Vintage Dress shoe appreciation, tips, maintenance and advice

[HalfHuskyBite]

Dude, what thrift store did you find them in? I only find disappointment and the occasional Dacks or AE.

This value village north of Queensway and Islington.
They are a half size too big so I put on thicker socks

 

[Jiqea]

It is not often we get to see a pair of truly NOS shoes from circa 1950, just as they would have looked in the display case 70 years ago.

Today I received these amazing John McHale signature cap-toes, made for Owens-Elmes, a high end Toronto retailer of shoes and leather goods who opened their doors in 1916 and closed in the late 1980's. On the weekend I showed a black pair of John McHale shoes that were sold by Owens-Elmes. Like those shoes these have John McHale's signature imprinted on the interior at the mid-sole, with the sock-liner reading "Scott Elmes Hand Sewn". Hand Sewn was only used by Scott-McHale in reference to their own line of John McHale shoes between 1946-1949, at least in newspaper advertizing. These shoes also have the John McHale "box-barring" , the small four stitch square on the lacing stay flap. This trait only begins to show up around 1950 on Scott-McHale and John-McHale bluchers. On that basis I think it is likely that this pair dates to right around 1950.

They are very similar to the John McHale "Bomber" cap-toes, with the exception of the custom leather and buckle laces, and the interesting heel nail pattern. While this pair had these up-grades, they do not have the doubled and stitched sock-liner edges that we associate with John McHale shoes and even the Canadian made Florsheim Imperials.

I need to confirm that Scott Elmes was the son of J.T. Elmes, one of the founders of the firm. I have confirmed that Scott Owens, the son of the second founder, C.J Owens, was managing the company through the 50's.

The shoes are 11.5C and will be the flagship of John McHale gunboat navy.

 

[kilowatts]

It is not often we get to see a pair of truly NOS shoes from circa 1950, just as they would have looked in the display case 70 years ago.

Today I received these amazing John McHale signature cap-toes, made for Owens-Elmes, a high end Toronto retailer of shoes and leather goods who opened their doors in 1916 and closed in the late 1980's. On the weekend I showed a black pair of John McHale shoes that were sold by Owens-Elmes. Like those shoes these have John McHale's signature imprinted on the interior at the mid-sole, with the sock-liner reading "Scott Elmes Hand Sewn". Hand Sewn was only used by Scott-McHale in reference to their own line of John McHale shoes between 1946-1949, at least in newspaper advertizing. These shoes also have the John McHale "box-barring" , the small four stitch square on the lacing stay flap. This trait only begins to show up around 1950 on Scott-McHale and John-McHale bluchers. On that basis I think it is likely that this pair dates to right around 1950.

They are very similar to the John McHale "Bomber" cap-toes, with the exception of the custom leather and buckle laces, and the interesting heel nail pattern. While this pair had these up-grades, they do not have the doubled and stitched sock-liner edges that we associate with John McHale shoes and even the Canadian made Florsheim Imperials.

I need to confirm that Scott Elmes was the son of J.T. Elmes, one of the founders of the firm. I have confirmed that Scott Owens, the son of the second founder, C.J Owens, was managing the company through the 50's.

The shoes are 11.5C and will be the flagship of John McHale gunboat navy.

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Wow!! I'm speechless. I hope to find a pair like that every time I look for shoes. What a buy.

kilowatts

 

[friendlygoz]

AE St George monk strap chukkas today.

 

[smfdoc]

It is not often we get to see a pair of truly NOS shoes from circa 1950, just as they would have looked in the display case 70 years ago.

Today I received these amazing John McHale signature cap-toes, made for Owens-Elmes, a high end Toronto retailer of shoes and leather goods who opened their doors in 1916 and closed in the late 1980's. On the weekend I showed a black pair of John McHale shoes that were sold by Owens-Elmes. Like those shoes these have John McHale's signature imprinted on the interior at the mid-sole, with the sock-liner reading "Scott Elmes Hand Sewn". Hand Sewn was only used by Scott-McHale in reference to their own line of John McHale shoes between 1946-1949, at least in newspaper advertizing. These shoes also have the John McHale "box-barring" , the small four stitch square on the lacing stay flap. This trait only begins to show up around 1950 on Scott-McHale and John-McHale bluchers. On that basis I think it is likely that this pair dates to right around 1950.

They are very similar to the John McHale "Bomber" cap-toes, with the exception of the custom leather and buckle laces, and the interesting heel nail pattern. While this pair had these up-grades, they do not have the doubled and stitched sock-liner edges that we associate with John McHale shoes and even the Canadian made Florsheim Imperials.

I need to confirm that Scott Elmes was the son of J.T. Elmes, one of the founders of the firm. I have confirmed that Scott Owens, the son of the second founder, C.J Owens, was managing the company through the 50's.

The shoes are 11.5C and will be the flagship of John McHale gunboat navy.

View attachment 1334811 View attachment 1334812 View attachment 1334813 View attachment 1334814 View attachment 1334815 View attachment 1334816

 

[mormonopoly]

It is not often we get to see a pair of truly NOS shoes from circa 1950, just as they would have looked in the display case 70 years ago.

