Tootal - The Company History and its products (ties, scarves etc)

Eddie Derbyshire · May 18, 2015

Esteban68 - Thanks! It's probably the most vibrant Tootal I have apart from a blue, yellow and red paisley 'Standard Quality' I have. The striped cravat is good, but mucky around the neck - I wonder if I could chuck it in the washing machine in a pillowcase?

TT - Yes the two labels are odd really. Are we placing it before or after the white 'Popular Quality' labels? Going by the fact that it's 2" longer, my money is on slightly later. As for the cravat, I really don't know what to reckon. It is perhaps just made to look like it is - diagonal stripes is a nice pattern and there's no reason clubs and regiments had them exclusively. Brooks Brothers adopted them after all! I'd be very interested to see the striped one you have.

Two Types · May 18, 2015

I think the double label must be earlier - simply because it's so rare. As for washing the cravat, I usually just wash them by hand in fairly cool water with a bit of a fairly soft washing powder. But I've also been known just to chuck the whole lot in the washing machine on a low temperature. Maybe not ideal, but that probably only happens once every two years!

Eddie Derbyshire · May 18, 2015

Perhaps so then - I'm conflicted because it has both an embroidered label and an older looking printed label. Tricky! Have we got a record of the lengths of the different Tootals through the ages TT?

And thanks for the advice on the cravat - it's tempting to chuck it in the washing machine to really bust the grease!

esteban68 · May 18, 2015

I've only ever hand washed ties cravats and scarves at hand hot and never in a machine...best if you try it Eddie with one of yours!

Eddie Derbyshire · May 18, 2015

Hah if I get around to it I shall. I gave that one I swapped with TT a machine wash in a pillow case because it was very mucky - it came up much better than it was. But I was nervous to try it again because that was the nylon mix one and I wondered if full rayon might be a bit more sensitive.

esteban68 · May 18, 2015

Never had an issue with rayon it appears quite strong.

BootsNBraces · May 22, 2015

I came across a few of Tootal products in a charity shop today, two 'Gold Quality' polyester ties and a scarf which seemed to be labled: "Image", but with "by Tootal" in small at the corner of the label.

I didn't have my measuring tape on me so I couldn't check out the length or width of the ties - does the ties being 'Gold Quality' set them in any particular era?
I don't know when polyester started being used for clothing but I'm guessing it was mid/late 50s? I'm considering going back and buying them as all three items are only £1.50 in total but I was curious as to whether anyone could shine any more light on them given the admittedly rather vague description I gave?

Eddie Derbyshire · May 22, 2015

Gold Quality are as you say - from the fifties and made from the early polyester 'Terylene'. I'd go and get them! 'Image' is a much later label and I'm not sure when from. But if you like it go and get it!

Two Types · May 24, 2015

Gold quality ties came out in the late 1950s and were available into the 1960s. I know tie purists don't like the fact they are Terylene, but they are nice ties. I would buy them at that price.

esteban68 · May 24, 2015

I think and old tie from the mid 60's and early in good nick for ten bob is always worth buying!

Eddie Derbyshire · May 24, 2015

I agree! They still have their merit and make for good ties.

Here are two of my latest - and I think they go straight up to two of my favourites! Both 'Standard Quality', the striped one is a 'Cotton and Rayon', with a very small label, and the other just the regular label. I assume the striped one is pretty old going on the pattern.

I only have one other that states 'Cotton and Rayon' on the label, and that is this brown one I posted ages ago, but with poor photographs. So here it is again! The label is the bigger size though.

I'll be honest - I can't tell the difference between the two cloths really. Are all 'Standard' ones blended? Is that something I've missed?

Thanks!

Two Types · May 24, 2015

I would say they are early. The striped one is an absolute beauty.

Eddie Derbyshire · May 24, 2015

Thanks. D'you reckon maybe 20s? The striped one anyway?

Two Types · May 25, 2015

The earliest adverts I found for Tootal ties were about 1929. But I don't know when they actually started making ties. I would safely stick with 1930s.

Eddie Derbyshire · May 26, 2015

3 'Black Quality' Tootals I received today. My favourite is the red I think - it has the best pattern, but going on the width I'd say it's a later one. I'd say they typify 'Black Quality' with their medallion patterns. I also like the different linings they have.

Also, just found this Ebay listing of a very similar 'Standard Quality' to the striped one I posted before. Mine was definitely not deadstock, and had the different label.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Green-Too...684?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item5d587791f4

Thanks!

Two Types · May 26, 2015

EEK! that's from the batch of deadstock that's been up for sale on ebay for about a year now. Too damn expensive for my pockets!

Eddie Derbyshire · May 26, 2015

Yep - I'd never buy them at that price individually. I got mine from a seller second-hand for super cheap. It's a shame they're all so expensive. If they'd been priced a fiver each that seller would have made a tidy profit by now (mostly from us!). Oh well!

Two Types · May 26, 2015

He could sell them at £15 each, still make a profit and have cleared out his stock.

Eddie Derbyshire · May 26, 2015

True, true. Maybe one day he'll have a sale!

esteban68 · May 26, 2015

Nice finds Eddie and yes TT even I'd pay £15 for NOS/deadstock Tootal in a cracking pattern!

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