Where Do You Find the Product Number on a Levi Jean Jacket?

It's e'er with great charge and abide by that extraordinary speaks of a brand alike Levi's , a brand with such fat chronicle and so umpteen myths and legends attached to its gens. The stigma was founded by two European immigrants in America, Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis with their patent for copper-riveted jeans. The original use for the jeans was for miners during the Bunc–opportunists at the real bottom of the operative year, venturing to California with really constricted means, fighting the wild, each other, and devilishly diseases eager to buzz off a patch of the pie.

No one at the time could've had the slightest mind that the brand formerly called The Two Sawhorse Brand, would sooner or later produce so big that information technology could be seen on the likes of bug out icons and presidents, not to mention the entire world. Most hoi polloi that I know have owned a piece of Levi's in their lives. Although modern St. Matthew's International Relations and Security Network't the same as the St. Matthew's we know from the grow of the century or just the mid-twentieth century, the vision of the post's creators is still there.

A young Mick Jagger, an opposed-style icon recreation a Levi's Type I. Figure via LongJohn.

If Levi's is known for one thing besides their jeans, it's their jackets, which they've produced for over a 100 old age. A century of truckers and blousons, however, has successful for a multitude of models that many give their lives to cataloging.

There's no such thing as an official guide (i.e. provided by Levi's) for dating time of origin Levi's jackets. Much of their original archives were destroyed in the San Francisco earthquake in 1906 and resultant fire. One has to swear heavily happening the knowledge of collectors and enthusiasts, communicating done cyberspace and sharing on various forums and blogs, their finds and findings. Sometimes incorrect, poorly scripted, badly translated operating room based on counterfeit products, these pieces of information are hard to trust, but that same uncertainty is what keeps the treasure track dow going, and what has kept it expiration for centuries like a sho. It's the existence of that gray area that allows collectors to transcend the academics.

Although an official guide would be accessible at multiplication, IT would also shatter some of the mystery related to to the Levi's brand, as well as deprive us of the privilege of sharing the cognition we've found. A hard discussed topic already, this isn't going to be the first, but we wanted to add to and better the already available guides.

This article will help you sort and identify the types and dates of vintage Levi's denim jackets from the three most iconic Levi's designs:

1. 506XX Blouse– subsequently referred to as the first or Typecast I jacket crown (1905-1953)
2. 507XX – likewise called Type II jacket (1953-1962)
3. 557XX/Character III – referred to as the "Teamster" jacket crown (1962-present)

LVC reproductions of the triplet briny designs: Type I, Type Cardinal and Typewrite III.

The Type I and Type Tierce let both run for more than five decades. Their designs have seen several changes over the years referable brand innovation, shift in trends, wartime, manufacturing costs/efficiency etc. Parenthesis from the condition and design (a scarce designing is of course many sought after) of the dress, age plays the biggest role in determining the worthy of a vintage Levi's jacket crown. Below is a lean of features to take into consideration when geological dating vintage Levi's jackets, beginning with the first things to spirit for.

Invention: Eccentric I, Cardinal, or III?

First off, start by determining the design of your jacket. Authentic Type I and II jackets are very desirable by collectors nowadays and commonly deal on the second market (e.g. eBay) for $1,000 – $6,000 The States Dollars.

Should you be lucky enough dig one of these from the attic of an older relative, there are ways to determine its production age and estimate its worth, but I'll get back to that in a trifle.

Eccentric III (1962-present)

The well-nig unwashed design is the Levi's Type Trine jacket, likewise referred to as the "Trucker" jacket. Introduced in 1962, it's arguably the most popular excogitation of them all, having been atomic number 75-interpreted by many contemporary brands.

The general design has been in production for Levi's for more than 50 years, and over years of big growth, taking Levi's from an American interior treasure to an world-wide empire. The jackets are produced in bigger quantities and due to their age, less expected to be in rags.

The following questions and steps testament help you watch the approximate age of any given vintage Type III:

1. Does it have lateral / hand warmer pockets?

If your jacket crown has four pockets in addition to the two chest pockets, IT's been produced close to 1984 or later. That yr, Saint Matthew the Apostle's produced jackets and another clothes for the American team during the Olympic Games in LA.

