance to meet Mike up close and in person but truly considered him to be a friend, brother-in-arms and much valued member of our little blogging community. News this past weekend of Mike's passing hits hard and reminds us of just how precious life is and to appreciate the time and interaction we have with those whose light burns bright... we never know when that light will dim and no longer be with us. 
R.I.P Mike and Godspeed.

Antique FINCK'S "LOUD AD" advertising whistle manufactured by F.G. Fawkes & Co. Chicago U.S.A.  Patent in U.S. and Canada 1909 & 1910.

"A tune can be played, a Parrot or Rooster imitated, etc". After one hundred years give or take it still works!

Vintage FINCK'S Chore Jacket and Overalls "Wear Like a Pig's Nose"

Unused 1950's era FINCK'S RED \ BAR WORK GARMENTS promotional matchbook

Vintage 1950's era FINCK'S RED \ BAR Work Jacket in rare "dot" pinstripe fabric

Front watch pocket with RED \ BAR loomed rayon label & engraved FINCKS "pig" snap type button

FINCK'S RED \ BAR-UNION MADE-SANFORIZED loomed rayon lot size tag

Right side chest interior pocket

United Garment Workers of America union label

Matching FINCK'S RED \ BAR Overalls

Great RED BAR hardware with embossed pig

FINCK'S "Wear Like A Pig's Nose" UNION MADE SANFORIZED loomed rayon label located on back

United Garment Workers of America union label

1940's & 1950's era Finck's Painters Overalls & Note Books

1940's era Fincks Red Bar Work Garments booklet

1950's era Finck's Painters Overalls

Lightning Magazine AMERICAN HERITAGE Special Issue Vol. 101, Part 2

1950's era FINCK'S Red Bar Chore Jacket as seen in Lightning Magazine American Heritage Issue Vol.101

FINCK'S "Detroit Special" Overalls and Garments Time Books circa 1910 also seen in Lightning Magazine Vol.101

Again thanks to Shogo and Tadashi of Lightning for the very nice article and great magazine, and to Zip Stevenson for the hook up early on.

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.