Dr_Heech

I also have a few originals, which are short (23.5" from collar seam to waist!).

1960's Lee100J 'westerner

And a late 1950's-early 60's Lee 101LJ 'stormrider'

Beautifull early embriodered tag..

and....

His 'n' Hers !

My Wife's jacket has a slightly earlier tag

but with no registered trademark, just 'T' for trademark.

And finally, comparison of wool blanket linings..

I have the same problem with my LVC jackets (hence their getting sold). How much longer are the Lee jackets in the body, overall?

-Jake

Only a couple of inches, but that's only on this one and the 1944 wartime model, of which I once owned. The important thing for me is they aren't so boxy as the 506xx/213, more of a fitted cut. Mine is a 42", but I take a 44-46. I bought it in 2002 - I got a guy in Japan to buy it and send it to me.

Here's my current line up.

Unfortunately, most Levi's jackets, including the Lvc repros, are too short for my long top-half. I've owned a few, but I'm a Lee man at heart.

1934 Lee 101J

heres the original turn of the 20th century

Great buckle, more practical and the rust on the steel adds some extra 'authenticity'. I've seen these pics before when I originally trawled through this thread, Now that's what I call commitment ( I made a buckle out of an old coat hanger for a pair of '36 Lee repros once)

Great jeans, Dr H. I do like the cotton duck.. but I agree that buckle is a real pain, I sold my '1873' jeans cause they kept fallng down my ass, and my 1901 are nearly as bad.

Thanks Paul,

also the length of the backstrap on the 1901's doesn't help - short/chunky. It seems every repro model year Lvc has made differs. I love the backstrap lengths on the 1880's (knappave) and the 1917's. These are definately the two older varieties which I plan to wear at some point. At present I'm donning my 1927's - they are ok, but I've had to make two adjustments (pocket stitching and backstrap shortening) because they couldn't be realisticlly 'cinched' when wearing. I've had a bit of a nightmare with these actually, they are the third pair I've had....

Yeah its a great collection. Man check out the different shades on those 55s. Are the darkest pair from 05?

That's right, The dark ones in the top right are 555's, the left ones are 554's (slightly lighter) but those two at the bottom are both the heavier gauge editions, one a 36/36, the other a 38/36. Really dark, and stiff as a board ! - Both from 2005.

I'd very much like to see the 44's worn in - do you have any pairs you wore in or are they still deadstock?

Very nice collection.

-Jake

Used to have a pair of worn in 44's (555). I dont have much worn in at present. Last year I was still wearing my 55's (555), 37's (643M), and 1901's (643M) - but alas they have been sold to ebay, as I was desperate to break in some others which I have recently bought, plus the pocket linings get worn out.

I have several I plan to wear/break in, including my 1944's (shirt material pocket lining editions from 2005), but that will take many years... Will defo post ongoing pics of current wearers..

^^ Your duck collection is amazing! Dont you wear any of em?

I have had two pairs of the duck pants, one a 34 and one a 36, but they didnt stay up right due to the IMO crappy buckle. Both have gone now, to ebay. The waistcoat is awesome, I may don it one day. The coat is weird, a copy of an 1873 hunting jacket. You wouldn't want to wear it - it only has a button at the top (meant to be worn with the other two items, whilst on horseback, apparently...)

that collection is so amazing,

the duck family, great and i really wish i could get a hold of the 213 jacket.

any fit pics?

It's a tad snug, but it's one wash - which is how I bought it. Would love a deadstock 48 (xl). Will try and get the wifey to take some pics soon.

Is yours a 44?

I have that 213 denim jacket as well. I bought it on ebay, new, for $9.99. I think the seller had it listed wrong. I have not soaked it, but right now it fits about right and I wouldn't like it to shrink too much. What is the shrinkage you saw. One full size down as usual?

Hi, mine is a size 44" one wash, and that's how I bought it. Would love to buy a size 48 (xl) in unwashed, with or without tags. Anyone??

Are you using the IMG code from photobucket?

Once you've uploaded you photos, and they're vistible on photobucket, simply copy and paste the code in that 'Image code' box, the 4th one down, and bob's yer uncle.

Here's a photo of Jane Birkin, just to make sure it works...

Many thanks Paul, and of course... thank you Jane (Grrr...)

Many Thanks Paul. Ok, here goes... some of my Levis collection, which has taken me about ten years to accumulate.

The duck family...

Comparison of colours from the1873 duck pant and the 1901 duck pant...

1929 213 jacket (one wash) 822 stamp...

I will have to re-do some of the other pics again. Sorry, I'm new to this photobucket malarky..

those 1917s look incredible, I think those are going to be my next purchase (unless those cone 1915s come out). How do they fit? how were the measurements? they look really dark and the denim looks real interesting. thanks for posting the pics.

Does anyone know more about these upcoming 1915 cone jeans? There is a marked difference between the 1901's and the 1917's, but what (if any) differences will there be between jeans originally made two years apart?

If anyones interested here are some detailed shots of the 1917s I jsut got from Dejan. I ordered them on Monday and they came this AM.

It also came with a bag and a book in a bag...

Airfrog, I have these, great jeans. Also loving your 1880 knappave fit-pics (SOo many jeans to break in..so little time). Two questions: Why are your photos so superb, and 2: How do you upload them onto this site? I've tried photobucket, but just end up with a box with a red 'x' in it !

I got that book with my 44's as well. It smells terrible.

Ha Ha Haa... That is such a spot on observation!

those 1917s look incredible, I think those are going to be my next purchase (unless those cone 1915s come out). How do they fit? how were the measurements? they look really dark and the denim looks real interesting. thanks for posting the pics.

