Vintage BIG YANK Chambray Work Shirt with Sweat Proof Pocket

1950s era BIG YANK Union Made Sanforized Chambray Work Shirt featuring unique pocket sometimes referred to as a cigarette pocket. The BIG YANK sweat proof pocket design is a classic example of form follows function, having been used on various RELIANCE BIG YANK work shirts since the early 20th century. This rare example is deadstock or new old stock having never been tried on or worn let alone unpinned or opened.

Below the same model shirt with character and fade from years of wear and tear is seen for comparison

1950s era collar was significantly less pointed than its predecessor from the 1940's. This shirt also features signature BIG YANK diamond embossed buttons. Their thicker shape and raised detail were much easier for working men to button and unbutton.

Left side squared off sweat proof pocket with flap closure shares the same basic size and shape as the conventional right side pocket, setting this version apart from previous incarnations with their "big pocket and triangular topped little pocket" design.

Lower hem reinforcement gusset with exposed selvedge edge, again form following function

BIG YANK signature arched upper yoke with two layers of fabric.  The dual layers add  additional protection while carrying loads on the shoulder in addition to added life to the garment, another example of form following function.

 About the only pet peeve is that The BIG YANK UNION MADE SANFORIZED neck label found on shirts from this era were attached with glue and have a tendency to become detached after many washings.  Color variation between the deadstock and used versions of the same shirt can be seen in the photo above.

Early 1900's THE PRESIDENT GUARANTEED WORK SHIRT

While we do not normally feature items currently up for auction, for this beautiful vintage chambray work shirt an exception is in order. The nice seller of this garment contacted us with questions about this rare find and we were happy to shed some light on this century old shirt and help promote this current auction.

This PRESIDENT GUARANTEED WORK SHIRT was manufactured by The President Shirt Co. in Baltimore, Md sometime around 1911 and while one hundred plus years of age has indeed taken its toll, aside from a few holes, storage soil and stains this shirt looks to be in barely worn if not unworn condition.

Primitively constructed of coarse weave blue chambray fabric with some very crude single and double stitching in contrasting natural thread, this vintage work shirt includes many nice details. These details include pull-over type body with two button front placket, two button chin strap collar tab, single front pocket with pen/tool slot, lower side hem rip stop gussets, back shoulder yoke with arcuate type stitching detail and a great printed neck label seen in the photo above.

Early 1900s President Guaranteed Work Shirt

Beautifully primitive chin strap collar tab with crude stitching

Double layer back shoulder yoke arcuate with more crude stitching. Loom chatter in the fabric can be seen in the upper right corner

Lower hem rip stop gussets

1911 President Guaranteed Work Shirt print ad

1930s BIG YANK FLYER LABEL CHAMBRAY WORK SHIRT with NRA CODE TAG

Fantastic 1930's era BIG YANK FLYER sweat proof pocket shirt LOT 3820 SIZE 17 in unused deadstock condition. So many killer details on this beauty, most of which are listed below.

• BIG YANK FLYER PATENTED tag, printed in 2 color ink with SIZE & LOT numbers individually stamped in black

• NRA CODE, Cotton Garment Code Authority LICENSE NO. muslin tag with numbers stamped in red

• Blue cotton chambray fabric with heavy grain

• Contrasting dark blue cotton single, double and triple stitching

• Double layer top yoke with curved horizontal stitching common to BIG YANK work shirts

• Back side top yoke ventilation eyelets stitched in green cotton thread

• Extra long patch style "big pocket" with pencil slot and bar tack reinforcements stitched in green cotton thread

• Sweat proof square"little pocket" in the rarer non-pyramid top style with flap closure and embossed painted BIG YANK metal button

• Pointed collar

• Lower side hem gussets

photos courtesy of tomsgr8deals