MORE UPCOMING VINTAGE 1950'S ITEMS FOR SALE

We'll be listing more Vintage items for sale today at our Esty store.  Here's a quick look at what'll be comin' up - vintage 1950's fabric.

Vintage 1950's unused Leopard Print velvet fabric.  Use it to make pillows for your vintage Jungle-themed room, upgrade your vintage Hollywood jacket with leopard insets or front/back yoke or just let your vintage eye go wild.

 

Vintage unused 1950's Diamond / Argyle print Rayon Fabric.  Perfect for a one-off Rockabilly shirt or add pannels to your vintage Hollywood or Ricky Jacket.  Just in time for Viva Las Vegas.

RARE 1950'S HERMAN ENGINEER BOOTS

Brand: Herman Shoes & Boot Co.
Circa: 1950's
Color: Black
Size: 14E
Measurements:
Sole: 13 1/2"
Width: 4 3/4"
Height: 11 1/2"
Sole:  Half-sole Biltrite with Griplug
Hardware: Nickel, Tripple Rivets
Leather: Oil Tanned Cowhide
Condition: Purchased Deadstock without Box
Purchased For: $300 on eBay
 
Finding Engineer Boots in a large size can be somewhat difficult, but finding a pair of rare 1950's deadstock Engineer Boots that fit your size 14-15 feet is complete luck of the draw. The owner didn't know what a prized pair of boots he had when he won them. With little Engineer Boot knowledge, he had always been interested in obtaining a pair and really only picked them up because "they fit and were relatively cheap." What a lucky first find - my first Engineer Boots purchase was a measly pair of Double H's that I picked up in San Jose, CA back in 1991.

These boots were built to last - pictures speak for themselves.  They are beginning to fade into an awesome dark brown color and will definitely look better with age. 

A used pair in size 8 ½ sold for $625 about a year ago. This pair in a size 8 ½ would easily pull in at least $800 and about $1,500, at the most.  I'd drop $1,000 on these if they were a size 8.  Anything more is going into Gretsch guitar purchasing territory.

These were a GREAT find and should be considered priceless for him at this size - keep them and wear them with pride. 

I'd like to thank Jason for sharing his find with me and allowing me to feature it on my blog.

What an attractive classic profile

Not sure if that's a "Toe Track" I see on the right boot

Who said stacked heels were only meant for Cowboy boots?

These were built to never ever require a resole

Why put so much detail into something that is hardly ever seen and will inevitably rub away?  Pride.  American Craftsmanship.

This tag spells quality

UPCOMING VINTAGE CONFETTI ITEMS FOR SALE

Here is a preview of the next set of items I will be listing for sale.  Be sure to keep an eye out for these amazing vintage 1950's Confetti Cat Eye Sunglasses as well as these gorgeous  1950's Confetti Lucite Bracelets

ATTENTION, ELVIS FANS!

The Newseum - Washington D.C.'s most interactive museum - in collaboration with Elvis Presley Enterprises, is preparing an exhibit chronicling the headlines and stardom of the King of Rock and Roll.



Exhibit Highlights
• Rare photographs and original newspapers / magazines covering Presley's career.
• Presley's iconic 1957 Harley-Davidson motorcycle.
• The "American Eagle" jumpsuit and cape Presley wore during rehearsals for his "Aloha From Hawaii" concert in 1973.
• The gold-and-diamond belt presented to Presley in 1969 for breaking Las Vegas attendance records.
• Presley's Gretsch G6122-1962 Chet Atkins Country Gentleman.

So, if you happen to be in the D.C. area after March 19, I highly recommend a visit to the Newseum, on Pennsylvania Avenue, 3 blocks west of the U.S. Capitol and across the street from the National Gallery of Art.

REUPHOLSTERING YOUR VINTAGE FURNITURE

If you are a collector of vintage furniture like my wife and I, you know that not all couches come in a perfect package.  Unless, of course, you're willing to dish out a lot of dough.

That amazing twenty-dollar 1950's chair with holes, two missing legs and a funny odor looks very promising, but just doesn't seem worth all the hassle.  Sound familiar?   For us, this story is all too familiar. 

We've purchased quite a few couches  over the years with every intent of reupholtering them, but at the end of the day they all just "sat" there collecting dust.  It wasn't until my wife had a vision (a vision I wish I possessed) with a vintage 1950's musty, dirty gold couch/chair set she picked up for $300 (on Craigslist, I think).  This was the set to break us out of that procrastination mold.  After quite some time of having them in the house and doing some research on the right business to perform the job, she decided on a place in Long Beach, CA - the name of which escapes me.  The job took about a month and the wait was well worth it.  The material they used wasn't what my wife expected at first, but as can be seen in the photo's they are Pepper tested and Pepper approved.

At the end of the day, we paid $1,200 for the work.  So, if you're considering a project like this be mindful that the $300 couch set is NOT a $300 couch set.

In my opinion, buying vintage is the better way to go as it is made from real wood with quality craftsmanship unlike the pressed wood used in today's furniture.  Also, you're not just buying a piece of furniture, you're investing in art as well as a piece of history. 

We've had another set of chairs reupholstered from the same place using our own deadstock 1950's upholstery and will provide information on them in a seperate post.

Before

MY NEW GUITAR IS FINALLY HERE!!!

My long, long awaited custom Rockabilly guitar finally arrived today!!!  My wife placed the order for my Christmas gift sometime mid-December and after over two months of anticipation, my weekend plans have been set aside in order to play with my new "Toy."  I haven't posted a video of me playing a guitar (or upright bass) on You Tube for some time now, so this is the perfect excuse...

