Hi all! Here's an adorable sweater and label that has so far defied identification. Possibly this is a novelty label- but what does that mean? Can anyone lead me to information about this beauty? It was a thrift store find in Tampa Florida about 30 years ago and I'm finally ready to pass it on. But I'd like to be able to adequately describe and price it beyond "red Orlon sweater"... Thanks ....
Orlon is a DuPont brand name for Acrylic, I think in use since they first developed acrylic in 1941. I found one reference to Playpar from 1962, a trade ad saying "THE PERFECT FOLLOW-THRU ... DiFini Originals is proud to announce the consolidation of the Golf Shirt operations of Playpar Sportwear under a new and separate company, known as DiFini Knitwear, Ltd. Under the direct supervision of DiFini Originals, Knitted Shirts and Sweaters for Men and Knitted Shirts and Tailored Blouses for Lady Golfers will be styled under the DiFini Knitwear label. This will enable you to sell coordinated golfwear, backed up by the fine reputation of the DiFini name." So presumably this shirt is earlier than 1962, as they would have branded it DiFini Knitwear after that. DiFini appear to be a golf apparel specialist. This obituary of one of the family says they were based in the Bronx, NY.
Actually looks like although DuPont started work on acrylic in 1941, it didn't go into production until 1950, and was called Orlon then. http://www2.dupont.com/Phoenix_Heritage/en_US/1941_detail.html So this all ties in with Catseye Vintage's date of late 50s to very early 60s, presumably no later than 1962. Yours looks quite similar to the one in the 1962 advert.
Wow-amazing Leonardo! So much great info. I've been digging for several days and have gotten nowhere. That ad is just wonderful. I'll start researching DiFini knitwear and post anything I find here. Thanks so much!
Thank you all for such a great response! I'll post anything new I find out after I follow Leonardo's leads.
Thanks guys. One day I'll have to write a post about my research techniques. All I really do is advanced googling, but I do often seem find things when others haven't. Orlon is mentioned under Acrylic, but I wonder if it, and other brand names, should have a separate entry, referring and linking to the generic fibre, ie Orlon: DuPont brand name for Acrylic. There are a lot of brand names of course, so this would make the fabric resource much much longer, but each entry would be short. It may be too much work. Often the only the brand name is on the label and not the generic name for the fibre, so it would help research. Though I usually find it fairly easy to find out what fabric a brand name really refers to with a bit googling.
I keep trying to find all the items that need links...that's a good one for sure Ruth! When you say there are a lot of brand names, you aren't fooling! I have a huge list to cover, and hope to do so slowly but surely. For now, I will add an Orlon entry that links to acrylic. (Done; also added Creslan and Acrilan)
