Levi's 501 Big E 1960s Hidden Rivets, J Button, Long-Leg R Tab, Selvedge, Repaired Indigo, Approx. W28
Levi's 501 Big E 1960s Hidden Rivets, J Button, Long-Leg R Tab, Selvedge, Repaired Indigo, Approx. W28
- Dispatch
- Prepared and sent from Tokyo within 7–14 days, often sooner, or as arranged
- Arrival
- United States · usually 4–7 days after dispatch, insured and tracked
- Import
Duties and customs · View the estimate
A guide for this piece: about $229, 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.
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- Sizing
- Measured flat by hand, waist, rise and inseam, in centimetres · Find your size · Ask before you buy
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- Within one Tokyo business day · Ask the curator team
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- Authenticity guaranteed · How we grade
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A mid-1960s Levi's 501 with concealed rivets, a Big E tab with the long-legged R and selvedge outseams, a transitional pair from the moment the XX was dropped and the classic details still remained.
The Piece
Around 1966 Levi's removed the XX from the 501 designation, but for a short period the jeans kept the construction of their predecessors: hidden copper rivets at the back pockets, yellow-orange stitching and red-line selvedge at the outseams. Collectors prize these transitional pairs as the last expression of the old 501.
This pair carries a J-stamped top button, hidden rivets, the capital-E red tab with the long-legged R in the registered mark, and selvedge with its red line visible at the turned-up hems. The fly is button-closed and the stitching is the familiar yellow.
It has been worn and repaired heavily. Darning and patches cover the front thighs and knees, there is reinforcement around the fly and the back pocket shows old mending. The waistband patch is missing. The fade, by contrast, is beautiful: bright honeycombs, a clean seat and high-contrast seams.
It measures about W28 with a long 75 cm inseam and a straight, full leg.
Details
- Designer: Levi Strauss & Co.
- Season: c.1966 to 1967, Big E era
- Model / ref: 501 transitional, hidden rivets, J top-button stamp, long-leg R tab
- Material: Cotton selvedge denim
- Colour: Indigo, worn to a natural fade
- Made in: USA
- Tagged size: No size label, approx. W28
- Measurements: Waist 70 cm (35 cm flat) · Hip 102 cm (51 cm flat) · Rise 27 cm · Inseam 75 cm
- Included: Jeans only
Condition
- Vintage with extensive wear and repairs, priced accordingly.
- Patched and darned areas across the front thighs, knees and fly.
- Mended back pocket; fraying at belt loops and hems.
- Waistband patch missing.
- General 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. Pieces over $1,000 may be reserved over several payments with Layaway Privilege™.
Continue browsing: Japan Luxury Archive · Levi’s
Transitional Denim Found to Order
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Collectors also search: Levi's 501 Big E hidden rivets · vintage Levi's 501 1966 · Levi's 501 selvedge Big E · Levi's long leg R · 60s Levi's 501 W28 · Levi's transitional 501 · Big E 501 repaired · vintage Levi's redline
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