SWEET-ORR Union Made flannel work shirt constructed of heavy weight yarn-dyed SANFORIZED cotton with pointed collar, black convex two hole buttons and lower hem side reinforcement gussets.
Perfectly pointed collar.
Patch type chest pockets, each with a slightly different shape and plaid pattern. Interesting detail in that the front placket buttons only run about half the length of the shirt, likely due to the high-wasted style of pants worn during the same 1950s time period . The wider lower hem portion of the shirt back likely helped in keeping the shirt tucked in during physical work.
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!
Awesome vintage Lee "Buddy Lee" two-tone denim child's playsuit with shawl collar and fold down front pockets recently found and shared by one of our friends. Hefty bar-tack reinforcements in red thread located at the bottom of the pocket and side opening, best seen in the fourth photo. This piece likely dates to the 1920s-1930s
Deadstock Vintage Carhartt Union Made Brown Duck Winter Cap. Grainy dark brown SANFORIZED duck canvas with fold down ear flaps and flannel lining and to help keep you warm and toasty on those cold winter days. United Cap & Hatters Millinery Workers Union label can be seen hiding behind the original size tag. Originally priced at $4.25, likely dates to the 1960's based on the cursive script label. From the vintageworkwear.com collection.
It's that time of the year when the seminal Cheech and Chong Christmas track Santa Claus And His Old Lady is in full rotation and our thoughts turn to another slice of classic old school humor.
The 1973 song and 1975 animated short film Basketball Jones by Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong hits the mark on so many levels, lets hope everyone "gets it" and enjoys it as much as we have for nearly 40 years. The fact that the film was produced at a time (pre MTV) when there were no traditional outlets for these types of music videos along with the "who's who" involved with both music and animation makes the Basketball Jones legacy all the more special. Some of the names who contributed will both surprise and impress. Enjoy!
Turn of the century Hamilton Carhartt Manufacturing Co. illustrated Union Made Work Clothing brochure with fabric samples. Cloth swatches include denim, heart print indigo dyed wabash, yarn dyed black cotton twill and a long time favorite pin-check referred to here as "highest grade and favorites in the south". The swatch of blue twill with grey and white twisted yarn warp or fill seen in the upper left corner is especially interesting. The taupe or olive colored twill seen in the lower right corner was used for New York state work uniforms. A similar color is found on vintage NYC workers uniform garments manufactured by Sweet-Orr. In addition to the various fabrics, the illustration of the rail worker holding the oil can (seen in the middle of the fabric swatches) and THE TROLLY CAR-HEART BRAND Union Made Pants and Overalls box logo are also seen in various Carhartt Railroad Time Books dating from 1900 to 1907 and help to date this mailer to the early 1900's.
