{"product_id":"vintage-1950s-french-leather-work-jacket-gvf-impercuir-graulhet","title":"Original 1950s–60s French Leather Work Jacket GVF Impercuir Graulhet","description":"\u003cp\u003eMade in Graulhet in south-west France in the 1950s or 60s, this black leather work jacket carries the GVF Impercuir label, with the words \u003cem\u003eVêtement de Qualité\u003c\/em\u003e on a small green tag. It has the details of a proper French working jacket: an offset button front under a raised placket, buttoned cuff tabs, ventilation eyelets under the arms and a heavy wool plaid lining.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGraulhet was a town that lived on leather. Tanning had been its trade for centuries, and by the 19th century it was known worldwide as the capital of \u003cem\u003ebasane\u003c\/em\u003e, the soft sheepskin used to line shoes, with tanneries and drying sheds running the length of the river Dadou. The jacket's label still carries the town's name.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe leather is the heart of this jacket. The black has worn back to tan wherever a body meets it, across the collar, shoulders, forearms, cuff tabs and pocket edges, and up close the surface is finely crazed, like old varnish. It is wear that only comes from a long working life, and underneath it the leather is still sound and supple.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvery detail has a job. The front buttons off-centre under a raised leather placket, because wind drives straight through a closure that runs down the middle, and the placket is triple-stitched where a working jacket takes its strain. A wide leather collar closes at the throat with a loop and button. There is a flap chest pocket and two slanted welted hand pockets. Buttoned tabs draw the cuffs in against the weather and out of the way of the hands, and three metal eyelets under each arm let heat out during hard work. There isn't a zip anywhere, so there is nothing to jam or break.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInside, the body is lined in thick wool plaid in red, blue and tan, as heavy as a blanket and made for warmth. The sleeves are lined smooth so the jacket goes on easily over a knit, and the inside fronts are faced in leather with a welted inside pocket.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe jacket has also been looked after. At some point the bottom corners of the lining were patched by hand with houndstooth tweed, and a few buttons have been replaced over the years, matched closely enough that you have to look for them. These repairs belong to its working life and have been left as they are.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a French work jacket from a leather town, worn hard, kept going by someone who valued it, and still with plenty of wear left in it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition \u0026amp; Restoration\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGood vintage condition, with heavy, honest wear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe leather is sound and supple, with a deep worn-through patina across the collar, shoulders, sleeves and edges. That is the character of the jacket, not damage. There is a small pale mark low on the front hem.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe plaid wool lining is full and warm, with some wear along the front edges, and was patched at the bottom corners with houndstooth tweed during its working life. A few buttons have been replaced over the years and blend in closely with the originals. The sleeve linings, eyelets and cuff tabs are all intact.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProfessionally cleaned and dressed in-house using our own Workshop Blends, with the leather left soft and supple and its natural character intact.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll photographs show the actual jacket for sale and form an important part of the condition description.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e1950s–60s French leather work jacket by GVF Impercuir, Graulhet\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOriginal green \"Vêtement de Qualité\" label\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBlack leather worn to tan at the edges and high points\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOffset button front under a raised, triple-stitched placket\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWide leather collar with loop-and-button throat closure\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFlap chest pocket and two slanted welted hand pockets\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eButtoned cuff tabs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThree ventilation eyelets under each arm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThick plaid wool body lining, smooth-lined sleeves\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLeather-faced inside fronts with welted inside pocket\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePeriod hand repairs to the lining, left intact\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGood vintage condition\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSize \u0026amp; Fit\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll measurements are taken with the garment laid flat.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChest, armpit to armpit: 24.5\" \/ 62 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShoulders, seam to seam: 21\" \/ 53.5 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSleeve, shoulder seam to cuff: 24\" \/ 61 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUnderarm seam to cuff: 16.5\" \/ 42 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBack length, base of collar to hem: 29\" \/ 73.5 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBest suited to:\u003c\/strong\u003e 44\" chest \/ Size Large\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFit:\u003c\/strong\u003e A classic French work-jacket cut, generous and slightly boxy through the body with room for a heavy knit underneath. It sits at the hip, and the sleeves are a regular length. It suits a 44\" chest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor the best indication of sizing, please compare the measurements above with a similar jacket you already own. For any sizing questions, please get in touch.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Revive \u0026 Restore Vintage","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55016293826883,"sku":"EB5190","price":495.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0786\/2232\/7107\/files\/IMG_8641_4845279a-2f34-4df2-aa21-6508d3d42a60.jpg?v=1793798186","url":"https:\/\/reviverestorevintage.co.uk\/products\/vintage-1950s-french-leather-work-jacket-gvf-impercuir-graulhet","provider":"Revive \u0026 Restore Vintage","version":"1.0","type":"link"}