Levi's 501 Early Big E 1960s Jeans, J Button Stamp, V Stitch, Darned Repairs, Faded Indigo, Approx. W32
Levi's 501 Early Big E 1960s Jeans, J Button Stamp, V Stitch, Darned Repairs, Faded Indigo, Approx. W32
- 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 $99, 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.
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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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An early Big E Levi's 501 with the J factory stamp and V stitching, worn to a soft pale blue and patched with dense machine darning, in a versatile 32 inch waist.
The Piece
The first 501s to drop the XX while keeping the capital E tab are known as early Big E, and they bridge the 1960s and 1970s in both construction and look. Details such as V stitching at the top button and a single-letter factory stamp tie this pair to the earlier end of that run.
Here the J stamp sits behind the waistband button, the fly closes on stamped buttons and the red tab on the back pocket carries the capital E. The denim has faded to a light, cloudy blue with strong vertical streaks.
Extensive machine darning runs across the thighs, front pockets and below the back pockets, the dense stitching giving the jean a textured, almost woven surface. There is additional fraying around the back pockets and seat. A 32 inch waist is one of the most wearable sizes for vintage Levi's.
Measures about a 32 inch waist with a 66.5 cm inseam; the hems are turned.
Details
- Designer: Levi Strauss & Co.
- Season: 1960s, early Big E
- Model / ref: 501 Big E, J button stamp, V stitch
- Material: Cotton selvedge denim
- Colour: Light faded indigo
- Made in: USA
- Tagged size: No size label, approx. W32
- Measurements: Waist 82 cm (41 cm flat) · Hip 50 cm flat · Rise 28 cm · Inseam 66.5 cm
- Included: Jeans only
Condition
- Vintage with genuine wear and extensive repairs, priced accordingly.
- Dense machine darning across the thighs and front pockets.
- Fraying around the back pockets and seat.
- Paper patch not present.
- Fading and marks throughout.
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. Hand wash in cold water and line dry; do not tumble dry the darned areas.
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
Wearable Waists, Found
If you want an early Big E in cleaner condition, our Hunting Salon can search Japan's vintage denim specialists for you. 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 Big E · early Big E 501 · Levi's J stamp · Levi's V stitch · vintage Levi's W32 · 1960s Levi's 501 · repaired vintage Levi's · Big E selvedge jeans
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