Those 1917's are awesome. I bought some two weeks ago from Aeroleather. My waist is 34, but I got Will from aero to measure a pair in my size - I ended up with a 32 waist, which measures 35! Luckily they will be perfect after the initial tub soak and 1st wash. The rise is really high but the fit is great, and the quality is fantastic! (The book is a bonus too)

If it's authenticity you're after, 555s are clearly INFERIOR, no worse LVC replicas have ever been made than at Valencia St.

A bold statement indeed.

Firstly, in my defence, my opinions are simply based on comparing replica items that I have in my collection.

Secondly, I agree that not ALL Lvc models produced at Valencia st. are superior to models made from 2003 onward. But with certain items I have had, the quality of 'finish', both in construction and the material itself is significantly different.

Obviously I dont have every single model produced from every season, but just look a pair of 201's made in 1999, and compare them to the 2005 edition.

If I was after authenticity, I wouldn't buy a replica, I would simply sell my house and buy an original pair from Marvin's or the like.

?????????????????

Sorry dude, having trouble with this photobucket malarky. Cant find an IMG code for each image. Get back to you all soon...

THey don't all have the silver thread, partiuclarly the early ones - there have been several examples posted here .

That's interesting. Does that also apply to the button stamp? There seems to be two types: the first looks similar to this - 555, the second is a slimmer/staighter three digit 555.

Also, I have a 557xx jacket from 1997 which has the usual wash tag, but blank button backs (it's definately legit!)

I'll have to go back and check the labels now for silver thread !

i guess the 233 stamp will become scarce but not necessarily 'collectable'.

i believe the San Antonio factory was the last Levi's owned and therefore holds a certain curiosty.

I agree. But I dont think either will become collectable as IMO the quality did change significantly after the Valencia st. factory shut down. I have three items from the San Antonio factory - the quality IS good, but it still falls short of the 555's.

BTW, although I love my 1927's, IMO the 233M stamp will never become collectable due to poor quality and historical inaccuracy!!

SOunds right, according to rumour the company is Caitac.

Thanks for that. So I guess if Taylor Togs has shut down, the Lvc items with the 233M stamp are now to become scarce, similar to the 554 stamped items from 2003 (San Antonio factory)?

jake, I have a 507 just like that- no XX. Are the buttons stamped 822? If so, what year is it from? The inner tag (not the leather one) in mine is long gone. Anyone know what factory 822 designates? I assume it's after the San Antonio plant closed.

Bijan,

I have a 1929 Levis 213 repro jacket, which has a Valencia st. factory type inner label with 822 dated 12/99, made in USA. The reverse of the button is also stamped 822. (years ago, when Dejan (Cultizm) had just an Ebay shop, I bough a pair of 1873 1st blue jeans from him, which also had the same 822 on the inner tag and button).

I have always associated the 822 stamp with pre-2003 Lvc ...The quality of the material/construction of the jacket is identical to the pair of 201's stamped 555 that I have. Therefore I believe the 822 marked jeans and jackets must have been made in the USA at the same time Valencia st. was producing stuff. Where about's is another mystery...

Paul, I've given a list of my post 555 jeans, earlier in this thread, with booklet dates, inside tag #'s (643M), and top button #'s or letters. I think it's interesting to note the changeover seems to be 2004 - If you take the 1933's, spring 04 has 'R' on the top button, whereas fall 04 has a blank. Also, every season after also has blank on the reverse on the top button. Maybe the US Lvc continued to have 'R' marked on the buttons until 2006/7? Is this something that could be confirmed by Taylor Togs?

Paul

Also, from which factory does the button stamp: 233M (my 1927's) and button stamp: 4170 (1917's) come from? Or are these non-US factories?

Sorry to go on...

Paul, I've given a list of my post 555 jeans, earlier in this thread, with booklet dates, inside tag #'s (643M), and top button #'s or letters. I think it's interesting to note the changeover seems to be 2004 - If you take the 1933's, spring 04 has 'R' on the top button, whereas fall 04 has a blank. Also, every season after also has blank on the reverse on the top button. Maybe the US Lvc continued to have 'R' marked on the buttons until 2006/7? Is this something that could be confirmed by Taylor Togs?

Ok Paul, glad to be of some help, especially as you are deemed 'the knowledge' on this site!

Here goes... my Lvc Levis jeans, apart from my 1927's + 1917's,(previously mentioned) :-

1880, there is no booklet, but - s1 08, 643M on inside label

1886, booklet says s/s 05, 643M on inside label

1890, " " s/s 05, 643M " " "

1901, " " fall 04, 643M " " " (R on top button)

1929, " " s/s 05, 643M " " " (..the ones they messed up, with the 'diamonds' on the arcuates)

1933, " " spring 04, 643M " " " (R on top button)

1933, " " fall 04, 643M " " " (no # on button!)

1944, " " s/s 05, 643M " " "

1944, " " fall 03, NO 643M on inside label, 554 on top button

1955 " " fall 03, " " " " " , 554 on top button

1955 x 2 " " s/s 05, 643 on inside label

I also had a pair of 1901's and a pair of 1937's , from Cinch, purchased in 2004, both with 643M on the top button! Both were sold last year. All the rest are 555, valencia street made, apart from my 1901'duck' overalls which were made in turkey and have no real identification numbers to speak of ( Christ, I'm a real denim- geek)

Hope this helps?

Hopefully get some photos on next week (.. a fair bit to go on! )

p.s.can I list my lvc jackets here too?