Jackets with side pockets will not have a capital "E" along the Levi's Red-faced Tab, located connected the left bureau bag. If it does IT's likely to be a fake. If it doesn't have side pockets, it could be older than 1984 and you can carry on to step 2.

2. Does it have a capital "E" (referred to every bit "Big E") on the Red Tab?

If yes, then your jacket is from 1971 Beaver State earlier. The Ruby Tab was introduced in 1936 equally a mean of defending the Levi's brand against copycats, mimicking features like the Arcuate on the back pocket of Levi's jeans. The primary Red Tab had "LEVI'S" altogether Das Kapital letters on the front, no hallmark and no writing on the back.

The design of The Red Yellow journalism was changed some times, with the stylemark "R" and LEVI'S along both sides being introduced in 1950. Merely in 1971 the capital letters were exchanged so that only the "L" was capitalized. If your jacket has a small e-Red Tab and No side pockets, then your jacket crown was most likely produced between 1971-84.

If it has a Big E, then it's opening to get interesting. These jackets are commonly found and are typically priced someplace between $100 – $300 USD.

3. Does it have a care label?

Pictur via We Are Koalas Time of origin.

Attention labels were introduced by law to USA-made garments in 1971, the equivalent year American Samoa the Boastfully E disappeared. Quoted from the official site of the Federal Trade Commission: " T o assist consumers in acquiring information about wear care, the Federal Trade Commission in 1971 issued the Caution Labeling Rule."

I'm unsure about the crossover between the invention change of the Red Tab and the care label introduction, but I haven't come across an authentic Big E with a care label earlier. If you have a Type I surgery II with a deal recording label it's definitely either a fake operating theater a reproduction from LVC – Levi's own breeding line.

4. Does it have an whole Levi's mark down in the endorse of the inside neck?

If yes, and the lot number is readable (get down left corner) you can check the lot number. If IT's tagged "557" followed by "XX" then it's older than 1971 e.g. 70505 (slightly longer, introduced around '68). The Type III jacket evolved from the 557 series to the 70505, 71205, 70518 etcetera, as unusual fits and lengths beingness introduced over sentence.

To my knowledge, there were only 2 issues of the 557 series, one in 1962 and one in 1967. Decease to step 5 and see the easiest way to separate new 557 from later issues.

5. Does information technology have maize-colored yellow thread in the taproo tacks low the pocket flaps?

If yes, and your label reads "557" past you own an early version of the 557XX. The 70505 uses a navy blue/black thread color under its pocket flap. Maiz ribbon was phased out and replaced with orange thread as a briny color, and around the belated 60's they stopped up using it completely. Legend has it that Jacob Davis originally insisted that the weave should be orange to match the brand's copper rivets.

Another sign indicating that you have a 557 and non a later issue is the size of the recording label. Even if the label has total off, which is the case with a pot of these jackets, you should still constitute healthy to see a mark from where the label was. The 557 label is bigger and not atomic number 3 rectangular as the 70505 and later labels. Indefinite exception is the crossover voter label of the "70505-0217", occupied from 1967-68. This is a very extraordinary issue worth capable $500 USD.

The evolution of 557XX, Type III jacket-patches. Notice how the label get's smaller at the close of the 1960s, and notice the care label connected the 70s labels. Image via Midwest Vintage.

6. Does IT have a matchless-digit stamp on the backside of one or more buttons?

If yes, then it's likely to be an young example. Entirely jackets have a stamp on the backside of one or more of the buttons, and trusty vintage Levi's jackets unremarkably have one- or two-digit stamps as opposed to the tierce-digit stamps found on later examples.

Later stamps indicated the manufacturing plant in which the item was produced. E.g. 555 indicates the Valencia St Mill, San Francisco which was in use from 1906-2002. Common 3 digit stampings are 524, 558, 555, 554, and are commonly found along LVC reproductions.

"555" stamp on a Type II LVC jacket. Image via eBay.

Notice the stamps "0", indicating the authenticity of this early 60s Typewrite III-jacket crown. Effigy via Long John.

With the higher up tools, you should be healthy to somewhat accurately date your jacket Type III jacket crown if not to the precise year, past at least get an approximation of its worth and consequently make for it to a collector to deal. Many collectors can severalize much more by touching and spirit the jacket and inspecting the denim for imperfections associated with vintage looms. Unusual details like the train of thought (older weave beingness cotton, then replaced with poly-blend), rivets, etc. backside also help hone in happening a date, but that all gets slightly complex to determine from photos.

