Lilli Ann Labels: History and How to Date Them
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Lilli Ann was a San Francisco maker of elaborate suits and coats, founded in 1933 and closed by 2000. The words on its labels, especially the post-war addition of "Paris" and the names of French fabric mills, help date a coat within that long run.
Company history
The Vintage Fashion Guild (VFG) records that Adolph Schuman started Lilli Ann in San Francisco in 1933, naming it for his wife, Lillian. After the Second World War he went to France to buy fabric, and labels from that time added "Paris"; many also carry the name of the French factory that made the fabric. The 1960s brought a Lilli Ann Knits line and a mod-inspired London line, and the 1970s a career look. Schuman died in 1985; the company was sold in the 1990s and closed by 2000.
Label timeline
| Label or clue | Approximate dates | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| Lilli Ann, San Francisco | From 1933 | The company's whole span |
| "Paris" added, often with a French mill name | After the Second World War | Post-war production |
| Lilli Ann Knits, London line | 1960s | Later lines |
What it helps date
- Swing coats and suits with "Paris" labels fit the late 1940s and 1950s.
- Check the zipper and lining construction: date by construction.
Values
Our vintage coat and fur values guide puts the middle half of 18 auction results for Lilli Ann (1940s to 1960s) at about $60 to $210, with a 1950s plush swing coat at about $357; swing coats and early labels lead (Barnebys). Prices are estimates as of 2026.
check sold prices for lilli ann vintage coat on eBay
Sources
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Guides that mention Lilli Ann
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