Some Of My Henry Maxwell Shoes

[pejsek]

These shoes made their way to me (via the thrift store, of course) about ten years ago and they are still among my very favorites. At the time I knew little about bespoke shoes; as time goes by I just appreciate them more and more. Not sure if Maxwell really gets their due, but I would put them up against just about anything. Maxwell made a lot of shoes, yet for some reason they are slipping into obscurity. So, if only in the interest of historical preservation (if nothing else), please take a look. Oh, and they fit me beautifully.

Brown Full Brogue. Notice the saturated colors (so different from what we tend to see today). The following three shoes all came from the same customer and bear the Dover Street stamp:

Brown Cap-Toe. Perhaps my favorite shoe--though it wisely holds some of its charm at arms length from the camera:

Full Black Brogue. Same as the brown, but in a glorious black. I just love the lines on this shoe; the graceful curve of the heel, the high cut on the instep side:

Two-Tone Grecian Slippers. Well, they just do not make them like this anymore. How many men commision a bespoke slipper, anyway? The slanted heel on this one is beautiful. From the heady New Bond Street days:

 

[AlanC]

I'm so glad that you and Vintage Gent now have working digital cameras.

I posted a request some months ago for pictures of patinated shoes as we see so many new ones. This is exactly what I had in mind.

 

[EL72]

Nice. After seeing the Mantelassi you nabbed and these, you are hereby proclaimed the World Champion of Shoe Thrifting.

 

[mrchapel]

Beautiful shoes!

 

[pejsek]

Thank you all for the comments. As I look through these pictures again I'm really struck by the quality of the punching on the brogues. Maxwell may not have been terribly interested in giving the foot a sleek or elongated appearance, but they certainly knew how to punch an elegant design.
btw, EL72, I must add that last friday I stopped by the same thrift that has yielded all of my Mantellassis so far and was rewarded by yet another pair--a brand new Norwegian-welted black penny loafer. Very weird. It's actually starting to freak me out a bit (not that I'll stop going or anything).

 

[j]

Originally Posted by EL72

Nice. After seeing the Mantelassi you nabbed and these, you are hereby proclaimed the World Champion of Shoe Thrifting.

If I was in the running, I definitely concede. Thanks for this post.

 

[EL72]

Originally Posted by pejsek

btw, EL72, I must add that last friday I stopped by the same thrift that has yielded all of my Mantellassis so far and was rewarded by yet another pair--a brand new Norwegian-welted black penny loafer. Very weird. It's actually starting to freak me out a bit (not that I'll stop going or anything).

How is that possible? They must come from the same (possible deceased owner. I can't believe there are so many Mantellassis hanging around thrift shops that you happen to find some in your size all the time.

 

[pejsek]

Another brogue, another beautifully executed medallion. This one also marked Maxwell, Dover Street, London, W. Inc. Faulkner & Son:

 

[AlanC]

Pejsek, my wife really likes your couch.

 

[pejsek]

Originally Posted by AlanC

Pejsek, my wife really likes your couch.

Well, please tell your wife thank you, Alan. It's a long couch (about 10') which originally belonged to my grandparents. We had it reupholstered about a year ago in this Clarence House damask (which I unfortunately did not thrift). I think it turned out exceptionally well, in large part because the full pattern is just about the size of each cushion. immsmc, it's a blend of linen, cotton, nylon, and silk which gives it a great sheen and also makes it tough enough that the kids don't have to be too careful.
It didn't occur to me until now that these are all subliminal medallions.

 

[AlanC]

Originally Posted by pejsek

It didn't occur to me until now that these are all subliminal medallions.

She commented immediately that the shoe medallion and broguing went with the couch design.

 

[dkzzzz]

Those shoe laces ought to go.

 

[TimelessRider]

Those brown full-brogues are fantastic.

 

[pejsek]

Originally Posted by TimelessRider

Those brown full-brogues are fantastic.

Thanks. Though they probably made more black shoes than anything else, Maxwell seems to have really excelled at the various shades of chocolate brown. Nowdays the palette has taken a decided turn in the direction of tan.