Dacks and other Canadian shoe brands

[lbgradwell]

Well, I am never getting into a shoe collection comparison with @Jiqea, but I do own a pair of the v2 brown Cambridges and an anniversary pair of the black:

 

[zeromus]

Thanks for everyone's help before on the red-brown shoes I found online. Met in the middle and got them for around 150 which might be a bit higher than a great deal that Jiqea noted about selling similar pairs for around $100 but, for $150 I don't think I could do much better on my budget right now for a pair of good quality shoes that fit as well as these do in a red forward shade of brown.

Now I just need to find a matching shade of shoe polish, they're not super dark so I'm not sure if I would call them burgundy. Gonna have to go to a decent local cobbler in Ottawa with a variety of options to try and match.

And decide what colour suit to wear them with for a wedding this summer. I don't fit into my old suits and I'm down to my own black wedding suit as far as what fits me now 😅

Any suggestions on suit is well appreciated too

 

[lbgradwell]

And decide what colour suit to wear them with for a wedding this summer. I don't fit into my old suits and I'm down to my own black wedding suit as far as what fits me now 😅

Any suggestions on suit is well appreciated too

You can wear any suit with those shoes; it's a very versatile shade.

 

[lbgradwell]

Someone posted this old photo on a Toronto history group on Facetube a few days ago:

I recognized the view as facing NE, and the street as King Street West.

If you zoom in to the yellow circle, you can just make out the Dack's signage at 73 King Street West along with "100 YEARS". There's other verbiage too, but I can't read it...

Judging from the cars visible, I think this shot was taken in the very early 1960s, but stand to be corrected.

As an interesting bit of trivia, the lovely 1929 Art Deco building almost directly across the street from the Dack's shop is the old Toronto Star building. In the 1930 shot on the previous page in this thread, one can make out "THE STAR" on the extreme left above the automobile.

Some of you may know that this building was Joe Shuster's inspiration for the Daily Planet building in Superman.

It should come as no surprise that the Man of Steel would doubtlessly have shod himself in Dack's while Clark Kent with the store so conveniently located.

​

 

[suitforcourt]

Ok. Who bought this amazing pair???

Vintage FLORSHEIM IMPERIAL V-Cleat Shell Cordovan Wingtip Dress Shoe Sz US 9.5 D | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Vintage FLORSHEIM IMPERIAL V-Cleat Shell Cordovan Wingtip Dress Shoe Sz US 9.5 D at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

[lbgradwell]

I don't know, but the seller appears to know nothing!

Those shoes were made in Canada, not the USA. They are obviously not V-cleats, and I would be VERY surprised if they're Shell!

 

[suitforcourt]

I don't know, but the seller appears to know nothing!

Those shoes were made in Canada, not the USA. They are obviously not V-cleats, and I would be VERY surprised if they're Shell!

I think they're shell. Found the buyer.

 

[Jiqea]

I think they're shell. Found the buyer.

They are shell. Likely made as a special make up for Spence's in Calgary in the early 60's. I have seen three pairs now. I have confirmed through Skip Horween, who kindly checked their shipping records at the request of Brett Viberg, that they never shipped their shell to Canada. Horween did ship small batches of shell to Dack's in 1935, 1952 twice, and 1953.

Below is a pair of shell McHales from the 50's, and an advert from 1963 for shell Florsheims from Spence's in Calgary. I have never seen any other Canadian shell adverts for Florsheim.

 

[lbgradwell]

They are shell. Likely made as a special make up for Spence's in Calgary in the early 60's. I have seen three pairs now. I have confirmed through Skip Horween, who kindly checked their shipping records at the request of Brett Viberg, that they never shipped their shell to Canada. Horween did ship small batches of shell to Dack's in 1935, 1952 twice, and 1953.

Below is a pair of shell McHales from the 50's, and an advert from 1963 for shell Florsheims from Spence's in Calgary. I have never seen any other Canadian shell adverts for Florsheim.

Wow. Very cool!

 

[Dit_rich]

Just an interesting pair I saw this weekend. I didn't pick it up - have enough bluchers for a lifetime and the outsoles felt a bit soft even being double ones. Uppers though were nice, of a very soft pliable leather, thick too (like some expensive leather jackets almost). Never seen a sole stamp like that. Says, If I am getting it right "Florsheim of Dacks & Brown"...

 

[suitforcourt]

Just an interesting pair I saw this weekend. I didn't pick it up - have enough bluchers for a lifetime and the outsoles felt a bit soft even being double ones. Uppers though were nice, of a very soft pliable leather, thick too (like some expensive leather jackets almost). Never seen a sole stamp like that. Says, If I am getting it right "Florsheim of Dacks & Brown"... View attachment 1912299 View attachment 1912301 View attachment 1912303 View attachment 1912305 View attachment 1912307

Florsheim, by Duckie Brown. A premium line made in India. I've handled a pair. They are certainly better made than the main models.

 

[Dit_rich]

Duckie Brown

That makes sense. I was quite confused how could Dacks & Brown manufacture shoes together...
A bit unfair by Florsheim not to mark them as made in India. I could've missed it though.

 

[suitforcourt]

Last day of 2 day course. But rainy day so pulled out my Dacks that Pablo Hadarits upgraded with sole protectors and cat paw heels. The CG leather and upgrades make them great rainy day shoes while still offering the formal look.

I bought these for $2 at a thrift store once I applied some coupons and codes. They were lightly worn and size is 8.5G. The last is a bit wide which gives me freedom to wear thicker socks if needed.

If I ever wear out the soles, I'll likely get them rebuilt with Vibram 430 soles.

 

[suitforcourt]

Hartt PTBs in Prairie oxhide on a sunny day.

 

[suitforcourt]

After getting into watches about 2 years ago, I find myself using the watch as the centerpiece of my ensemble.

Salmon dial Seiko mod with matching tie, shirt, and socks.

The shoes are vintage Florsheim, by John McHale. Manufactured in London ON and rebuilt by a cobbler there. My friend who is a patina artist applied his famous museum pattern to give the shoes new life.

Happy Friday, shoe pals.