Vintage 1933-1946 selvage Jay R. Smith cotton denim apron New Orleans selvedge

Description

Sale is for your selection of one of these two items. Message me with selection in along with your offer.
Condition description followed by researched details about these items.
CONDITION: Be careful if washing these as they are very old. Cold delicate wash or spot clean otherwise the printing may fade.
DETAILS: I spent a couple hours researching online as much as I could to try to pin down an accurate date of these aprons. Here's what I found. The company on the left was founded in 1926 and was large enough to expand broadly by the mid 1930's. The headquarters was established in Newark, N.J. in 1933 and then moved to another facility in Union, N.J. in 1946 before finally settling in Montgomery, AL years later.. Neither of those cities in N.J. are the city printed on the apron (New Market, N.J.). That's one indication that the apron might be from an interim period sometime between '33 and '46. Another indication is that the founder Jay L Smith died in 1942 and the company passed to his son Jay R Smith that year. Unless he named the company after his son then chances are these are from after 1942.
I could find no information on RICHARD B. "DICK" GELDERT in any New Orleans archives, which leads me to believe these are pretty old. The building at 1728 Howard Avenue, New Orleans no longer exists and has not been around in any recent record of New Orleans historic warehouse district. My guess is it was demolished sometime in the late 1960's after Hurricane Betsy.
The print font looks like other war-era 1940's printings, in my opinion. New Orleans was a massive hub for the war effort and it would make sense that a manufacturing company (Jay R. Smith did lots more than just plumbing) would set up there for a short time between 1940-1945.
My best guess is that this item was manufactured sometime between 1942 and 1945. The yarn comes from American supima cotton which would explain the lack of slub in the weave. The longer and stronger micro strands of cotton that the supima strain of cotton produces allows for a tighter thread of yarn. It's a fairly dark indigo with very little nep showing through. Medium-weight. Beautiful light blue selvedge ID.
*************
I believe items should be built with pride and made to last. I like things that build character as they endure, and like a top grain leather or raw denim; they will look even better with age. Whether replacing a shirt button, patching a hole on a pair of jeans, or resoling leather shoes - my goal is to send you an item that you love while breaking away from the trend of disposable clothing.
Message me if you have any questions. All of my items are genuine and authentic. I sell mainly new with tag items but my used items are always good condition AT MINIMUM. Extreme discounts are available on top brands. Thank you for taking the time to view my items, I hope you enjoy!
Please complete payment within 48 hours of purchase. Automated unpaid item assistance is turned on and a case will be opened through eBay for unpaid items or unpaid item(s) may be canceled and relisted after 48 hours at discretion.
**Shipped from a smoke and pet free environment**