I don't know who's happier to see the new guitar, Pepper Anne or daddy. Here's Pepper Anne watching Air Buddy's during house renovations and her enjoying (or not) daddy play a little Rockabilly guitar.

VINTAGE BECOMES REALITY

I've collected literally thousands of vintage images ranging from the early 1900 up to the 1950's and there's nothing more exciting than owning something and discovering a photograph over sixty years old showing that exact article of clothing being worn.  Here are a just a couple of examples that hang in my closet.

April 1957 Black Wool Car Club Jacket reversible to black satin

 

NEW ENGINEER BOOT BUCKLES BY HUKUROKUJU

It's only natural that one of the best cobblers out there today with the sincere passion for reviving Engineer Boots created his own buckles.  These are great looking buckles and are offered in both nickel and brass.   I can guarantee that a very small percentage of people are actually mindful of the hardware on Engineer Boots.  This attention-to-detail is indicative of his dedication to his craft.

What this spells out is additional validation for me to send my boots accross the globe to have a pair of my Vintage Engineer Boots re-soled and re-buckled by none other than Takeshi Okuyama of  Hukurokuju.

If you haven't already discovered his website, make sure you set aside a few hours as you can get lost in the beauty of all the boots.  Good luck.  Oh...don't forget to check out his dog, "Angus." 

BESPOKE LONE WOLF ENGINEER BOOTS

I've always considered Lone Wolf Engineer boots to be one of the best current-day boots around for the money (Lone Wolf's, are they worth it?). During my perpetual search for the most aesthetically pleasing Engineer Boots, I came across these fly-under-the-radar boots that are now all sold out. As I've covered before on a previous post, a metamorphosis of sorts occurs in some boot leather that, over the years, turns black boots into a gorgeous two-tone brown and dark brown. Toys McCoy produced a similar pair that also flew under that radar.

These limited production Lone Wolf's were offered at under $600.00. At first glance, the off-white pair don't appear too pleasing, but imagine how they would look after heavy use. I'm disappointed at the missed opportunity to own these boots.

Made with Cat's Paw Soles, Goodyear heels, Good Year Welt, stacked heels and Cowhide leather.

Original Lone Wolf Engineer Boots

1948 INDIAN MOTORCYCLE CAP "CHIEFTAIN"

We all know these as just "Motorcycle Caps", but what I didn't know was these caps were actually named.  This one in particular is what Indian called the "Chieftain" Riding Cap back in 1948.

MY NEW SELLING PLATFORM: ETSY

I've been buying and selling on eBay now since February 1999 under the name Rockabilly4 and as much as I'd love to continue, I really can not find it within myself to agree with the exorbitant fees that have surfaced over the years. There are listing fees, final value fees, re-listing fees and, of course, image hosting fees.  You name it, eBay has found a way to charge a fee for it.

I imagine that these fee's are acceptable for full-time sellers, as there is really no other alternative, but for someone like myself who only sells part-time, it has become a bit overwhelming and takes the fun out the whole experience. I mean, really, it's more of a hobby for me than anything. That said, I'm going to start offering my items on the new Etsy store I've created with the same namesake as this blog.

Nothing will change with regard to my selling practices - I have over 1,265 unique feedbacks (1,470 total - of 24 Feb 10) with a 99.4% rating. Why, do you ask, is my rating not at 100%? Well, that is left by the few newbie's that thought an immediate negative feedback was appropriate rather than trying to work out anything they weren't pleased with. I pride myself on an enjoyable transaction for both buyer and seller.
 
Hope you find what you're looking fore as I'll be selling vintage 1940, 1950's and other vintage things I've collected over the past 19 years.
 
Here is my very first item on Etsy - be sure to visit often as I will be listing much more throughout the week.
 

http://www.etsy.com/shop/vintageengineerboots

OUR HOME

These are just a few rooms my wife whipped together in our last home.  I guess you can say she has an affinity for Moss Lamps and Carlo Paintings.  We've purchased and sold so very many of these paintings and lamps over the years. 

Guest bedroom. 

Guitar room. 





















Reading area of the livingroom. 

1913 BROWN'S BEACH SHAWL COLLAR JACKET

Well, at least what our freinds in Japan envisioned a jacket to look like back then as this style of Brown's Beach was never actually produced.

I was in the spending mood tonight and was going to order this jacket when, after about thirty minutes of searching, I realized everyone is sold out.  The way I see it, that is approximately $750 towards something else - now to figure out what else to buy.  Man, what a great jacket!!  A week or two ago I would've been the proud owner of this jacket - you snooze, you lose.

EARLY 1900'S WORK BOOTS

Brand: Endicott - Johnson
Circa: "1915-1920's"
Color: "Dark Brown" with patina, but probably started off as black
Size: "10"
Measurements:
Sole: 11 3/4"
Width: 4"
Height: 17"
Sole: Leather
Hardware: Patina Brass
Leather: "Horsehide"
Condition: "Fine"
Sold For: $316.11
Site: eBay
Seller: cummer-snider

Here is a nice looking pair of early workwear boots at a pretty decent price.  There is no doubt in my mind these boots would have sold for much more if they were just five inches shorter and about one to two sizes smaller.  Really, what do you do with boots this tall nowadays - unless your riding a motorcycle or REALLY working in them.  These boots would make great riding PPE (personal protective equipment).  From a 1933 Montgomery Ward and Company catalog, there is a very similar pair of boots that would've been a great proof-source for the seller and, perhaps, would've raised the final sale price.

1933 Montgomery Wards Catalog