[AlanC]

I picked up a camel hair polo coat today with a tag (below) which reads:
Eldridge
distributed by
Harry Rothman
Fifth Avenue
Hand Tailored

It feels canvased to me. Anybody know anything about either Eldridge or Harry Rothman?

I'll post pics of the coat later when I have a little more time.

 

[AlanC]

And here's the coat:

 

[medwards]

For many year's, Harry Rothman's was a men's discount store on Fifth Avenue...originally as a lower end retailer and later stocking some rather good products at lower end prices. The original store no longer exists, but here's a little bit about its legacy:

https://nymag.com/listings/stores/rothmans/

 

[AlanC]

It looks very similar to the vintage coat that kitonbrioni has posted pics of (the one on the far right, sorry for stealing your pic kb):



The Eldridge I have is quarter lined as well; the pockets are very similar as are the turned back sleeve cuffs.

There's only one button hole on the lapel on my Eldridge, but it actually is functional as there's a button high on the right side that it can be attached to. It also has a lapel buttonhole flower catch on the underside of the lapel beneath the buttonhole, a feature I've only seen elsewhere on Oxxford.

 

[son of brummell]

Eldridge was the original Harry Rothman's in-house brand.

The original Harry Rothman store carried both overstocks from Norman Hilton and others. It removed the label and placed its Eldridge label. Harry Rothman also purchased clothes from manufacturers. Therefore, this item might have been either an overstock or a coat made for Rothman's.

The original Rothman store was at Fifth and 18th Street where Daffy's now stands. It was a very large floor with a second floor. The store was classic discount emporium. It was not fancy, and the decor was probably unchanged from the 1950's. They had testimonials from various businessmen, politicians, and diplomats on the columns.

It thrived in the age when men had to wear suits every day to work, and men would visit at least twice a year to replenish their wardrobe. It sold classic American business suits. I think that most of the suits were full canvas because that was what was sold at the time. I used to buy Norman Hilton suits there. I also bought some Sulka dress shirts (with the label) which they shortened for me.

The coat is probably full canvas because Rothman carried better quality clothes.

 

[AlanC]

Thanks, Mark. Very encouraging news.

 

[AlanC]

I note also from another pic that kitonbrioni posted of his vintage polo coat that it was made (apparently) by a Baker Clothes:

(kitonbrioni's coat)

This is on the interior tag of mine:

(AlanC's coat)

Perhaps my Eldridge is a rebranded Baker? All very tantalizing.

 

[son of brummell]

A fine overcoat is tailored in the same manner as a suit coat. In other words, an overcoat or topcoat is just a longer, heavier coat.

Check if the inside armholes and shoulder seams were hand sewn. Also, was the under collar hand sewn? If the answer is yes, then you have a better quality overcoat.

Generally, vintage Rothman's clothes would be full canvas and have some handwork since that was the norm when it was in business.

Good luck!

 

[son of brummell]

Would you like to add my coat to your collection?

The Eldridge I have is quarter lined as well; the pockets are very similar as are the turned back sleeve cuffs.

There's only one button hole on the lapel on my Eldridge, but it actually is functional as there's a button high on the right side that it can be attached to. It also has a lapel buttonhole flower catch on the underside of the lapel beneath the buttonhole, a feature I've only seen elsewhere on Oxxford.

Based on this description it sounds like a quality coat.

Enjoy!

Incidentally, I see that you have quite a collection of camelhair coats. Are you trying to corner the market?

 

[AlanC]

That group of three is owned by kitonbrioni--he's the market cornerer! I was posting it to compare the Eldridge to his Baker on the far right of the picture.

 

[jamgood]

A page from the Polo 1977 F/W catalogue (reduced)
The same "Ulster" collar, not peak lapel.
Notched cuffs. Framed patch pockets.
Blonder buttons.
Slightly different button placement and perhaps more shaped.
Can you find an RN or WPL number somewhere in a lining pocket?

 

[AlanC]

Can you find an RN or WPL number somewhere in a lining pocket?

No, other than the inside pocket label I posted above, there's nothing but a union tag in the other interior pocket.

Thanks for the pic.

 

[juvihrl]

Hi, I'm a little late to the thread but...my grandfather was Harry Rothman. While I don't know anything really about the exact coat, most if not all of the clothes in the store were sold with his own label. He would get the post-season clothes from the big guys and resell them at a discounted price. Eldridge was a street that he liked as a child. That's where the inspiration for the name came from.

That being said, what size is the coat and would you be willing to part with it?

 

[eagle2250]

^^
Given the fact that this has been a long dormant thread (since Sept 2006), you might want to send a PM to AlanC if you are interested in the coat. Welcome to AAAC, juvihrl!

 

[Dieu et les Dames]

Wow, just another prime example of how great this forum is.

 

[juvihrl]

I have sent a message to him as well. This was very interesting for me as well a there is unfortunately very little info out there about his store which was pretty big at the time. 2 of my cousins have opened a clothing store with the name, but it is not the same.

 

[peterc]

I have 2 vintage (from the 60's judging by the cut) Harry Rothman/Eldridge suits. Both are magnificent and fit me beautifully - the way clothes used to fit. Both are 44R - my size.

 

[FromNYtoYou]

I recently picked up one of these coats and am looking to sell if anyone’s interested. I didn’t see an internal size tag but am going to double check. For reference I’m 5’9” 185 lbs and it fits me almost perfectly.