Levi's 501 Big E 1966-67 Transitional Jeans, Double Name Patch, 16 Stamp, V Stitch, Faded Indigo, Approx. W27
Levi's 501 Big E 1966-67 Transitional Jeans, Double Name Patch, 16 Stamp, V Stitch, Faded Indigo, Approx. W27
- 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 $89, 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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- Authenticity guaranteed · How we grade
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A Levi's Big E 501 from the 1966 to 1967 changeover, when the paper patch briefly carried both the 501 and XX designations, with a 16 button stamp and V stitching at the fly.
The Piece
Around 1966 Levi's began dropping the long-standing XX from its patches and replacing it with the lot number alone. For a short spell some patches printed both, and collectors call these double name examples. They sit at a crossroads in the 501's history: the denim and construction still belong to the 1960s, while the branding points to the 1970s.
This pair is described as one of those transitional patches; what remains of it is a cracked fragment with the red print and horse logo, as the photographs show. Supporting details include the 16 stamp behind the top button, the offset belt loop at the centre back, V stitching beside the top buttonhole and single-stitched pocket bags. The red tab has been lost, leaving its stitch line on the back pocket.
The denim has an even, medium fade with soft whiskers and natural honeycombs, the shape of the leg still straight and clean. There are darned repairs at the rise and around the inner thigh, sensible fixes that keep the jean wearable.
No size label survives; it measures about a 27.5 inch waist with a 76 cm inseam.
Details
- Designer: Levi Strauss & Co.
- Season: Attributed to 1966 to 1967
- Model / ref: 501 Big E, double name paper patch, 16 stamp
- Material: Cotton selvedge denim
- Colour: Faded indigo
- Made in: USA
- Tagged size: No size label, approx. W27.5
- Measurements: Waist 70 cm (35 cm flat) · Hip 45 cm flat · Rise 27 cm · Inseam 76 cm
- Included: Jeans only
Condition
- Vintage with genuine wear and repairs, priced accordingly.
- Paper patch partly missing and cracked.
- Red tab missing.
- Darned repairs at the rise and inner thighs.
- Fraying at the hems and general soiling.
Condition grade BC 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 inside out by hand in cold water and line dry to protect the repairs and remaining patch.
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.
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Collectors also search: Levi's 501 Big E · Levi's double name patch · 1966 Levi's 501 · Big E 501 16 stamp · Levi's V stitch · vintage Levi's W27 · 1960s Levi's jeans · Levi's 501 transitional
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