Meet The Maker: Al Crowe

[Biff42]

Hi Fedora Lounge! I did some digging on an obscure leather jacket maker that's popped up on this forum a few times, and I wanted to share some of my findings. The maker is Al Crowe and he was based out of Snohomish Washington State. The details I provide will hopefully provide a timeline for his custom jackets and the reason why they frequently get confused for Seattle Woolen leathers when no label is present.

That said, an Al Crowe's label looked like this:

Brief Background

I spent a few hours digging in Ancestry and finally found him. He died in 1951 at the young age of 49. He was born in Kentucky lived for some time in Missouri then made his way out to the Pacific Northwest.

The Daily Herald​

Everett, Washington • Fri, Feb 3, 1950 Page 4

His 1942 draft card shows that he was employed by Seattle Woolen which is likely why some of his designs favor that brand:

Custom Coat Making Timeline

Based on the 1942 draft card, ads placed in local papers, and AL's untimely death in 1951, I don't think Al Crowe was in business for a full decade before he passed away.

The Daily Herald​

Everett, Washington • Tue, May 18, 1948 Page 4

The Daily Herald​

Thu, Nov 25, 1948 ·Page 4

 

[Biff42]

Courtesy of @Claybertrand:

 

[Biff42]

Courtesy of @jchance this one is a beauty

 

[Biff42]

This was sold on ebay and I posted the pics to the Finds and Deals section.

 

[Leigh H]

I love this one by Crowe

 

[Biff42]

I love this one by Crowe


View attachment 801364 View attachment 801365 View attachment 801366 View attachment 801367

That one is really nice!

 

[Leigh H]

Hi Fedora Lounge! I did some digging on an obscure leather jacket maker that's popped up on this forum a few times, and I wanted to share some of my findings. The maker is Al Crowe and he was based out of Snohomish Washington State. The details I provide will hopefully provide a timeline for his custom jackets and the reason why they frequently get confused for Seattle Woolen leathers when no label is present.

That said, an Al Crowe's label looked like this:

View attachment 801350

Brief Background

I spent a few hours digging in Ancestry and finally found him. He died in 1951 at the young age of 49. He was born in Kentucky lived for some time in Missouri then made his way out to the Pacific Northwest.

The Daily Herald​

Everett, Washington • Fri, Feb 3, 1950 Page 4


View attachment 801351


His 1942 draft card shows that he was employed by Seattle Woolen which is likely why some of his designs favor that brand:


View attachment 801352

Custom Coat Making Timeline

Based on the 1942 draft card, ads placed in local papers, and AL's untimely death in 1951, I don't think Al Crowe was in business for a full decade before he passed away.

The Daily Herald​

Everett, Washington • Tue, May 18, 1948 Page 4

View attachment 801355

The Daily Herald​

Thu, Nov 25, 1948 ·Page 4

Thanks for finding this information! @Biff42

I think it makes his jackets even more special now, he was taken too soon.

 

[Biff42]

Thanks for finding this information! @Biff42

I think it makes his jackets even more special now, he was taken too soon.

My pleasure it's a lot of fun to track these people down.

Given resource shortages during the war, it's possible Al might have gone in business only after the war which only gave him 5 or 6 years of his own custom shop.

 

[tmitchell59]

Thanks again for a very interesting story! He worked in all leathers, the jacket below looks to be Deerskin. Interesting he was asking for Calf Skins in he ad. Makes sense he worked for Seattle Woolen. The Aviator above has the look of a Seattle Woolen jacket.

Odd he had a draft card at age 41. He may not have served due to his age. He moved the shop in 1948, so he was making goods before then. the jacket below has a 40s zipper pull and it looks like the others above do also. This zipper assembly ended around 1950, 51.

Did the business continue after his death in 1951?

What a great read for a Sunday morning! Thanks

 

[Biff42]

Thanks again for a very interesting story! He worked in all leathers, the jacket below looks to be Deerskin. Interesting he was asking for Calf Skins in he ad. Makes sense he worked for Seattle Woolen. The Aviator above has the look of a Seattle Woolen jacket.

Odd he had a draft card at age 41. He may not have served due to his age. He moved the shop in 1948, so he was making goods before then. the jacket below has a 40s zipper pull and it looks like the others above do also. This zipper assembly ended around 1950, 51.

Did the business continue after his death in 1951?

What a great read for a Sunday morning! Thanks

View attachment 801462

Hey Terry, I always appreciate your enthusiasm for these posts!

No, I think the business stopped after his death. This article says the property was purchased in 1952:

Another point I noticed researching this was that skilled tradesmen like Al Crowe and even businesses like White's boots went west during the early 1900's probably because of the lumber and related industries.

 

[tmitchell59]

No, I think the business stopped after his death. This article says the property was purchased in 1952:

Thanks again! His production must have been small given the short time he was making. Each says custom.

 

[Biff42]