1969-73 Deadstock ‘Big E’ Levi’s 501 

Deadstock 501’s dating from 1969-73. These came from the infamous denim hunter Brit Eaton who got these from an old store in Durango, Colorado called Hogans. They were found in the basement after they closed down in december 2010 after 82 years in business! (the 3 old employees had a combined 160 years experience working there.) Although completely unwearable as they are tiny I love the history and feel of old dead stock denim, repro jeans dont even come close to the real thing. These date from 1969-73 and are the last ‘Big E’ generation 501’s (no matchpocket selvage and modern patch.) oh and back then they were priced at $13.45! 

$13.45 in ballpoint pen on tag. Copyright 1966 

Big E

Around the late 60’s ‘Care Instructions Inside Garment’ appeared which went through to the 80’s.

Here are the ‘care instructions’ stamped on the pocket, this eventually turned into a little tag sewn in sometime in the mid 70’s

Top button stamped 6 -“Route 66”

60’s silver rivets

Manufacturers used to scrawl codes on the denim that you can only see on deadstock pieces, back pocket has this too.

single stitch back pockets with the hand written scrawl.

Vintage stiff and ‘hairy’ denim, dont make them like that anymore…

Classic redline selvage denim