Today I received these amazing John McHale signature cap-toes, made for Owens-Elmes, a high end Toronto retailer of shoes and leather goods who opened their doors in 1916 and closed in the late 1980's. On the weekend I showed a black pair of John McHale shoes that were sold by Owens-Elmes. Like those shoes these have John McHale's signature imprinted on the interior at the mid-sole, with the sock-liner reading "Scott Elmes Hand Sewn". Hand Sewn was only used by Scott-McHale in reference to their own line of John McHale shoes between 1946-1949, at least in newspaper advertizing. These shoes also have the John McHale "box-barring" , the small four stitch square on the lacing stay flap. This trait only begins to show up around 1950 on Scott-McHale and John-McHale bluchers. On that basis I think it is likely that this pair dates to right around 1950.

They are very similar to the John McHale "Bomber" cap-toes, with the exception of the custom leather and buckle laces, and the interesting heel nail pattern. While this pair had these up-grades, they do not have the doubled and stitched sock-liner edges that we associate with John McHale shoes and even the Canadian made Florsheim Imperials.

I need to confirm that Scott Elmes was the son of J.T. Elmes, one of the founders of the firm. I have confirmed that Scott Owens, the son of the second founder, C.J Owens, was managing the company through the 50's.

The shoes are 11.5C and will be the flagship of John McHale gunboat navy.

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Those are stunners. I’ve seen the leather buckle “laces” in ads from the 40s, but I’ve never actually seen a surviving pair with them. If you ever decide you can part with them, I (and I’m sure most on this thread) would love to help you solve that problem.

 

[wakazuki]

Hello guys, does anyone have experience with Lloyd & Haig? I read david's post on vcleat but would love some other first hand opinions.
I'm on the verge of pulling the trigger for these: https://www.ebay.com/itm/312775873231
I think they are beautiful.

 

[suitforcourt]

92604 to kick start a crazy work week. Original soles and suicide heels intact.

 

[eTrojan]

Black Shell MacNeils. Not particularly vintage. But comfortable. And shiny.

 

[M.Photog]

It is not often we get to see a pair of truly NOS shoes from circa 1950, just as they would have looked in the display case 70 years ago.

Today I received these amazing John McHale signature cap-toes, made for Owens-Elmes, a high end Toronto retailer of shoes and leather goods who opened their doors in 1916 and closed in the late 1980's. On the weekend I showed a black pair of John McHale shoes that were sold by Owens-Elmes. Like those shoes these have John McHale's signature imprinted on the interior at the mid-sole, with the sock-liner reading "Scott Elmes Hand Sewn". Hand Sewn was only used by Scott-McHale in reference to their own line of John McHale shoes between 1946-1949, at least in newspaper advertizing. These shoes also have the John McHale "box-barring" , the small four stitch square on the lacing stay flap. This trait only begins to show up around 1950 on Scott-McHale and John-McHale bluchers. On that basis I think it is likely that this pair dates to right around 1950.

They are very similar to the John McHale "Bomber" cap-toes, with the exception of the custom leather and buckle laces, and the interesting heel nail pattern. While this pair had these up-grades, they do not have the doubled and stitched sock-liner edges that we associate with John McHale shoes and even the Canadian made Florsheim Imperials.

I need to confirm that Scott Elmes was the son of J.T. Elmes, one of the founders of the firm. I have confirmed that Scott Owens, the son of the second founder, C.J Owens, was managing the company through the 50's.

The shoes are 11.5C and will be the flagship of John McHale gunboat navy.

View attachment 1334811 View attachment 1334812 View attachment 1334813 View attachment 1334814 View attachment 1334815 View attachment 1334816

It would be tough to take those out in the wild for the first time.

 

[CWOyaji]

So this morning I put down my coffee and bid on these 1970's Alden 991 black saddle oxfords. No one else showed up, so I won. They're B width but to my eye on the Barrie last, so should fit wider. We'll see.

I think they look to be in really good condition, looking forward to shining them up.

Here are the $5 Cheaney for Paul Stuart captoes from yesterday. I sanded down the rough bits on the toes, worked in some Moneysworth Best dark brown shoe cream and voilà.

Spoiler: As found

 

[vdubiv]

I am soon to move to the Bethlehem, PA area and my son sent me this picture of Main Street in 1935.

View attachment 1333121

Despite the roaring depression, the downtown was full of cars and commerce was happening. People still needed shoes, as I spotted in the lower left corner.

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A lot of Bethlehem has remained almost untouched and looks very much like that picture. One of my favorite brewery's Bethlehem Brew Works in built inside the old Bethlehem Steel Factory. The whole area that has been repurposed at the old Steel Works is worth checking out!

 

[suitforcourt]

Black Shell MacNeils. Not particularly vintage. But comfortable. And shiny.

View attachment 1334881

Black shell is so understated and underrated.

 

[Nealjpage]

Not my listing. Unworn Stetsons.

Vintage Stetson Shoes | eBay

<p>Brand new, have never been worn, very clean. See pictures for more details. Includes shoe keepers.</p>

rover.ebay.com

 

[suitforcourt]

Not my listing. Unworn Stetsons.

Vintage Stetson Shoes | eBay

<p>Brand new, have never been worn, very clean. See pictures for more details. Includes shoe keepers.</p>

rover.ebay.com

Awesome shoes. But I think those are resoled, especially the heels look post-manufacturing installation.