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Is this complete early 50s Woolrich hunting set the find of a lifetime??

WearsChairs

New in Town
Messages
2
Met up with an older neighbor to help clean out their attic and found this in a trunk in the attic, completely untouched.

As seen in the pictures, the tags date it to late ‘40s to early ‘50s. What’s special about this set is that it’s got everything down to the socks, and it’s all in mint wearable condition. Additionally it’s a wearable sized set.

Grew up in PA so I know there’s a market there and it’s a classic American heritage company.

What I am wondering is the valuation of this as a full set? Would selling to a Japanese market also be a good idea?
I’ve seen the jacket alone go for $250 with elbow holes and missing buttons.

Any help appreciated!
 

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AHP91

One Too Many
Messages
1,483
Met up with an older neighbor to help clean out their attic and found this in a trunk in the attic, completely untouched.

As seen in the pictures, the tags date it to late ‘40s to early ‘50s. What’s special about this set is that it’s got everything down to the socks, and it’s all in mint wearable condition. Additionally it’s a wearable sized set.

Grew up in PA so I know there’s a market there and it’s a classic American heritage company.

What I am wondering is the valuation of this as a full set? Would selling to a Japanese market also be a good idea?
I’ve seen the jacket alone go for $250 with elbow holes and missing buttons.

Any help appreciated!
It's a cool find. The short answer is - no, it's not the find of a lifetime. There's really no huge market for this in Japan. These jackets and pants show up constantly on eBay. Having a full set with a hat is somewhat unique. You can either list it at a sky high price and wait a long time to lower it, or set it to auction. Good luck.
 

TLW '90

One Too Many
Messages
1,439
Elmer Fudd wears this!
And I would too.
In my size I absolutely would, but I'd also wear a matching shirt and vest along with it.

It's a cool find, but I would never expect to get over $250 for it and realistically it's probably a $200 set on a good day.
In slightly lesser condition sets like this can be had near $100 on eBay, not everyday but somebody looking would find one in less than a year.
 

TLW '90

One Too Many
Messages
1,439
It's cool if you like (rather itchy) wool.
I don't wear it without long sleeves underneath, and in the winter I wear base layer pants ( AKA moisture wicking long underwear).
I'm used to wool on my neck though.
I can wear wool, but what I can't wear is synthetic fleece because the feeling of it makes my skin crawl.

The 503 is awesome, I like shadow plaid more than buffalo check because buffalo check is a dime a dozen while shadow plaid is a little more scarce these days.
a280b69b-c30d-4208-8951-8b177f4cb99b-1_all_31.jpg

But I don't hate Buffalo check and I just may have to look for another 503, buffalo check is less common than shadow plaid in the 503 anyways.
 
Last edited:

WolfofStateSt

Practically Family
Messages
654
It's a cool find. The short answer is - no, it's not the find of a lifetime. There's really no huge market for this in Japan. These jackets and pants show up constantly on eBay. Having a full set with a hat is somewhat unique. You can either list it at a sky high price and wait a long time to lower it, or set it to auction. Good luck.
100% ^
 
Messages
17,552
Why is it red, though? Because of other hunters? Red is mostly predominant trait of aposematism and geometric shapes are up there so this thing really looks extremely counterproductive. Even if supposedly deer don't see red, they can still see that goofy *** hat and geometric shapes, though.
 

WolfofStateSt

Practically Family
Messages
654
Why is it red, though? Because of other hunters? Red is the predominant trait of aposematism, and geometric shapes are up there, so this thing really looks extremely counterproductive. Even if supposedly deer don't see red, they can still see that goofy *** hat and geometric shapes, though.
I prefer red to blaze orange… but blaze orange is definitely better for visibility.
 

TLW '90

One Too Many
Messages
1,439
Why is it red, though? Because of other hunters? Red is mostly predominant trait of aposematism and geometric shapes are up there so this thing really looks extremely counterproductive. Even if supposedly deer don't see red, they can still see that goofy *** hat and geometric shapes, though.
It breaks up the human figure, yes deer supposedly don't see red ( not sure if it's true ), and yes other hunters can see you.
 
Messages
18,088
These are all over eBay in the millions. Not rare, not sought after. Not particularly anything.
So to answer your question….
IMG_1264.jpeg
 
Messages
17,552
It breaks up the human figure...

Huh. Good point.

Apparently, science can tell the what spectrum of color mammals can see by how many certain cones their eyes have. Different cones capture light of different wavelength. Deer can see short and medium wavelengths which convers anything from blue to green but their eyes are just not equipped to detect longer wavelengths. They see red as green or gray, depends on how bright it is. It's what their brain translates it as.

But it's interesting - Just as dichromacy of a similar kind is present in humans, there are deer (and other mammals) that can see red. So some deer would see this suit as something that doesn't belong in the forest.

Wild stuff.
 

TLW '90

One Too Many
Messages
1,439
There aren't a lot of people looking for an entire new England tuxedo, but the jackets are still quiet popular.

More with the bush crafter and traditional outdoorsman crowd than in fashion ( except hipsters maybe ) but they are popular.
I don't think the woolrich hats are as popular as stormy Kromer regardless of the color.
 

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