The Future of Nowak Leather

[jnicktem]

I just wanted to inform everyone here that Tony Nowak's business will continue through his step-son, Riley. Riley has worked with Tony for a very long time and knows the business and how to make jackets identical to the ones Tony made.

It's very nice to see Tony's legacy live on through his step son!

[Noah]

This is nice to hear that his business will continue. It's also good to hear that his step son can make jackets identical to the ones made by Tony.

I hope to see some jackets!

[zmarty]

im really happy its still in business. now i dont have to worry about finding one of his on ebay haha

[New Yorker Jones]

Thanks for sharing Nick. Glad to see his legacy and work will carry on.

[New Yorker Jones]

I spoke to Riley, he said its better to speak over the phone than go through email. Also be prepared the prices have gone up. I thought the price was $750 and was told $950. This was for a cowhide CS or Raiders 747. Better start pinching those pennies or seeing what else I can sell on ebay.

[Biker Jacket Jones]

Uh oh. The domain www.tonynowak.com/ has been acting funky here of late. A few days ago, it started showing plain error pages with the title "Domain Not Valid". Now, you've just got a redirect to a tony.com--and while I was in the process of typing this post, the website then just turned into your typical domain squatter page. Check out the URL that used to be the page showcasing his Indy IV jackets. Not good, huh?

On another note, anyone with a deep pocket may want to look at this eBay listing. Cowhide's not my thing, but someone may want to take a gander.

Raiders of the Lost Ark Jacket, made by the late great Tony Nowak

Tony made the jackets for Harrison Ford in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.

He was at some time given access to a couple of screen used Hero jackets from Raiders of the Lost Ark (allegedly with George Lucas' knowledge) and went about recreating the jacket in its every detail.

This is jacket 747 of 888. It is made of a superb soft cowhide known as 747 Cowhide. It was a hand-made custom order and has the name of the original recipient embroidered into the lining with the LE number.

I wish I could keep this terrific jacket, but I am currently forced to sell most of my cherished collectables. Beautifully hand-crafted and lightly distressed by Tony himself, who very sadly passed away a few weeks ago.

Tony Nowak was a true gentleman and a master craftsman and he will be sorely missed.

The jacket was made exactly as per Harrison Ford's Hero jacket, so it should fit you like it fit him in the movie, if you are sized anything like he was in the early 80s.

I have worn it a couple of times and it was pretty much kept in a cupboard by its previous owner, it honestly deserves to be worn regularly and to see some action.

Approximate measurements in Inches:

* Front / stormflap - 23" /58.5cm
* Shoulder seam - 7" / 18cm
* Sleeve - 24.5" / 62cm (Note: I suspect Harrison Ford's jacket in 1980 might have had an extra 0.50" or 0.75" or so, in sleeve length)
* Back - 23"
* Chest (Armpit to armpit, zipped, layed flat) - 20.5" - 52cm
* Across upper back (Shoulder to shoulder) - 20"
* Across Horizontal back seam (Yoke seam) - 19.25"

The back is short and the shoulders are loose fitting, while the chest has a slight pinch. Very distinct jacket shape unique to the Raides jacket, this is possibly the only Raiders jacket that was exactly copied from a Hero jacket and not a stunt jacket or a recreated pattern. Even the wavy zipper was copied!

This is a great investment for the collector as it will likely appreciate in value with the years, but I sincerely hope the winner of this jacket gives it the use it deserves.

Please check all measurements and ask all questions before placing your bid, as I do not accept returns.

Payment:

Within 3 days of auction end, please. Need more time? Just let me know, beforehand.

Postage:

UK Postage is signed for and insured; I will gladly combine postage if you win any other items I have listed this week. No pickups.

INTERNATIONAL:

Payment in UK Pounds Sterling by Paypal.

--

Placing a bid means you agree to the above terms, if you don't agree then don't bid.

[Pennsylvania Jones]

SCREAMIN' WILHELM!!! THAT'S A GREAT DEAL FOR A TONY NOWAK JACKET!!! FORGET THE G&B!!! THIS EBAY LISTING IS THE MOST AUTHENTIC JACKET IN THE $500-$600 BALLPARK!!!

Of course, if it's not in your size, then you'll just have to settle for another, slightly less authentic jacket.

And about the site: SCREAMIN' WILHELM!!!

Steven

[Biker Jacket Jones]

Er, that's 590.00 GBP. eBay says that that translates to $922.35, though I should also point out that the seller, tumblingdice73, makes a point that he will donate 10% of the final sale price to Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity, probably to make you feel better about plopping nigh $1,000 on an article of clothing, though that probably wouldn't matter to anyone seriously considering buying a Tony Nowak jacket in the first place.

[Pennsylvania Jones]

Oh. Now that makes more sense.

Still, I hope Riley puts up the new site soon.

Steven

[Biker Jacket Jones]

They've apparently dismissed any notion of using the www.tonynowak.com/ domain again, since they apparently sold it or let it lapse, letting the domain squatter get it. Domain squatters are the ultimate signal of death for a particular domain. One does not typically sell a domain like that, only to probably pay more just to get it back--assuming that they can even get it back in the first place.

[Pennsylvania Jones]

Ah, so that's what they're called? Domain Squatters? Well, whatever they are, they're annoying. The new site will probably be www.rileynowak.com, but who knows if he'll even put up a site? Has anybody had any contact with him?

Steven

[MaX]

Very distinct jacket shape unique to the Raides jacket, this is possibly the only Raiders jacket that was exactly copied from a Hero jacket and not a stunt jacket or a recreated pattern.

I don't get it. Was it actually screen used or not? I thought the price was because it was screen-used, but it's actually because it's a TN?

Edit: Just re-read the whole thing, I realize it wasn't screen used. I just thought some of the stuff he wrote pointed to it.

[pagey]

Ah, my old jacket. The original 747 which then gave the name to that kind of leather.

[jnicktem]

Speaking of Riley Barrie at Tony Nowak Originals... I should be getting my Raiders Jacket in shrunken lamb soon!

[Pennsylvania Jones]

Congratulations! Keep us posted!

Steven

[Noah]

Looking forward to seeing pics of it!

[grahamson]

Aug 26, 2010 20:06:43 GMT -5 Noah said:

Looking forward to seeing pics of it!

Have you been able to contact Riley to make sure he's still making the jacket?

[jnicktem]

Riley told me just 2 weeks ago that he was about to start on my jacket.

[jnicktem]

UPDATE: Riley sent me an e-mail today saying that my jacket is finished and is being sent out today! I should have it by the end of the week!

[Pennsylvania Jones]

I'm looking forward to the pics.

Steven

[Noah]

Congratulations jnicktem!

[New Yorker Jones]

Nick, hope it fits you and turns out great. Treasure it as it will be one of the last few made by Riley.