Taubers of California Horsehide "Trucker" jacket

I know it is not what we call a Trucker jacket.

This was a keeper from the first try on. I called it a "Trucker" jacket, but not in the usual meaning. Maybe a "Cabbie" jacket since trucker is taken. Perfect for sitting in a truck or cab. I don't see this one as a motorcycle jacket. Taubers made many variations of leather jackets. In the 60s they made Levi style trucker jackets. Ive seen a few, but never one in a size I could wear. They are nice. I have a Taubers racing shirt or pull over in horsehide. I sold a very nice 60s steerhide cafe racer that did not fit. As nice as it was it did not bring much money. They made variations of the traditional cross zip perfecto style MC jacket. Most of the older jackets are labeled as horsehide. They were advertising Horsehide racing shirts into the 60s. That is late for horsehide. I don't think any other makers was using horsehide in the 60s. I've also seen goat along with the Steerhide.

I first heard about Taubers from one of my first buys on the forum. I don't think the seller is on here anymore. He sold me a few jackets and ended up throwing in an early Brooks cafe racer which I still own. He mentioned Taubers in our discussion.

I researched the company in the San Francisco city directory. The first listing for the company was 1941 as I recall. They were still listed into the early 70s. They were among several Bay area makers on Mission Street. Johnson Leathers continues the tradition. I know they go back a few years. Would be interesting to ask Alan at Johnson what he knows about that history.

They used several different labels through the years. This one has nob hill on the label.

The leather is as nice as you will find, new or old. This jacket is probably 70 years old.

With the Sierra

Show of hands...who went straight to the classifieds after the video? I know I did. Awesome Terry. Seriously love that Taubers and I fully get it. That jacket slays.

I was thinking the same thing—-where does he find these beautiful classics only seen in collector’s books. Only thing I could think of was that he made a deal with the devil.

That is one ridiculously great jacket.

Very nice. Love watching your videos.

What can I say.... Another amazing jacket, Terry!

this jacket wasn't hard to find. It is putting up the money that gets difficult. Although in the case of this jacket I didn't hesitate. I actually got this jacket on an offer. Maybe if I told you what I paid for it it wouldn't be so interesting, or it may be more interesting. to me this jacket was a bargain. I'm not getting these for 15 or $20 at the flea market. That can probably happen, but probably not. I'm always curious what people think I pay for these or what you would pay for these jackets.

This one is just really special. I prefer jackets there are Nice condition even if they are old. I'm not so into patina.

I've got a few others that I haven't profiled yet. several from the 30s. at least two police jackets from the 30s.

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That’s definitely a lifetime keeper. It’s just the cool [emoji41], classic jacket that everyone is looking for. Thanks for sharing.


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You the man !!

Here's a Coming Attraction

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Wonderful pics and great write-up on Taubers! Love the dice chain pull, and the slant pocket. Very cool!
I've had a soft spot for Taubers ever since I spotted a Taubers pull-over horsehide shirt hanging on the wall of one of my favorite stops. The horsehide they used back then was simply amazing.


Another earlier label when they moved their operations from Nob Hill to the Mission.

That is a hell of a find, and a hell of a jacket! Looks to be in nice condition, and looks great on you!

That’s a beauty Terry! The leather is fantastic!

Fantastico ! probably a "made up word" but you get the idea !

technovox said:

Wonderful pics and great write-up on Taubers! Love the dice chain pull, and the slant pocket. Very cool!
I've had a soft spot for Taubers ever since I spotted a Taubers pull-over horsehide shirt hanging on the wall of one of my favorite stops. The horsehide they used back then was simply amazing.


Another earlier label when they moved their operations from Nob Hill to the Mission.
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That's an interesting tidbit on the move from Nob Hill to Mission. That will help identify year. They typically list the street address in the city directory. I don't know SF

I have a lot of questions about who made what in the Bay Area. I just don't know how to get answers.

Many of the most interesting leather jackets made were produced in the Bay Area. Block Bilt certainly stands out. A Ralphs Pugh jacket was recently posted here. They were Bay Area also. I have another 30s jacket from another Bay Area maker, Fashion Clothes.

Who made all the jackets that said made in California? They were listed under names by Hercules Montgomery Ward as made in California.

Innovative interesting jackets with top-quality leather and craftsmanship

Another little tidbit on Taubers from Tenaka's fascinating Motorcycle Jackets book: "Taubers of California was established in downtown San Francisco in 1940. They made good horsehide jackets for local riders and racers as late as the 1960s. Taubers disappeared in the 1980s due to the misfortune of their owner."

Here's an ad from 1966...you can see by that time they had moved to a Mission St. address. The rents were probably cheaper in the Mission than in Nob Hill.

The colour of the lining is really gorgeous!

I've had a jacket in a very similar leather but I can't recall for the life of me what it was... Either way, pure beauty.

tmitchell59 said:

I have a lot of questions about who made what in the Bay Area. I just don't know how to get answers.

Many of the most interesting leather jackets made were produced in the Bay Area. Block Bilt certainly stands out. A Ralphs Pugh jacket was recently posted here. They were Bay Area also. I have another 30s jacket from another Bay Area maker, Fashion Clothes.

Click to expand...

There were quite a few other vintage leather jacket makers in San Francisco that are worth mentioning as well: Golden Bear, Febes, North Beach, Leather Forever, Johnson Leathers, StrongBilt, Levis, Line-up, and of course...East-West.