Sealed/Unopened 1961 Irvin B. Foster G-1 (Size 42)

[royc]

Hello Everyone,

I am looking for a valuation or appraisal insight on an exceptional item. This is a vintage US Navy G-1 flight jacket manufactured by Irvin B. Foster & Sons Sportswear Co under contract DA-36-243-QM(CTM) 8834-C-61 (specification MIL-J-7823A). It is labeled size 42.
The most unique factor is that the jacket remains completely preserved and unopened inside its original factory box. The tape seals have never been broken, and the jacket has never seen the light of the day. There is some vintage pen handwriting on the blank upper corner of the cardboard box, but the factory stamp remains completely clear and unblemished. Given that it is an unissued, sealed time capsule of the rarest 7823A contract variation, what would a dedicated collector value this at in today's market? I welcome any historical feedback or valuation guidance. Thank you.

 

[dinhnguyen57]

without seeing the jacket, no valuation can be made.

 

[Edward]

Such an unusual find, it'd be impossible to say. I agree with the above that not being able to ascertain the condition of the jacket inside makes it much harder to evaluate. In which case it probably comes down to whether there's significant market demand to raise the value in an unopened jacket, whether that's as the ultimate collectable, not to be opened, or for someone who wants to have the experience of opening a new, genuine issue jacket of that era for the first time, quite likely the only human to do so in decades, maybe the last to do so for a jacket of that period.

I probably start y looking at the present market value of mint condition jackets from that contract era, though it'd be hard to know whether this jacket being unsealed would make it more valuable, or leave potential buyers wary due to the unknown.

 

[royc]

Thank you for your feedback.

 

[cbez]

x-ray it

 

[Nykwil]

Schrodinger's jacket

 

[Bfd70]

There is a moldy wheel of cheese in the box

 

[Yango]

I have a buddy who bought a plastic sealed box supposedly containing a brand new video camera (back in the 90’s).
It contained a brick. A $200 brick. Lol.

This box probably contains D-i-c-k’s teddy bear, fuzzy blanket and slippers.

 

[Peter Mackin]

Open the box,,

 

[Yango]

Open the box,,

...One would think this would have been the first order of business...

 

[Zoro]

The expectation was to be told "unopened box from 1961 must be worth a bazillion USD" without actually checking what's inside.

 

[Mickiemac]

Depending on how long the box has been sealed (contents wrapped in plastic bag?) and where is was stored would have an impact on the integrity of the contents.

If it is actually an untouched factory fresh (60 years ago?) jacket I would imagine it has some condition issues similar to items that are put in those time capsules that are sealed for decades.

The value can't be determined without knowing the contents/condition so, as mentioned above, open the box!

 

[philli]

how much value are you really preserving by keeping it closed in the box? No buyer actually cares about the tape used 60 years ago. They care about the condition of the item. As long as that is in tact, you aren't diminishing any of its value by simply opening it. Just make sure to be careful with the box when cutting the tape, that's all

 

[Peter Mackin]

I'm happy to start the bidding,,pretty obvious that's where this is heading,,, 50quid.

 

[Edward]

Though in all seriousness, this is an eBay unboxing video I'd love to see.

 

[philli]

Though in all seriousness, this is an eBay unboxing video I'd love to see.

i think an unboxing video is almost mandatory if he wants to maximize value. Hopefully no dry rot or mold on the jacket

 

[Modified_last_call]

I think Gwyneth Paltrow's head is in the box

 

[Zoro]

I'm happy to start the bidding,,pretty obvious that's where this is heading,,, 50quid.

I'm outbidding you: 50 quid, a Double Decker and 900 Tesco points.