In this book, the very first ever published on Stifel, we tell the story of the life and legacy of the Stifel family, who for over 100 years produced the finest calico fabrics in the United States.

Today, work clothes made from Stifel wabash fabric are considered the Holy Grail. These blue fabrics with white polka dots, marked with the boot symbol, fetch very high prices on the vintage market. Why do they fascinate us so much? Why have they become so precious?

We tried to answer these questions by interviewing everyone who is passionate about Stifel, whether closely or remotely: collectors, historians, textile specialists, vintage dealers, and even descendants of the Stifel family.

We spoke with Joan Stamp, great-granddaughter of founder Johann Ludwig Stifel, as well as with historians Dave Javersak and Terry Terrell, collectors Bryan Shettig, Takeshi Watanabe, Akira Tsuchida, Bryan Lin, Kinji Teramoto, and many others.

Even Mike Wolf, star presenter of the show American Pickers , who himself owns a rare pair of Stifel overalls, gave us his opinion on this brand.

Every page of this book reminds us how the will of one man, who left home to pursue his dream, changed the destiny of an entire family, an entire industry, and continues to have an impact nearly two centuries later.

And other surprises to discover...