A pair of Levi’s jeans with the brand’s original, racist slogan on the back has been bought for more than £67,500 and is thought to be one of the oldest known pairs.
Although well worn, the 1880s trousers were described in the listing as being in fair/wearable condition and still “good enough to wear in a Starbucks”.
It was 23-year-old Kyle Haupert who won the bid on October 1st during the Durango Vintage Festivus auction in New Mexico, USA.
The item was hailed as “the holy grail of vintage denim collecting” and Kyle, who collected vintage clothing, bought it as an investment item.
The jeans were marked with candle wax. Credit: @goldenstatevtg/InstagramThe listing for the antique jeans said they were “one of the oldest known Levi’s jeans from the mining/gold rush era.”
They were said to be “the holy grail of vintage denim collecting” and had been in a private collection since their discovery in an abandoned mine shaft.
This was their first public auction and “quite possibly the oldest Levi’s ever sold at a live auction”.
The listing dubbed them the “holy grail of vintage denim collecting.” Credit: @goldenstatevtg/InstagramWhile the 38-inch waist and 32-inch long jeans are marked with candle wax believed to be from prospectors hunting down narrow tunnels, they still have their suspender buttons and original racist tag on the Back.
The label with the year of manufacture provides information about the origin, size and place of production of the jeans. However, it also includes the slogan “The only kind made by White Labor”.
The wording was used by the brand at a time of heightened tensions between Chinese immigrants and US citizens. It highlights discrimination against migrant workers.
According to the WSJ, the logo was used after the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, which banned Chinese from working in the United States for a decade.
The jeans featured the brand’s original racist slogan. Credit: @goldenstatevtg/InstagramA Levi’s spokesman told the WSJ that the slogan was used to “improve sales and align with the views of consumers at the time.”
But after a decade it was dropped.
Kyle teamed up with Zip Stevenson – owner of a vintage store in LA – to buy the jeans.
Zip helped him with the final 10 percent of the $76,000 bid.
Kyle told the Journal, “I’m still a bit confused, just surprised I bought them in the first place.”
The item fetched £67,500 at auction. Credit: @goldenstatevtg/InstagramWhile noting their good condition, Stevenson said, “You could wear them to a Starbucks.”
Kyle shared a picture of the post on his Instagram page and many couldn’t believe the price he paid – especially with the brands.
“Idk man price seems a little high with the spots and all,” commented one.
And another person asked a very good question: “I just want to know why he took his pants off in the mine.”