SH Archive Oldest pairs of Levis dating to before 1880's discovered in mine

[Archive]

This guy explores old mines with many dating back to the 1800s (of which many haven't been entered since the day they were closed). His latest adventure he made the discovery of a lifetime, by finding several pairs of Levi jeans dating from before 1880. Which makes them the oldest pairs of Levi jeans known to still exist!

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Previously the oldest pair know to exist was from the 1890's, worth $80,000:

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I thought some of you would find this topic to be of interest. Cheers!

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[Magnus]

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Username: MagnusOpus
Date: 2020-02-02 10:20:46
Reaction Score: 7

two thoughts....

the condition of those is incredible
would have to be a huge dude to fit them

 

[Archive]

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Username: jd755
Date: 2020-02-02 12:44:54
Reaction Score: 2

How does one put a date of manufacture on clothing?
I always thought the first Levi's were made of hemp, but stand to be corrected on that.

 

[KD Archive]

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Username: KorbenDallas
Date: 2020-02-02 19:02:20
Reaction Score: 3

would have to be a huge dude to fit them

I did not even think about that. Unless that guy holding pants up is 4 feet tall, this pair of jeans had to be meant for some 8 or 9 foot tall person.

These pants would have to be sealed in some plastic bag to be that preserved.

 

[trismegistus]

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Username: trismegistus
Date: 2020-02-02 19:07:26
Reaction Score: 6

The cynic in me says this is a native ad for Levi’s.

 

[Archive]

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Username: esgee1
Date: 2020-02-03 02:25:44
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Solomon Warner is the name of the guy who wore the huge jeans in the second video. The auctioneer estimates they guy was around 6'6" tall based on the size of the jeans. Here are the only images I could find of Solomon Warner:

Photo / Painting

Based on the painting, he certainly looks to be a "large" man. Apparently the jeans were worn only a few times before his death in 1899 at the age of 88 (1811-1899). That's why they're still in excellent condition.

There's more photos, but I suspect they've never been digitized. I was hoping to find one that would show is height better. According to the Arizona Historical Society there's a box of photographs in storage (that can be accessed without restrictions).

In 1856 he was the first American business trader to permanently occupy Tucson and sell American goods. He was also involved in the creation of the Arizona Territory.

How does one put a date of manufacture on clothing?
I always thought the first Levi's were made of hemp, but stand to be corrected on that.

The method and types of stitching, the type of patches, buttons used, tags, lack of belt loops, etc, all kinds of differences point to the era said apparel was made. In the case of the discovered Levi Jeans there's mention the older ones had only one back pocket.

One of the guy's in the video who has knowledge about the history of Levi Jeans explains and points out the differences on the jeans they pulled up. Starts around 16 minutes in here.

There was a prior video where the Exploring Abandoned Mines guy did a live chat about the Levi Jeans find (as well as his experiences exploring mines, some history on Levi's connection to the gold rush and viewer questions about the jeans too). He mentioned that they involved the media and the company Levi's too about the find and that all the jeans are going to go in a museum.

 

[Archive]

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Username: BrokenAgate
Date: 2020-02-03 03:06:10
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The cynic in me says this is a native ad for Levi’s.

They look awfully new, don't they? How do the researchers know the jeans belonged to this Warner dude? Did his mom sew name labels in his clothes?

 

[Archive]

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Username: esgee1
Date: 2020-02-03 03:08:44
Reaction Score: 1

They look awfully new, don't they? How do the researchers know the jeans belonged to this Warner dude? Did his mom sew name labels in his clothes?

From what I read, apparently his pair of jeans was worn only a few times before his death in 1899 at the age of 88 (1811-1899). That's why they're still in excellent condition. The family kept the jeans, storing them and passing them down through the family.

As for the jeans recently found in the mine, those obviously have wear and tear. Will be interesting to see what those look like once they've been cleaned up.

 

[Archive]

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Username: jd755
Date: 2020-02-03 09:18:33
Reaction Score: 0

The method and types of stitching, the type of patches, buttons used, tags, lack of belt loops, etc, all kinds of differences point to the era said apparel was made. In the case of the discovered Levi Jeans there's mention the older ones had only one back pocket.

So hearsay gives the balance of probability to the agee in the case of these jeans at least. Intriguing.

 

[Archive]

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Username: BrokenAgate
Date: 2020-02-03 15:42:05
Reaction Score: 1

Well, they must have known these jeans would be valuable someday. Why else hang onto a pair of trousers and then pass them to your children and grandchildren, who might not be interested in them at all? Other than collectors of vintage apparel, who needs old clothes cluttering up the house?

 

[Archive]

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Username: esgee1
Date: 2020-02-05 02:03:14
Reaction Score: 1

So hearsay gives the balance of probability to the agee in the case of these jeans at least. Intriguing.

The age of the mine too and the age of the shaft they explored. The year it was last entered by miners, etc. Lots of information to point to the date the jeans would date from.

 

[Deleted member 65]

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Username: PrincepAugus
Date: 2020-02-05 05:12:53
Reaction Score: 1

Not too out there. Fabrics like denim can last a long time due to it being heavy weaves.

 

[Archive]

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Username: jd755
Date: 2020-02-05 17:11:18
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The age of the mine too and the age of the shaft they explored. The year it was last entered by miners, etc. Lots of information to point to the date the jeans would date from.

Point to. Yes I get that things point to but they only point. There is nothing upon or within any form of clothing or fabric that is dateable.
i'm sure the earliest denims or overalls/coveralls were made from redundant canvas sails on account of the fact that once worn in they took all manner of hammer without sigificant wearing. The fabric itself being made from hemp which is again udateable.
Seems to me the dating of clothing has everything to do with making money from the gullible.

 

[Archive]

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Username: BrokenAgate
Date: 2020-02-05 17:15:08
Reaction Score: 5

I think EVERYONE is wrong. These jeans were worn by a Roman soldier. When he wasn't busy subduing the natives, he built a cathedral and did a bit of mining.

 

[Archive]

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Username: Cl4ssyMF
Date: 2020-02-05 21:12:01
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Well, they must have known these jeans would be valuable someday. Why else hang onto a pair of trousers and then pass them to your children and grandchildren, who might not be interested in them at all? Other than collectors of vintage apparel, who needs old clothes cluttering up the house?

the horders got it right!

 

[JWW427]

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Username: JWW427
Date: 2020-02-07 23:14:57
Reaction Score: 1

Are they stretch Levis?
Ive gained weight in my middle age middle.

 

[Archive]

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Username: Hypatia
Date: 2020-07-29 04:33:00
Reaction Score: 1

Well I must say that's cool as sh1t. Giants wore Levi's? I've worn Levi's all my life. They fit decent and tend to have proper pockets.

 

[Whitewave]

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Username: whitewave
Date: 2020-07-31 01:14:59
Reaction Score: 1

Mr. Warner does not look like a miner or someone who would be hanging out in mines. And what was he doing dropping his drawers in the mine? Did he walk home pantsless? Who just leaves their pants laying around?