The next time I hear Neil Diamond’s hit song “Forever in Blue Jeans” I will be thinking about these valuable infant/toddler blue jeans made during the WWII Era- which sold on eBay for over $2,500!
In the song, Neil Diamond states “But it ain’t nothin’ next to baby’s treat,” well, the seller who found these tiny tots- LEVI’S- has indeed found the “Baby’s Treat!”
If you don’t remember the song, here is the first verse for Neil Diamond’s Forever in Blue Jeans.
Money Talks
But it don’t sing and dance
And it don’t walk
And long as I can have you here with me
I’d much rather be
Forever in blue jeans.
Honey’s sweet
But it ain’t nothin’ next to baby’s treat
And if you pardon me
I’d like to say
We’ll do okay
Forever in blue jeans!
This is a pair of rare, LEVI 501xx (501 denotes the lot #) brand of denim blue jeans, and even though they were not found in excellent condition (cuffs had been hemmed up for appropriate length); they are extremely collectible for being an important part of America’s industrial history.
A person might think this is an absurd amount to pay for an old pair of blue jeans, but in 2001, an authenticated 1880’s pair of LEVI blue jeans sold for over $46,000 on eBay!!!
Levi Strauss started LEVI Strauss & Co. in San Francisco during the mid-19th century, but due to the Great San Francisco earthquake and fire of 1906, both the company’s headquarters and factory were destroyed along with the rest of the city. It is believed the first iconic American LEVI denim blue jean overalls were produced in 1873.
KEY: ANY LEVI STRAUSS denim blue jeans dating pre-1970s are collectible and valuable!
When hunting for these western wear denim treasures, watch for the “Big E” in the word “LEVI” (newer jeans new “Levi’s), which is found on the stitched edge of the back pocket. Note the selvedge (the stitched area found on the inside legs), it should be white with a pinkish line (red originally, but faded due to age) of vertical stitching found within the white selvedge area (a.k.a. “redline”). Additionally, what type of leather patch ( LEVI “Two Horse brand” and lettering) is on the backside of the jeans? This particular pair had what they call a “Jerky” leather patch-not a paper patch.
Other factors include-rivet types, (e.g, donut hole-shaped, wreath pattern on top, or numbering found on the back of the rivet closure), and metal zipper or button fly closures.
Vintage LEVI denim jackets and blue jeans can be found in the basement or garage of a farm home; a barn or shed, old garage, or just sitting in the back of someone’s closet just waiting to be discovered by YOU!
Neil Diamond singing “Forever in Blue Jeans” during the Christmas holiday season. Enjoy!
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