Obscure Makers: Hollywood Leather Sportswear

[Biff42]

Hey guys, I found this obscure leather jacket maker and wanted to add some details on it for the FL archives. The maker is Hollywood Leather Sportswear and this Cossack jacket popped up on eBay. It's from the 30's and prompted me to do a quick search on Newspapers.com for details on the maker.

The Cossack jacket from eBay, pics posted here with permission from the eBay seller:

 

[Biff42]

Here are some vintage ads providing a timeline for their production, as well as an ad for a liquidation auction from 1940. This company likely only existed in the 1930's and was owned by an M.E. Wartnik:

 

[Edward]

Interesting jacket. Assuming the photos haven't been flipped, a ladies' model. I wonder if that makes it rarer? Don't tend to see as many of those cropping up. Although not an exact match in style to any jacket I've seen Amelia Earhart wearing in photos, it would map to her era of celebrity, and is in the vein of the sort of thing she wore. I wonder if she was a stylistic influence on this one.

 

[Leigh H]

Upscaled label

 

[Biff42]

Upscaled label

View attachment 802261

I love that label! They sure dont make them like that anymore.

 

[Biff42]

Interesting jacket. Assuming the photos haven't been flipped, a ladies' model. I wonder if that makes it rarer? Don't tend to see as many of those cropping up. Although not an exact match in style to any jacket I've seen Amelia Earhart wearing in photos, it would map to her era of celebrity, and is in the vein of the sort of thing she wore. I wonder if she was a stylistic influence on this one.

I did a quick search and found this Earhart A1/Cossack type jacket in the archives at Purdue University. It was made by Abercrombie and Fitch. It's a unique design in my opinion.

Edward, I have access to UK papers on Newspapaers.com if you have any suggestions on obscure UK coat makers. I'm far less familiar with the European market for leather jackets.

 

[jeo]

 

[Biff42]

View attachment 802294 View attachment 802295 View attachment 802296

Yours @jeo ? I love the labels on these.

That back on yours is amazing. It's 20X more elegant than a Mr. Freedom repro IMO.

 

[jeo]

Yours @jeo ? I love the labels on these.

Not mine. It was on eBay a few months ago. The label is a bit different than the one you posted.

That back on yours is amazing. It's 20X more elegant than a Mr. Freedom repro IMO.

For sure, although I’m not the biggest fan of zip front cossacks, a cossack should be button up.

 

[Edward]

I did a quick search and found this Earhart A1/Cossack type jacket in the archives at Purdue University. It was made by Abercrombie and Fitch. It's a unique design in my opinion.

View attachment 802297

Edward, I have access to UK papers on Newspapaers.com if you have any suggestions on obscure UK coat makers. I'm far less familiar with the European market for leather jackets.

Oh! Nice - I've never seen such a good photo of it. All the photos I've seen to date were B&W candids of Earhart in the jacket, nothing so clear as this. It is interesting; the notch lapels have a hint of Ike jacket or 49 Patter Battledress about them (albeit this obviously significantly predates both, so can't have been influenced by them).

In terms of UK makers, I'm less familiar with the pre-war, or really pre-mid-late-50s options. I do know that much pre-1950, sheepskin and lamb dominated the UK leather market, which is a lot to do with why few survive (compared to, say, American horsehide jackets). Will certainly post about anything I come across, though.