As you may all know, it’s not easy to find a thing with no complain, no compromise, or no excuse especially in the vintage world….but this is sort of such a thing to me (design-wise).

It’s been fixed on my apartment wall for quite some time now.  Before this one,  a clock on the wall was always changing…

I still keep my eyes on better clock for that wall, but there is no luck for at least 15 years now. (Takeshi)

ULTIMA 15  aluminum ashtray from Denmark (1960~70s).

Beautifully timeless, borderless design….generous, inviting.

 Go great with almost any flavor, cool or rustic. ( Takeshi )

Nothing special….or NSG…..but that’s what it takes( is my English OK? ).

Practically, it is a basic work jacket from 1940s back when everybody started seriously considering cutting cost.

So all the patterns and details are contributing towards one thing…productivity.

Yet, by mistake or accident or magic, this jacket fits me really good, and all the simple designs and cost-cutting details turned out to be working together really well by accidents as well…

(Takeshi)

Most of the examples I’ve seen in person or in photos had snap closure cuffs,  but this example has regular button closure. 

This is the famous (?) “crooked” chest pocket for pocket watch…… up to my knowledge,  this type of  design was used  by only two manufacturers ….BLACKBEAR and SWEET-ORR……for some reason.

These jackets got some  “to-die-for”  details and magic textures which you don’t see everyday…..

And I am sure Mr. Ford agrees….

(Takeshi)

But there are few exceptions.  Loggers in old Darius Kinsey’s photos are really different (to me ).

I saw his photo first time on PARKER advertisement in Japanese magazine, back in mid 80s.

But back then, I did not know the photographer’s name.  The photo only left a mark in my memory.

Here’s the one.

Later my friend Atsushi from SUNTRAP (a great vintage store in JP )  told me that was Darius Kinsey’s.

Then I ordered two books…..

These almost 100 year-old  photos are really incredible, yet what they wear, how they wear, how they appear(!) is also striking.

 Their outfits ( and their attitude or aura ) are  significantly different from say, farmer, mechanic, factory worker, construction worker and others I’ve seen in old photos.

They wear 5 pocket (Levi’s or variants) Jean or Logger Jean ( cut like dungarees but in heavier denim and rivetted ) or double Logger pants with Logger boots for their bottoms( the guys in overalls are train related ).  Wearing ( mostly pullover ) work shirts, denim railroad jackets, Logger jackets and Cruiser jackets, sometimes layering these jackets together…and on top of  it, Cruiser hats.

I see eternity and serenity in them…

By the way, on the last photo, Harrison Ford on the 2nd right on first row is boasting his near-mint BLACBEAR railroad jacket! (Takeshi)

This is the first time I bought them in box, thanks to newly opened Duane Reade around the block.

I especially love its back…their advertisement…its really warm and laid-back and American.

Reminds me NABISCO products in 60s an 70s.(Takeshi)

LEE, 1910s.   80/100 on my design scale.

OSH KOSH, 1920s.  90/100.

CARHARTT’S, 1910s.  85/100.

promotion item from an old LEE dealer, 1920s.  92/100 for great illustration sans color…

(Takeshi)

Later I searched and found out these are part of the “SEIKO SPIRIT Power Design Project”.

It reminds me the cream of vintage ‘60~70s OMEGA caliber-sort of fusion of their Flightmaster and Speedsonic.

SEIKO did not really add any other noticeable ingredients, yet end result is somewhat tasty on their own…

(Takeshi)

But this one may be the coolest.

Good Luck!!! (Takeshi)

Peace! (Takeshi)