1930's RELIANCE BIG YANK Salt & Pepper Whipcord Breeches

1930's era BIG YANK "A RELIANCE PRODUCT" size & lot tag

Loomed SANFORIZED "Will Not Shrink" label located at inside waistband & pocket bag

Genuine BOAT SAIL pocketing stamp

WARD'S Fall/Winter 1933-1934 catalog

VINTAGE MONTGOMERY WARD HOMESTEADER CONVERT CLOTH WORKSHIRT

 New Old Stock 1940's-1950's Montgomery Ward HOMESTEADER •SANFORIZED• economy model convert cloth aka "salt & pepper" work shirt with original flasher. Wards offered the HOMESTEADER line of work shirts as the base model or "good" version. Other Wards brands included PIONEER which was known as "better" and TOP FLIGHT which was known as the "best". The grain or "streak" of the convert cloth, the beautiful pointed collar along with the MW insignia seen at the top of the flasher lead me to believe that this shirt dates from the late 1940's to early 1950's.

1939 Montgomery Ward catalog HOMESTEADER Convert Cloth shirt advertisement

1950-1951 Wards Fall & Winter Catalog HOMESTEADER Convert Cloth shirt advertisement

1951-1952 Wards Fall & Winter Catalog HOMESTEADER Convert Cloth shirt advertisement

HOMESTEADER shirt color photos courtesy of forgetmedont

DEADSTOCK 1940's MONTGOMERY WARD BROWN CONVERT CLOTH WORKSHIRT

This vintage Montgomery Ward salt & pepper workshirt is another classic case of ebay now you see it, now you don't.  Deadstock with lot & size tag and Pepperell Fabrics Sanforized Shrunk, Vat Dyed placket flasher in rarely seen brown convert cloth, this beauty didn't last long before the much dreaded "This listing was ended by the seller because the item is no longer available" appeared. Details including narrow pointed collar and machine loomed neck label point to this shirt likely dating from the 1940's, possibly 1930's. Any and all information that helps better confirm age is always appreciated.

Lightning Magazine AMERICAN HERITAGE Special Issue Vol. 101

Back in October I posted on the pleasure and honor of having Shogo & Tad from Lightning Magazine in our home to photograph a few pieces from the collection. The American Heritage issue Vol.101 featuring photos taken that Sunday hit the domestic stands today. I'm real pleased with the results. Many thanks to the folks at Lightning who graciously sent 2 copies. 

In addition to pictures from the magazine, over the next few days I'll also share more detailed photos of some of my favorite vintage workwear from the collection that was featured in the article .

 

1950s era PENNEY’S salt & pepper whipcord wool lined jacket.

PENNEY'S PAY-DAY UNION MADE label.

Slant pocket featuring much favored red GRIPPER ZIPPER with deco chain pull. 

Scovil GRIPPER ZIPPER.

 

Belt back with by-swing pleats.

Close up of belt back, cat eye side button waist adjustors and expansion by-swing pleats.

The issue also featured our Rose Bowl neighbor Randy Jones aka Tiki Ranch showing off some of his great advertising memorabilia and collectibles. Some photos to follow.

1940's Era Salt & Pepper Whipcord Work Vest

1940's era two tone salt & pepper whipcord work vest with single stitch construction 
 & large cat's eye buttons, size 36. Sold via The San Fernando Valley Mercantile Co.

Vintage 1940's Free Land Union Made Sanforized Salt & Pepper Coveralls

1940's era Free Land Union Made, Sanforized Salt & Pepper Convert Cloth Coveralls sold via The San Fernando Valley Mercantile Co. 

Nice Free Land Union Made, Sanforized loomed tag