Rich-Sher thread

[jchance]

This is the thread on leather jackets by Rich-Sher, 1950s or earlier, who I’ve heard high praises. @Gamma68 did most of the findings in this OP, linked in the next post.

Rich-Sher jackets were made by the Novelty Sportswear Manufacturing Company. Almost all the Rich-Sher jacket labels have "NS" in the logo, either in a crest or under a stylized arch.

Novelty Sportswear Mfg. was located at 314 St. Charles, St. Louis, Mo. This makes sense because the arch in the later Rich-Sher tags might depict the Gateway Arch in St. Louis.

Novelty Sportswear was actively hiring in newspaper from about 1942-1979, they were prob still operationally active into 1980s. The first firm "Novelty Sportswear" company reference found on newspapers.com is a small "help wanted" ad for a leather cutter placed in April 1942. There are lots of subsequent ads throughout the 1940s seeking button-sewers, pocket makers, machine operators, etc. for leather jackets.

In Jan. 1945, the company bought a multistory building on 4th street in St. Louis. Company owners were Oscar Sher, Aaron Brodkin and Harry Reichmann. Novelty occupied the 3rd and 4th floors of the seven-story building.

Lots of "help-wanted" ads continue through the early 1950s for leather and cloth jackets. Ads for leather workers slowed between 1955-1958 and increased for cloth workers. The last ad seeking a leather worker is from July 1958. Thereafter, the company seems to have suspended leather work, since almost all help-wanted ads were for cloth workers.

This changed in early 1970 when the company began placing a few ads again for leather cutters. The company seems to have folded sometime in 1979. The last help-wanted ad is for a presser in March 1979.

For vintage clothing, you can find a lot of Rich-Asher Sherpa-lined clothing (flannel, coat) for cheap.

Earliest reference of Rich-Sher in Feb. 16, 1950 Herald and News (Klamath Falls, Oregon) paper:

1957 newspaper ad placed in the Idaho State Journal:

Nov. 24, 1969 ad in LaCrosse Wisconsin Tribune:

Rich-Sher changed its labels quite often, but kept its own distinctive horse and steer labels. Below is how to date a Rich-Sher label.

1940s horse:


early 1950s horse:


late 1950s steer:

 

[jchance]

Review:

Vintage FQHH Rich-Sher cross-zip jacket

Fresh out of the box. Just wore it over what I was already wearing for quick photos. First impressions: The fit is nice and comfy. The leather is quite nice but feels a little dirty. It's definitely dry but not cracking/flaking. Pecards is needed pronto. The jacket has a comfortable weight and...

www.thefedoralounge.com

To spot an unlabeled crosszip, it has a signature strip of wool lining at the back of neck.

50’s horse, note the different chain zippers:

 

[jchance]

This style is the unlabeled leather jacket of Phillips 66 attendant that sometimes comes with punctured holes where the badge was (far right). It could have a generic horse or cow label.


Half-belt:

1950s, Conmar zipper:

1950s sheep-lined horse:

 

[jchance]

horse:

1940s horse:

late 1950s steer:

 

[jchance]

1950s horse, knit sleeves:

 

[jchance]

1950s horse:

 

[jchance]

late 50s steer:

1950s-1960s goat:

 

[jchance]

50s suede:

 

[jchance]

early 1950s:

1950s-60s, talon main zipper, Conmar chain zipper

 

[jchance]

steer police jacket, with badge holder:

 

[jchance]

G-1:

 

[jchance]

70’s suede, Vagabond by Rich-Sher:

This Vagabond by Rich-Sher label also later appeared as (c.1980s):

 

[jchance]

This style is the unlabeled Phillips 66 leather jacket that sometimes comes with a badge holder (far right). It could have a generic horse or cow label.
View attachment 739198

mid-1940s, unlabeled horse, note the puncture hole where the Phillips 66 badge was:

same horse label with different lining:

Unlabeled steer, note the same puncture holes where the badge was:

with Phillips 66 badge, no hide label:

 

[ABCD]

mid-1940s, unlabeled horse, note the puncture hole where the Phillips 66 badge was:

This is my jacket, now restored back to its former glory.

It's not a Rich Sher though, @jeo identified it as a 'Modern Jacket Co.' Here's one that has the maker's label.

 

[jchance]

This is my jacket, now restored back to its former glory.

View attachment 739245 View attachment 739246 View attachment 739247

It's not a Rich Sher though, @jeo identified it as a 'Modern Jacket Co.' Here's one that has the maker's label.

