How much did a pair of Levi's cost when they were first introduced?

This is for a radio quiz - if we win it all, there will be a $10 tip.

Thanks!
Jeff

Hello jefffromgreen,

The first pair of Levi's cost $1.25. 

 
Please find referneces below.

?When Levi's first introduced their jeans in the 1880's, a pair cost
only $1.25. One of those original pairs recently sold at an auction
for $46,532!!!?
Gopher Central: Denim Fun Facts
http://scripts.gophercentral.com/archives/list.asp?a=3&i=LookingGood&rn=665


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From Vibe 98.5 F.M.:

?September 21st, 2005 
Q: The first pair of these cost $1.25 
A: Levis jeans?
http://www.vibe985.com/content/content_publish/program_details.asp?filename=program_id_992.html


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Search terms used: 
"pair of Levi's " "first introduced" cost OR price

I hope this helps!

Best regards,
Bobbie7

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Clarification of Answer by bobbie7-ga on 08 Nov 2005 16:51 PST

Another reference similar de Smelt-ga´s; however a different year:

1853
"Tailor and astute businessman Levi Strauss travels to northern
California during the gold rush. He joins his sister and
brother-in-law in San Francisco, opening a small dry goods store. It
sells much-needed supplies to retailers who in turn sell them on to
miners trying to strike it rich in the gold fields. A miner says that
what they really need is strong pants that won't rip. Ever the
entrepreneur, Levi turns the strong canvas cloth he had planned to
sell for tents and wagon covers into pants--they cost about 22 cents.
He had planned to live on his profits while he looked for gold, but
his fortune begins with that bundle of brown cotton cloth. Called
"those pants of Levi's," soon miners all over California are wearing
the canvas pants they call Levi's."
http://64.233.161.104/search?q=cache:pzE61hCfMlsJ:www.umkc.edu/imc/jeans.htm+levi%27s+%2222+cents+%22+&hl=en

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Clarification of Answer by bobbie7-ga on 08 Nov 2005 17:22 PST

From the Levi Strauss website:

"Levi, who was an astute businessman, saw the potential for this new
product and agreed to Jacob's proposal. On May 20, 1873, the two men
received patent #139,121 from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. We
consider that day to be the official "birthday" of blue jeans.

Although denim pants had been around as work wear for many years, it
was the first use of rivets that created what we now call jeans.
"Waist overalls" was the traditional name for work pants, which is
what these first jeans were called. The word jeans became more popular
around 1960 when the baby-boom generation adopted the term for its
favorite type of pants.

Sometime during 1873, the first riveted clothing was made and sold.
(We're not sure of the exact date because we lost all our historic
records in the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire.) Jacob Davis
was in charge of manufacturing when Levi Strauss & Co. opened its two
San Francisco factories."
http://www.levistrauss.com/about/history/jeans.htm

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Clarification of Answer by bobbie7-ga on 08 Nov 2005 20:10 PST

According to an article in the Las Vegas Review-Journal published on
AMy 14, 2001, a very early pair of jeans probably sold for $1.25 at
the time they were made.

Excerpt:


"Levi's bought an 1890 pair from a New York City dealer for $25,000
three years ago. The Nevada pair probably sold for about $1.25 at the
time they were made.

"We hesitate to claim them as the world's oldest unless we are 100
percent sure of that fact," Williamson said. "But we stand by what
Levi's has to say, which is that it is a very early pair -- possibly
the world's oldest and certainly one of the oldest pairs."

Levi Strauss historian Lynn Downey authenticated the Nevada jeans
based on the fabric, weave, pocket design and Levi Strauss impression
on the rivets. It's the rivets to the corners and pockets -- patented
by Levi Strauss and Reno tailor Jacob Davis in 1873 -- that made them
favorites of miners, loggers and cowboys."

http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2001/May-14-Mon-2001/news/16070242.html

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Clarification of Answer by bobbie7-ga on 09 Nov 2005 07:52 PST

Hi Jeff,  

I sent off an email to Levi´s asking them which number is correct. 
I will get back to you as soon as possible.  

Thanks, 
Bobbie7

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Clarification of Answer by bobbie7-ga on 10 Nov 2005 09:04 PST

Hi Jeff!

Thank you for the five star rating!


I just found a $13.50 reference; however it says that it was $13.50 a dozen.

"On this day in 1874, Levi Strauss began marketing blue jeans with
copper rivets (the price was $13.50 a dozen)."
http://72.14.207.104/search?q=cache:Zs_MwUEvWfkJ:www.nortexinfo.net/McDaniel/0520.htm+%22price+was+%2413.50%22+levi%27s&hl=en

And here:
http://rush2jc.50megs.com/0520.html

So that would be $1.12 for each pair.

I think $13.50 is a bit expensive for a pair of jeans in the 1870´s.

Thanks again, Bobbie7

Great job, everyone.  The answer they were looking for was $13.50. 
But don't feel bad, they often have screwy answers.  !!!
Jeff

I have found several references to the price being .22 cents

1873: Featuring three pockets, no belt loops-only suspender buttons
and a waist-cinching buckle on the back, dark blue stiff loose-fitting
riveted denim "waist overalls" are introduced in California selling
for 22 cents each.



http://www.antiqueweb.com/articles/vintageclothing.html

"The first pair of Levi's® cost $6.00 and was paid for in gold dust."

http://72.14.203.104/search?q=cache:KZhXwMvhVLgJ:www.newswire1.net/NW2003/A_GHA_CH/042203/Fun_Facts.htm+%22pair+of+levi%27s+cost%22&hl=en

Of course this only illustrates the unreliableness of the Internet.  I
would lean toward Bobbie7's answer because of the multiple mentions.

I hope we hear back from jefffromgreen-ga with the contest answer.  

more links to .22 cents

http://www.germanheritage.com/biographies/mtoz/strauss.html
http://www.jaspergermanclub.org/newsletters/march03.htm

Here is a site that supports the $13.50 fwiw:
http://www.comedition.com/AAAA/Trivia.htm