VINTAGE SILK ALOHA SHIRT - PAULINE LAKE, ROYAL HAWAIIAN Start Price USD 4,099.99 Current Price USD 4,099.99 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price USD 4,500.00 Reserve Price - Start Time Tuesday, August 26, 2008 End Time Sunday, August 31, 2008 Location Portland, OR See more about 'VINTAGE SILK ALOHA SHIRT - PAULINE LAKE, ROYAL HAWAIIAN' Description SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL, VINTAGE, 100% SILK, HAWAIIAN ALOHA SHIRT Label(s):  Pauline Lake at The Royal Hawaiian   Size/Measurements:  Large to Extra-Large                                     Front and Back Chest Width – 24 ½ inches / 28 inches                                     Front and Back Shoulder Width – 18 inches / 18 ¼ inches                                     Front and Back Length – 29 ½ inches / 33 ¼ inches                                     Sleeve Length and Circumference Opening – 10 ½ inches and 16 inches                                     Collar Circumference Opening – 16 ½ inches   Fabrication and Design Info:  100% Silk.  The style of this shirt is sometimes called a “beach comber”  - loose and long, with pockets on the front near the bottom hem.  The collar is similar to earlier styles, but it is difficult to put an exact date on this shirt.  The sleeves have a stitched down cuff and additional quality tailoring features on this shirt include selvage ends under the front button and buttonhole facing areas, lower side vents, zigzag stitched pattern to reinforce the inner collar band, a collar loop and button, and double-stitched French seams.   Buttons:  All original coconut shell buttons, including the one at the top for the collar loop.   Condition:  Excellent.  No holes or frayed ends.  There are two tiny stains on the front and one discoloration on the back, under the left sleeve – all very faint and very hard to see.  Please check the photographs where these are pointed out.  A few stitches are wearing out, noticeable only from the inside, on a side seam.  Again, please check the close-up photographs.   Print:  A gorgeous Japanese or Asian inspired design with:  Cream color ground with depiction of snow-topped mountains in background, possibly Mount Fuji, and Japanese characters written next to and overhead. Village house showing a Samurai warrior with his horse, talking to a male villager, and a female villager nearby. Enlarged depiction of a Samurai's ancient, traditional box style quiver, with kumihomo cords and feather-tipped arrows (note: the Japanese art of archery is called "Kyudo"). Enlarged depiction of what looks like a straw hat with silk trim on the edges and kumihomo cords.  Circa/Era:  Late 1930s to early 1940s.  Beginning in the late 1930s, Aloha shirts were made out of silk imported from Japan.  The use of silk fell off with the advent of World War II and the main fabric used became rayon.  Pauline Lake was one of the important early contributors at the beginning of this time period, and maintained a shop in the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, according to Robert C. Allen in the book, “Creating Hawaii Tourism” (page 219).   Prints showing Japanese, or Asian, scenes are typically from the 1930s and date to before WWII.  Silk shirts are exceedingly rare and difficult to find in large sizes and excellent condition.    Provenance:  I purchased this shirt in the early 70s from a tiny, now defunct, vintage store in Phoenix, Arizona.  It was worn only two or three times and has been stored away in a dresser drawer for over 25 years.  It has been gently hand-washed and pressed for this presentation on Ebay.   NOTICE:   I DO NOT ACCEPT RETURNS AND PROVIDE REFUNDS - THIS IS A HIGHLY COLLECTIBLE AND VALUABLE VINTAGE ITEM.  IT HAS BEEN DESCRIBED AS CAREFULLY AS POSSIBLE.  PLEASE REVIEW ALL INFORMATION BEFORE BIDDING OR BUYING.  IF YOU REQUIRE MORE INFORMATION OR PHOTOGRAPHS I AM VERY HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE OR SEND YOU ADDITIONAL PHOTOGRAPHS. Place a Bid!