Tucked at the end of Extra Place — an alley off of Bowery — sits New York’s coolest new shop Extra. If you don’t take care and pay special attention the shop can be difficult to find, but it is certainly worth it. To be honest, when I saw the address for the first time I didn’t even think it was in Manhattan. The shop’s proprietor is a very nice man named Koji Kusakabe who’s a long time (and much respected) vintage hunter. This fact becomes very obvious when you step foot in the modest space and see all of the treasures that are on offer. In addition to a whole host of vintage gems and collectibles, Koji stocks new goods from Engineered Garments and Post Overalls. The man has a knack for vintage and workwear, it’s a beautiful thing.

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Last week during my visit to Terrapin / Stationers Engraving & Printing Co. I had a chance to watch the engraving process first hand — something truly amazing to see in person. It was equally amazing to take a trip back in time via the Terrapin archive. The company has 50+ years of old business cards, stationery and other printed goods sitting around. The good news is, they didn’t mind letting me look through it.

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This was my prize acquisition from this year’s Brimfield show — a U.S. Army field desk. I have seen a few of these (and some of the larger versions) around on the internet, but never in real life and never at a reasonable price. The markings on the side seem to indicate that this mobile desk — which was most likely used for a clerk — was probably issued for the Korean War and not WWII. All of the drawers are intact and there is a perfect place for your typewriter, pen / pencils, paper and other supplies. All of the wood is original and worn-in nicely. The leather carry handles are even in pretty good shape. This desk is definitely something I have wanted forever and something I will own for a long time to come.

A vintage army field desk situated on a metal shop table.

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A few friends and I are up in Brimfield, Mass. this week for the massive antique / flea market and the potential purchases are everywhere. I was amazed at all of the industrial salvage everywhere. That sort of interior aesthetic is going at full speed. Below are some of the things I saw on our relatively short first day. Americana overload — great stuff.

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To get up to New Milford, Connecticut early enough from NYC I have to get up around 5am. I actually think the Elephant’s Trunk Flea opens at 5 or 5:30am for the super hardcore folks. That’s some real flea market shit right there. By the time I get to Westchester to scoop up my sister, get coffee and drive out there it will be 8/8:30am. That’s pretty much the earliest we can make it. For a little perspective I think the Brooklyn flea opens at 10am — but the Brooklyn flea is a different beast than the Elephant’s Trunk. Go to both of them and you will see what I mean. The Trunk is more work if you live in NYC, but the prices are better and you find different stuff. I have been going for at least the last six years (I moved to NYC in 2001). I took some photos this past weekend and thought it would be fun to share them with you here. I hear rumors that the land where the Elephant’s Trunk is located has been sold and the flea’s days could be numbered. I hope those are just rumors. I suppose only time will tell.

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A selection of photos from The Vintage Showroom in London. The company operates by appointment only, as it is mainly used by designers for “inspiration” and whatnot. If you live in NYC (and are a designer) or a vintage obsessive, The Vintage Showroom operates much like Melet Mercantile or Strong Arm Clothing Supply. Also, if you live in Boston you should know Bobby from Boston, which is more of a public store front than these others. Being that the The Vintage Showroom mainly serves industry people, the prices are not cheap. The prices are also what they are because the proprietors spend a lot of time and money sourcing the stuff. There is also a store front that is open to the public near Covent Garden if you want to check that out.

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Meet The Vintage Showroom. I spent my Wednesday morning here and while my host (co-owner Doug) ran out to get us both a cup of tea (that was nice of him!) I took this little video. I have much more to say and lots of photos that I will share with you very soon. In the meantime, enjoy all of this vintage goodness.

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First things first, lets be happy that it is still cold outside and we can take full advantage of wearing all of our favorite winter goods. This catalog from 1969 is the convergence of two of my favorite things: nostalgic ephemera and L.L. Bean. This booklet features some choice goods, along with a cover shot of a hunter about strike down Bambi. Safe to say that 2010 Bean is not going to be using cover art like this — but some of these goods are a bit less controversial and have been much more long lasting. That Flotation Jacket sure does look familiar.

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The past few days have been spent doing a little business and visiting friends in Houston, Texas. One of the places my friend Kate took me to was the Texas Junk Company in the Fourth Ward section of town. Texas Junk is a quirky shop full of all sorts of odds and ends. Everything from broom handles to old doors to all sorts of other “junk” that you might need. However, the main attraction of the place are the vintage cowboy boots and western wear. Texas Junk is the destination for some vintage boots — everything is neatly organized by size in the cluttered warehouse of a store. While perusing the boots we met a newly transplanted New Yorker who had just started a job with Exxon and was humorously trying to “immerse himself in the local culture.” It seems like he is on the right track. Texas Junk seems like the perfect place to start.

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A dose of nostalgia and workwear for your weekend. This 1950s film about the development of the U.S. railroad system is a great looking little piece of history. “America is the living symbol of the miracle of modern production.” Well said Mr. Industrial Propaganda Film announcer. Check out those brand new Caterpillar dozers at the 2:03 mark, the plaid work shirt at 6:19 and all of those factory scenes. Great stuff.

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Encouraged to write letters to service members overseas, Americans heeded the call and sent massive amounts of mail to their loved ones. The U.S. Postal Service was quickly overwhelmed as the volume of correspondance skyrocketed. So in 1942 the government decided to implement Victory Mail, or V-Mail as it was known, which was a version of the British “Airgraph” system. The Smithsonian explains how the British came to develop Airgraph.

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