posted on October 9, 2000 10:18:57 AM
Is there one certain thing to look for to identify old Levi or Wrangler Jeans? I see lots of jeans at the salvation army store, yard sales, etc. but I dont know if they are old or not and if they have any value. If there is a book on this subject let me know where to get it or a web site that can help me. Thanks
posted on October 9, 2000 10:53:52 AM
Do a search on Yahoo or other search engine. I believe I saw something on this subject regarding Levis. I think they actually have a museum.
posted on October 9, 2000 11:17:39 AM
I'm no jeans expert--but I am pretty old and I've worn Levi's boot cut jeans for most of my years. I believe real levis have rivets, double-stitching with orange/red thread--and a nifty little orange/red "Levis" tag sewn into the seam of the right hand side rear pocket. The also say "Levis" on the metal button above the fly zipper. The boot-cuts are getting hard to find. Boot-cuts are style #517. Lately I've had to settle for #505--straight leg and I'm wondering if the boot-cuts have been discontinued.
cybercat
--
What if the Hokey Pokey really is what it's all about?
posted on October 9, 2000 02:33:21 PM
Katybeth-If you go to www.Farley.com, they have all the information you need to learn how to find old jeans. They do this because they buy jeans from people, and they want you to go to the thrift stores, find the jeans and sell them to them. They have a very large market in Japan, the people over there pay ridiculous prices for old Levi's. I have sold some redlines for 100.00 a piece. They have a list of some of the stuff they look for and its free for the information, they do also have a membership where you can get better prices for stuff and more detailed info. But anything you can find for them, you can sell yourself on eBay and usually do pretty good, although some of the vintage stuff is worth alot of money and you can get better prices with Farley.
posted on October 9, 2000 11:35:43 PM
Look for the Big E "LEVIS" on the little red tab on the pocket. You won't have much luck finding these at thrift stores. I found some at the salvation army. 3 Jackets and 1 pair of jeans. The jackets were priced at $225 ea. and the jeans were $175.
Edited to add: Forgot to say that except for one, these jackets and the jeans were in terrible condition lots of wear and some had holes.
[ edited by outoftheblue on Oct 10, 2000 11:04 PM ]
posted on October 10, 2000 10:44:21 PM
On levi's there also the redline, which may have faded with time. If you turn up the cuff, there is a white selvage with a faint red line through it.
Also there is double stitching and single stitching--I forgot which one is older.
If you find a pair with hidden rivets, the big E, and button fly, you are looking at a pre 1953 pair worth big bucks.
I'm far from being an expert, so I recommend checking with a reputable denim dealer.
A friend of mine found a hidden rivet pair of jeans at a yard sale for $3.00 and sold them on ebay for $1500. Check your estate sales, many of the attendees are looking for pottery, glass, and will pass up clothing.
posted on October 10, 2000 10:57:00 PM
A friend of mine went spelunking(sp), he collects mining stuff, and found a pair of old Levi's all rolled up. He sold them to a private collector for $10,000!
I remember him telling me to also look at the zipper pull tab. They have different manufactor marks that help date the jeans. The really old ones have rivets in the crotch area.
