Levi's 501 66 Early 1970s, Button 6, Parallel Stitch, Care Label, Repaired Indigo, Approx. W30
Levi's 501 66 Early 1970s, Button 6, Parallel Stitch, Care Label, Repaired Indigo, Approx. W30
- Dispatch
- Prepared and sent from Tokyo within 7–14 days, often sooner, or as arranged
- Arrival
- États-Unis · usually 4–7 days after dispatch, insured and tracked
- Import
Duties and customs · View the estimate
A guide for this piece: about $47, based on the 10% US charge on the declared value of goods made in Japan.
The final figure is set by US Customs and depends on where the piece was made and the kind of object it is. Many antiques over a century old carry no ordinary duty; most jewellery and leather goods add a single-digit rate.
With EMS, any charge is collected by your postal service on delivery. For pieces of significant value we can often arrange duties prepaid before dispatch.
How the estimate is reached · Ask for a figure on this piece
- Sizing
- Measured flat by hand, waist, rise and inseam, in centimetres · Find your size · Ask before you buy
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- Authenticity guaranteed · How we grade
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A 1970s Levi's 501 of the 66-early type, with a 6-stamped top button and its original care and lot labels still sewn inside, worn and repaired into a strongly faded, high-contrast pair.
The Piece
Japanese collectors use the term 66 for the 501s of the early to mid-1970s, after the date printed on their flasher; the early versions kept narrow-loom selvedge and the old fading character of the Big E years. They are the most accessible way into vintage selvedge Levi's, and well-faded pairs have a strong following.
This one has a 6-stamped top button, the small-e red tab, stitched back-pocket arcuates and both the care label, reading Hot wash and Color will bleed, and the lot label printed 501 inside the waistband.
It has been worn hard. There are repairs at the rise and both knees, the pocket bags are torn, a back pocket is torn and the hem stitching has come apart in places. The fade, by contrast, is vivid: pale thighs, bright whiskers and a darker lower leg.
It measures about W30 with a 75 cm inseam.
Details
- Designer: Levi Strauss & Co.
- Season: Early to mid-1970s, 66 early
- Model / ref: 501, small-e tab, button 6
- Material: Cotton selvedge denim
- Colour: Indigo, worn to a natural fade
- Made in: USA
- Tagged size: No size label, approx. W30
- Measurements: Waist 76 cm (38 cm flat) · Hip 104 cm (52 cm flat) · Rise 35 cm · Inseam 75 cm
- Included: Jeans with original care and lot labels
Condition
- Vintage with heavy wear and repairs, priced accordingly.
- Repairs at the rise and both knees.
- Torn pocket bags and a torn back pocket.
- Hem stitching broken in places.
- General fading and soiling consistent with age.
Condition grade C on the Japanese scale; see Japanese condition ranks, explained.
Authenticity & Care
The labels, materials, stitching, hardware and construction are examined together and documented in Japan before dispatch; anything that cannot be confirmed is stated plainly in the description. Every piece carries the Japonista authenticity guarantee. Wash rarely, by hand in cold water, and hang to dry; vintage denim and old repairs reward gentle handling.
Delivery from Japan
Packed by hand in Japan and shipped insured and tracked by EMS or an equivalent express service. Import duties and taxes, where applicable, are payable on arrival. Every sale is final; please ask anything before you buy, and see our published policy.
Every figure above is taken by hand with the pair laid flat, in centimetres. Measure jeans or trousers that already fit you the same way and allow a centimetre or two of margin, the quiet safeguard on a final sale. Our jeans and trousers size guide reads waist and inseam in inches and centimetres, and for anything it leaves open the curator team replies within one Tokyo business day.
Considered offers are welcome through Send an Offer, and each one is reviewed personally.
Continue browsing: Japan Luxury Archive · Levi’s
Specific Vintage Denim, Found to Order
If you are looking for a particular 66 or Big E pair in your size, we can search Japan's vintage circles for it. Our Hunting Salon™ locates a specific reference across Japan’s private collector circles, then inspects, documents and delivers it to you. Begin a Hunting Salon™ request →
Collectors also search: Levi's 501 66 early · vintage Levi's 501 1970s · Levi's 66前期 · Levi's 501 W30 · 70s Levi's selvedge · Levi's 501 care label · repaired Levi's 501 · Levi's 501 button 6

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