J.C.Penney (Sportclad) Motorcycle Jacket History 1947-1963

[Peacoat]

I have added this thread to the Important LInks thread at the top of this section. We now have all 3 covered: Sears, Montegomery Ward and JC Penney, thanks to Terry.

 

[JMax]

 

[tmitchell59]

I was going to post this most interesting Penney's jacket, your keen eye noticed it too. This has all the look of the classic Kurland Sportclad labeled jackets. The outlined D pocket, the outstanding leather, overall quality of the jacket. This the first I have seen with these features with his label. I have seen quilt lined Sportclads, but this is the first generation with the standard 50s label. Waldes zipper are most unusual in this application.
Confirms this label is early 50s.

 

[EAC]

Wish I had more pictures of this:

Looks like an Hercules with a Penney's label. It probably is, IMHO.

 

[EAC]

The seam failed on this pocket because it did not have enough room. if it was in the correct position you showed it would be the same. There is the tell tale reinforced stitching on the belt loops too. To me Looks like another Wolf product this time made for JC Penney. Wrong?

You may be right on this one, but I have my doubts. Here a similar jacket with the flap (supposedly) attached:

The double row of stitches does not seem to be there:

But, on the other hand, the triangular stitches above the belt loops are indeed the same:

My question now is, is there a double row of stitches on the majority (or all) of the perfecto-style Wolf MC jackets? If so, then I would not be so sure they manufactured these Penney's jackets. If not, tmitchell59 deduction could be true.

 

[EAC]

Late 30s horsehide Sterling label (I would say pre-Sportclad) sport jacket:

 

[EAC]

I recently found out (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JCPenney#First_Half_of_Twentieth_Century) that JC Penney issued its first catalog in 1963, so the following one is the first (and only) MC-related, thread-relevant catalog page we have available:

There were JCP ads on Life magazine starting from 1956; they were also advertised elsewhere and earlier than that date, but I don't know much else.

 

[EAC]

Repost from the Finds & Deals thread.

50s Sportclad with quilted lining, currently on Etsy:

 

[EAC]

Not 100% pertinent, but still relevant, I guess (I can see this being used by a rider). Putting it here mainly for the very early label, but can be moved elsewhere if required.

Earliest JC Penney leather jacket (coat) I've seen, 20s (probably) horsehide, currently on ebay (https://www.ebay.com/itm/203414506525):

 

[tmitchell59]

Love this one!! The leather just looks so rich. I have seen the Sterling label and mostly in the Sheep lined barnstormers as above. This label is used in the 1930s.

I don't know if Sterling is a maker or just a name like Sportclad. It does not show up often and is on other than leather garments.


I would say another Bay Area made jacket, just don't know who? These jackets do remind me of Ralphs-Pugh also Blocks from this time.

Today, I believe I have discovered another significant discovery related to Ralphs-Pugh connection with Montgomery Wards.
I need to do some thinking

 

[EAC]

I don't know if Sterling is a maker or just a name like Sportclad. It does not show up often and is on other than leather garments.

I'd say it's just a pre-sportclad label.

 

[tmitchell59]

hat JC Penney issued its first catalog in 1963,

I did not know that either. What a surprise!

 

[tmitchell59]

 

[EAC]

View attachment 445036

Nice! What's attached to?

 

[jchance]

Ralphs-Pugh for Penney’s

 

[tmitchell59]

Ralphs-Pugh for Penney’s

View attachment 736495 View attachment 736496 View attachment 736497

Nice addition to the RP-JC Penney connection. This green RP leather label was first registered in 1938 and celebrates the Golden Gate bridge opening.

This label does not last long, maybe a year? Perhaps RP was trying to start a "Steerhide" brand name with this label? A way to identify RP jackets from the other makers while they all had JC labels.