15.10.2022: A Levi’s Jeans auction from 1880 that took place in New Mexico, USA, sold in $87,000. I think this is the most money I’ve ever spent on a pair of jeans trousers.
The pants were purchased at an auction on October 1 by Kyle Haupert, a San Diego-based vintage apparel dealer who is 23 years old.
Haupert told, “I’m still a little perplexed, simply surprised in myself for even buying them.
According to the Journal, he purchased the jeans with Zip Stevenson, the proprietor of the vintage apparel store Denim Doctors. Haupert contributed 90% of the winning offer and is hopeful the more knowledgeable Stevenson may assist in locating the pants’ future purchaser. When the buyers premium was taken into account, the total cost of the pants was $87,400.
On the Instagram page of his store, Golden State Vintage, Haupert posted photos of the auction and the valued pair of jeans.
According to Long John, a denim publication that first broke the news about the winning bid, the vintage jeans were discovered in an old mine years ago. They have a single back pocket and suspender buttons on the waistbands, and they were worn by a miner. Candle wax stains are visible on the pants.
The jeans are described in their auction ad as “the holy grail of vintage denim collecting” and are among the first known Levis from the time of the gold rush. According to the listing, the pants are in “good/wearable” condition.
To a Starbucks, you may wear them, Stevenson told the Journal.
Insider’s request for comment, which was made outside of normal business hours, did not receive a response right away from Haupert.