Case II Jacket crown (1953-1962)

A killer vintage Type II jacket. Acknowledge the short and box-shaped fit. Image via Long John.

Before the Type III, there was a style called 507XX, as wel known equally the Typewrite II. If you have an authentic Type II jacket it'll pull in 'tween $800 – $1,500 USD happening eBay. General characteristics include:

• Two chest pockets
• Bag flap
• Selvedge inside placket
• Knife pleats
• Bar tacks alternatively of rivets, happening pockets under flaps
• Rivets on cuff vents
• Leather tag (beginning editions, and then replaced aside press card)
• Iron buttons (eloquent color)
• Stake waist tabs, no piece of cake-back

The design of the Type II didn't diverge importantly throughout the course of its issue. The closest marker of its date is the patch recording label.

Leather label happening a Levi's Vintage Clothing repro 1953 Type Cardinal denim jacket. Image via End.

If the label remains, and IT's made of leather past your jacket is an early issue of the Eccentric II jacket. Sometime in the 50s these leather labels were replaced with press card labels as found happening the later Type III jackets. If you have a leather mark up issue it's older and Charles Frederick Worth more money.

Look out for fakes or reproductions sold as vintage!

An authentic vintage Type II jacket crown should feature:

• Red Lozenge should have a stylemark "R" and piece of writing on both sides
• The main thread color should beryllium lemon yellow.
• One- or two-digit pigeonhole on the tooshie of buttons*
• Authentic wear to the denim
• Selvedge inside breast placket (and simply there!)
• Tally should be scant and boxlike (non modern)

Tailored Type II jacket. Notice the writing on both sides of the Red Tab. Image via Long John.

*If it has a three-digit stamp along the inside of a button, e.g. "555", the jacket is an LVC reproduction and should be oversubscribed as such. These are noneffervescent polite jackets, but they're no accumulator's pieces.

Character I Jacket (1905-1952)

Image via eBay.

Levi's introduced the 506XX Blouse operating theatre Type I to the market in 1905  Eastern Samoa the first jacket in the XX-range. There are many speculations on what "XX" actually denotes, including the pregnant unsanforized or unseeable rivets, so I wanted to clear this up for the people in doubt with a inverted comma from Levi's own website:

"In 1873, Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis first introduced their classic blue jean. However, by 1890 their exclusive patent for riveted vesture had expired, meaning that opposite companies could use the same construction. In response to this impending competition, Levi Strauss & Co. printed the inside pocket bag with information well-nig the garment's originality and spear carrier strong blue jean — referred to as "XX" (…) Made with XX denim from the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company, the 501® Denim fabric remained at the head of the class and set a new standard for American workwear."

The 506XX blouse was referred to every bit number one from 1917 forrader, and the epithet was changed from "blouse" to "jacket" in their 1938 Midwestern catalogue, Gallant Ranch Duds. Levi's made a total of 6 versions of this jacket crown, datable respectively:

1. 1905 – Original issue
2. 1928 – Scoop flap introduced
3. 1936 – Ruby-red Tab introduced, but without "R" and "LEVIS" only on one side
4. 1941 – Pocket flap removed during WWII, donut buttons introduced etc.
5. 1944 – Pushover-aft slider introduced
6. 1947 – Bag flapping reintroduced

If you are in the unlikely situation that you own one of the above-mentioned jackets, then it's worth much of money. When information technology comes to price though, age is not always the most important divisor. Rare, unusual issues, equivalent those from WWII are sometimes higher priced than those from the 1930s. But regardless of its exact age, if these characteristics sum up your jacket, I'd suggest you undergo it to a vintage expert to have it appraised.

The position of the pleats and the shape of the pocket fuss changed o'er the old age, amongst other things like the fit. General characteristics admit:

• One left chest pocket
• Riveted pockets and cuff vents
• Knife pleats
• Selvedge detail inside the front placket
• Cinch back / warp back at lower center back as anti to waist tablet buttons on the Type II & III

If these characteristics sum up your jacket, so I'd suggest you take it to a vintage expert to rich person estimated and looked at, it's most likely worth over $1,000. But below are both questions to help you further determine the engagement of your jacket crown.

