help dating/cleaning? horsehide jacket

eel

eel

Registered Guest
I found this old horsehide motorcycle jacket at a flea market last weekend. I sell at a big flea market that has US and Japan buyers interested old motorcycle wear so I plan to try it first out there.

it is in better condition than my old camera shows, leather is strong and soft, padded elbows, shoulders and quilted lining. The only problem is the zippers (original all working TALON) have some green patina and some seems to flake off.
I really like the look of the patina but should I try to clean it? and how would I go about it?

also any clue on a date?
I have had a dealer tell me a price range I should put on it but any guesses? Ebay seems low right now.

Thanks! I don't deal in too much men's wear, it seems harder to find than women's

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Those old horsehide jackets can do VERY well!

I have one around here somewhere I keep meaning to do something with -- I have a lot of Japanese buyers out here in SoCal, too -- but right now they don't even seem to be looking at jackets. Hopefully they will as the weather here cools down!

As for the zipper.. hmmmmm... I'd probably take a toothbrush to it. Maybe with a little bit of cleaner or vegetable oil? I"m sure someone else has a better idea, though!

Anyway -- dating stuff like this is hard for me! This one is a racer style jacket -- and based on almost nothing, I'd say 50's or early 60's. Definately intended for a motorcycle, with all that extra padding -- very unusual in style, so it might do very well.
If it were mine, at a market I'd price it around $200. You know how that works, though -- you may or may not get it.
 
Originally posted by Elsewhere
I have a lot of Japanese buyers out here in SoCal, too -- but right now they don't even seem to be looking at jackets. Hopefully they will as the weather here cools down!
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Hey we are nearly neighbors, I live in OC and sell at Rose Bowl
 
haha! I live in the city of Orange!
I HAVE sold at Rose Bowl -- although not since January. It's just so far and the temps so extreme sometimes!
I do sell regularly at Long Beach Veteran's Stadium -- and we also have several spaces in a local antique mall.
 
While the labels do look older to me, I believe this is 50's or 60's. The term "cafe racer" and the resulting stripped down style of jacket didn't happen until then.

It's a fab jacket - you should do REALLY well with it - especially if it's a larger size! Heck, if it were black and a smaller size I'd be thinking about buying it for myself.

Susan
 
well just a quick update...
word got around a few dealers I know, who told a "leather guy" (shoot i am so bad at names but he deals in vintage leathers) and he was waiting in my spot when I got to the flea market.
I sold it for $380 before the sun even came up. I knew not too many Japanese buyers made the trip this month and I need $ now so I took the deal. The guy came back later to thank me and a girl who has a vintage shop said "wow you must have given him a great deal if he came back to thank you" but another dealer said he just wants you to think of him if you come across another.
so, Kristine, if you find yours...
also I hit old town for some 20's looking stuff for a photo shoot and picked up a couple sale items from your booth, small world huh. I got some gold pumps and a black halter jumpsuit that fits me great, I love it! so Thanks!
I also got a pair of long gloves (from another booth) and the sales woman (or is that the owner) must have dropped it bagging the stuff so I only had one for the shoot the next day, I was so mad, and I still have to go back to pick it up, grrrrr
 
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