View attachment 739242 View attachment 739243 View attachment 739244

I didn’t know you’re still around. I love the pic of you pumping gas in the Phillips 66 jacket!

I did see the discussion on Modern Jacket Co. of St. Louis, MO, which is also the same hometown of Novelty “Sportswear” Mfg. Co. that makes Rich-Sher jackets, as discussed in the OP. Your Modern Jacket Co. label is missing the top half, below is the full label from a 1950s rayon coat that states “Sportswear” from St. Louis, MO. Same namesake, same hometown, very similar design, what are the chances? It could be another case of Al’s (former Cal employee) vs. Cal, both with very similar designs and coming from the same hometown of Ventura, CA, or just one being a subdivision / shell company of another. I’d say very close connection.



Relatedly, Modern Jacket Co. also has another label called “Modern”, c.1950s. Talking about the lack of naming creativity—notice how “Modern” by “Modern” Jacket Co. is like taking “Sportswear” from Novelty “Sportswear” Mfg. Co. for its name.

 

[jeo]

This is my jacket, now restored back to its former glory.

View attachment 739245 View attachment 739246 View attachment 739247

It's not a Rich Sher though, @jeo identified it as a 'Modern Jacket Co.' Here's one that has the maker's label.

View attachment 739242 View attachment 739243 View attachment 739244

Thanks Marc.

It was initially believed that the Phillips 66 jackets were made by Rich Sher because they looked alike (although I later discovered the maker for Rich Sher, which was Novelty Sportswear)

Then I discovered that they were made by Modern Jacket Co. as Marc pointed out. There are a few different versions of the Phillips 66 jacket. Some have different backs, some have different hand warmer pocket construction. They almost always feature the same generic horsehide leather label that was used by many makers. Is it possible that some weren’t made by Modern Jacket Co? Sure, but I’d want to see solid evidence of that

 

[Mysteryo]

This is my Rich Sher biker jacket, in steerhide.
Great quality, I like the snug epaulets,
Very tapered at the waist.
I used to have one in Horse, with red quilted lining, one of the best jacket, but a tad too snug for my built at the time.

 

[Biff42]

This is the thread on leather jackets by Rich-Sher, 1950s or earlier, who I’ve heard high praises. @Gamma68 did most of the findings in this OP, linked in the next post.

Rich-Sher jackets were made by the Novelty Sportswear Manufacturing Company. Almost all the Rich-Sher jacket labels have "NS" in the logo, either in a crest or under a stylized arch.

Novelty Sportswear Mfg. was located at 314 St. Charles, St. Louis, Mo. This makes sense because the arch in the later Rich-Sher tags might depict the Gateway Arch in St. Louis.

Novelty Sportswear was actively hiring in newspaper from about 1942-1979, they were prob still operationally active into 1980s. The first firm "Novelty Sportswear" company reference found on newspapers.com is a small "help wanted" ad for a leather cutter placed in April 1942. There are lots of subsequent ads throughout the 1940s seeking button-sewers, pocket makers, machine operators, etc. for leather jackets.

In Jan. 1945, the company bought a multistory building on 4th street in St. Louis. Company owners were Oscar Sher, Aaron Brodkin and Harry Reichmann. Novelty occupied the 3rd and 4th floors of the seven-story building.

Lots of "help-wanted" ads continue through the early 1950s for leather and cloth jackets. Ads for leather workers slowed between 1955-1958 and increased for cloth workers. The last ad seeking a leather worker is from July 1958. Thereafter, the company seems to have suspended leather work, since almost all help-wanted ads were for cloth workers.

This changed in early 1970 when the company began placing a few ads again for leather cutters. The company seems to have folded sometime in 1979. The last help-wanted ad is for a presser in March 1979.

For vintage clothing, you can find a lot of Rich-Asher Sherpa-lined clothing (flannel, coat) for cheap.

Earliest reference of Rich-Sher in Feb. 16, 1950 Herald and News (Klamath Falls, Oregon) paper:
View attachment 739053
View attachment 739052

1957 newspaper ad placed in the Idaho State Journal:
View attachment 739050

Nov. 24, 1969 ad in LaCrosse Wisconsin Tribune:
View attachment 739055

Rich-Sher changed its labels quite often, but kept its own distinctive horse and steer labels. Below is how to date a Rich-Sher label.

1940s horse:
View attachment 739190

early 1950s horse:
View attachment 739145

late 1950s steer:
View attachment 739087

Thanks for putting this all together.