Jeans of the Old West, 2nd Edition - by Michael Harris (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

The ever-popular blue jean originated in the Old West frontier of San Francisco in the late 1800s, and here is an extensive look at the entire era of Old West denim. Gathered from collections around the world, it presents never-before-seen pictures of antique "miner's denim" worn in the frontier communities of Nevada and California, including Levi denim that is over 120 years old. More than a dozen other brands that helped make blue jeans what they are today include Greenebaum Brothers, Neustadter Brothers, S. R. Krouse, A. B. Elfelt & Co., Heynemann & Co., Harman Adams, W. & I. Steinhart & Co., Toklas, Brown, and others. Many of these innovative blue-jean designs have been lost in the dust of history and were inaccessible to the public until now. Over 300 color photos and illustrations chronicle examples, patent drawings, and the histories of the manufacturers. This is invaluable information for fashion historians and collectors alike.

Review Quotes

"Harris, a collector of denim, narrates the early days of jeans in a comprehensive book that also reveals the history of immigration and the old west . . . Fashion historians and Americana enthusiasts will love this, as will anyone fascinated by how commonplace items come to be."

--Publishers Weekly

About the Author

Michael Harris is a denim "archeologist," seeking out examples of vintage jeans wherever he can find them. He lives in California.