1. Does IT have a bronze cinch back slipper?

Bronze slider cinch-back along late 40s Lev's jacket. Image via eBay.

If your jacket has a bronze cinch back slider, as opposed to a silver one (early silver ones had pin dentition instead), then IT's later than the 1944 issue when metal was being rationed by the US government due to WWII. The bronze slider buckles were also used afterward the war ended, until the walkover bet on was replaced with waist tab adjuster buttons on the Type II pattern in 1953. If it has a flatware buckle (slider operating theater pin dentition) instead, then skip to step 4.

2. Does it have a pocket flap?

1947 issue of a Levi's 506XX (Type I) jacket with an Indian embroidery on the back. Slider hind buckle, Levi's buttons equally we know them from today and patina-ed fades.

If your jacket has a scoop beat and a bronze child's play back slider, then it's likely to be from the late 1940s (possibly 1947) when the warfare was over, and the pocket flap reintroduced along with the chromatic cinch back slider. This was the finish way out of the Type I jacket.

3. Does it have coloured (iron) doughnut buttons?

Laurel leaf-doughnut button on a WWII-issue of a Lev's 506XX (Type I) Jacket. Envision via eBay.

When American manufacturers rationed metal for WWII, casting a button with a hole in the middle (referred to as a "sinker push button") misused importantly less material. Whatsoever donut buttons were embroidered with a laurel leaf design which is a symbolisation of peace and triumph of the earthborn intent, few were stamped with signature Levi's, and some were bare.

4. Does IT feature a silver slider with pin dentition?

LVC 1936 Type I repro jacket backmost cinch. Image via A Courting of Tools.

If your jacket has a articulate slider with pin dentition, and the features from stairs 1, 2 and 3 – then your jacket is identical likely the 1941 issue. If not, it's from 1936 or earlier.

5. Does it have a pocket flap, silver immobilize teeth cinch-back and criterional Levi's buttons?

If your jacket crown has a pocket undulate, silver bowling pin dentition pushover-back and standardised Levi's-stamped buttons (Eastern Samoa we know them from today), then your jacket is from 1936 or earlier.

6. Does it consume a Levi's Red Chit?

As previously mentioned, the Loss Tab was introduced in 1936 to combat copyright issues. The 1936 issue of the 506XX, Typewrite I jacket, was the first with a Red Tab. And then if you bear a tab and the features mentioned in step 5, then you likely have a 1936 issue. If there isn't a Carmine Tab (check if it's maybe fallen inactive), you might have an even rarer issue from 1928.

7. Does it have a slightly get down placed left pocket with nary pocket flap and none signs of a Red Tab (and does it look extremely old and battered)?

If this is the case, then you might be the lucky possessor of the prototypical issue of the ill-famed 506XX Blouse. According to Levi's Guide , buttons from 1902-1928 were black doughnut buttons stamped with "Levi Johann Strauss & Co." and no country of origin (S.F. Cal.)

The closest affair I could find to a 1905 issue of the Levi's 506XX Blouse. Image via Google.

Bear in mind that Levi's did infix another and slightly cheaper line of jackets, called Lot 213, that didn't make utilise of the signature XX-denim. They had a very similar design and are likewise extremely sought after by collectors.

For example, last year a 20s-30s variation was sold on eBay for $3,000 USD. Without the recording label present, it would be demanding to tell these jackets apart without being healthy to feel the weight of the blue jean in real life.

Excerpt from a Japanese book on Levi's, here showing an example of the Lot 213-line. Image via Pinterest.

If you've come this far then you'Ra either the lucky owner of a museum piece of clothing, operating theatre you're just really involved in the questionable historical facts found on the internet surrounding Saint Matthew the Apostle's and their origins.

Regardless of your motives, if you acknowledge more than I brawl, delight comment away, and we wish be happy to include you and your noesis in the post to obtain the most accurate descriptions of the jackets.

As mentioned in the introductions, a lot of these facts are based happening other accumulator's findings and translated from other languages. These sources humble their knowledge along their respective research and are non approved by Levi's themselves. However, we hope they are ministering in your search.

Where Do You Find the Product Number on a Levi Jean Jacket?

Source: https://www.heddels.com/2016/10/how-to-date-and-value-vintage-levis-type-i-ii-and-iii-denim-jackets/

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