Thursday, July 28, 2011

NOT JUST ANOTHER SHOP COAT .....IT'S A STRONGHOLD SHOP COAT









BROWNSTEIN, DANIEL was a california born  Wholesale Merchant and Manufacturer
Mr. Brownstein spent his early youth in the north of California around Red Bluff , then when the family moved to San Francisco and entered the Boys’ High School, where he was graduated in 1887.
            Shortly after finishing his studies Mr. Brownstein moved and settled permanently in Los Angeles in the latter part of the year 1887.There he was offered a position in the wholesale house of the Jacoby Brothers, pioneer clothiers in Los Angeles, and remained with that firm for eight years......
            With the retirement of the Jacoby Brothers from the wholesale business, Brownstein was determined to take over and then created the firm of :Brownstein, Newmark and Louis.His partners in the venture being Henry W. Louis and P. A. Newmark. The three men were former wholesale clothiers combining their efforts to make the enterprise a success.
Business started in the old Baker Block in LA with one room and a basement as a store. The firm expanded until it required three stores and basements to house its stock. Brownstein’s company added manufacturing to their business around1899.Then, in 1905, the company moved to a new four-story location the department now employing about four hundred people. The company built another plant in 1912 providing employment to a thousand workers.
            On Jan.1911. P. A. Newmark,partner of 15 years, withdrew from the firm, selling his share to Mr. Brownstein and his partner Louis. The business was then incorporated under the style, Brownstein-Louis Company.
Brownstein was member of the Board of Directors of the Los Angeles Chamber of Oils and Mines,chairman of the Committee on Mercantile and also a prominent member of the Los Angeles Merchants and Manufacturers’ Association.
            Mr. Brownstein was one of the leading Masons on the Pacific Coast and was a Knight Commander of the Court of Honor of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry. He was also a member of the Mystic Shriners and of the Native Sons of the Golden West......interesting and intriguing past to say the least 
 
 

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

EARLY 30'S RUBBERIZED CANVAS JACKET






It'll be hard to accurately date this latest find,but some details mad me think it should be early 30's. NEOPRENE  was invented in April 1930 by DUPONT who trade marked the process in 31 under the DUPRENE name .Early examples were famous for a very strong odor and for that were not popular. This jacket is a rare surviving example of what was outdoors clothing "back in the days".a closer examination reveals that the rubber coating of the canvas was hand applied ,probably with a large brush ......

Monday, July 25, 2011

1900's LEVI'S WORKWEAR



I've found this great 8/10 original print yesterday, dated 1903 on the back .Unfortunately nothing else but the writing up front .used a magnifier to check the denims of course and it seems evident that the gang is wearing the "1901" LEVI'S model.What's more interesting is the variety of tops displayed.[double click for details]........

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

BOSS OF THE ROAD "GHOST SIGN " SAN FRANCISCO UP DATE








So i guess that most of you denim guys got the news about this amazing discovery right !!?i went on the site today i tried to shoot some. i must tell you it wasn't a piece o' cake as the guys on the site don't give a shit and kinda tell you they'll kick your ass if you try to take pics did it any way and i'll try to get some more .....

Monday, July 18, 2011

Monday, July 11, 2011

VINTAGE CHILDREN BOOKS FROM THE VAULT ....BOYS WILL BE BOYS


The first Golden Books were published in 1942 by Simon and Schuster in cooperation with the Artist and Writers Guild.
 Initially, twelve different, 24-page, books were published. While the cover art varied, all the books were the same small size, hardbound, with like binding, and priced at 25¢. Golden Books history stretches over 60 years and over two billion Little Golden Books printed!
The success of the first Little Golden Books paved the way for others.In 1941, children’s books normally sold for two or three dollars, which made them a luxury for many families. Little Golden Books were created as an affordable alternative but it also spawned a new market for animation storyboarders, layout artists, animators, color stylists and others to express themselves creatively while earning some money on the side.The list of authors and illustrators involved in Golden Books is impressive and includes myriad of Disney artists too. In 1958, Simon and Schuster sold its interest in Little Golden Books to Western.
Ownership and control of the series has changed several times since. In 2001, Random House acquired Golden Books for about 85 million dollars.
.It's a given that Little Golden Books have captured the hearts of young children and adults.