Vintage Dress shoe appreciation, tips, maintenance and advice

[CWOyaji]

Thanks for the info, these definitely seem to be on the narrow side. Were yours also Gator? Also, on my other vintage Nettleson's, they are marked Nettleson on sole. These appear to say "cox shank"? with what appears to be a patent number?not really sure, maybe they are MTO?

View attachment 1540520

The soles are original. Here’s my pair:

 

[vestbash]

The soles are original. Here’s my pair: View attachment 1541003

Good to know, thanks for correcting me.

 

[CWOyaji]

Forgot to post this recent ebay find: Scott’s shell PTBs for personal.

Not sure about the manufacturer, but the sole stamp matches a pair of ET Wright shell wingtips that I own. @Oshare has those with Bostonian branding, probably made by Hanover. So I can’t be sure. Mine sure are mint though, for $99.

 

[Oshare]

So, what's the story on these?

I haven't pulled the trigger yet. The shoes are not expensive, but international shipping jacks the cost up another 150%.
Normally I would consider having them sent to my US address and picking them up later, but with the ongoing pandemic I have no idea when that would be.

 

[sam67]

Did Velvet-eez and Executive Imperial exist together (Mason) or were they exclusive lines ? This looks like the Ex. Imperial logo. Hard to see in the pic but I can make out the canon when I'm holding it (I think). Was velvet-eez an arch feature?
thanks

 

[eTrojan]

Did Velvet-eez and Executive Imperial exist together (Mason) or were they exclusive lines ? This looks like the Ex. Imperial logo. Hard to see in the pic but I can make out the canon when I'm holding it (I think). Was velvet-eez an arch feature?
thanks

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I think these are Executive Imperials, perhaps after they EOL’d the Velvet-eez line and incorporated the branding as a feature


My Velvet-eez has actual Velvet-Eez branding on the heel. The other unique aspect is the 2-piece long wing. These are incredibly comfortable, with a very cushioned insole.

My Executive Imperials have the cannon and soldier and “By Mason” like yours. And a single piece longwing, which differentiates it from the velvet-eez externally.

 

[sam67]

The seller does not know what brand these boots are but I have seen this heel once before. Cant recall what on though. Is it brand specific?
View attachment 1374723

Hi. I’ve seen that heel on Lehigh safety shoes. It’s possible that GT was a heel maker like O’Sullivan. Could be on a variety of shoes.

 

[sam67]

I think these are Executive Imperials, perhaps after they EOL’d the Velvet-eez line and incorporated the branding as a feature


My Velvet-eez has actual Velvet-Eez branding on the heel. The other unique aspect is the 2-piece long wing. These are incredibly comfortable, with a very cushioned insole.

View attachment 1541270
View attachment 1541271
View attachment 1541272

My Executive Imperials have the cannon and soldier and “By Mason” like yours. And a single piece longwing, which differentiates it from the velvet-eez externally.

View attachment 1541273
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Thank you. Very helpful.

 

[happypebble]

Re above: I just love my black Executive Imperials. I look at them and can see very little difference in quality between them and my Florsheim 92604s. Makes me want a pair of Velvet Eez.

 

[Nealjpage]

I haven't pulled the trigger yet. The shoes are not expensive, but international shipping jacks the cost up another 150%.
Normally I would consider having them sent to my US address and picking them up later, but with the ongoing pandemic I have no idea when that would be.

I mean, what's the model, age, etc.? I've never seen anything like those before.

 

[Nealjpage]

Fellas, I need some input on these vamp ripples. This is that desiccated pair of Alden for BB that I bought recently. I finally rehydrated the shell enough to where I felt comfortable inserting trees, and I chose a pair that wasn't overly snug.

The toe sits pretty flat, so I'm not sure what's causing the deformity.

I'm contemplating a water soak and tighter trees. I've done that with a pair of calf Imperials before and it worked pretty well. But I've never done it with shell.

Any thoughts?

 

[CWOyaji]

Personal preference, but I think the rolls are pretty minimal and would instead try to gently brush off the orange peel texture on the vamps, near the stitching. I think rolls add character. As long as they’re not deep enough to trap grit in the creases, which can turn abrasive and cause cracking, I wouldn’t push smoothing them out. BTW here’s that pair of 93605s from last week.

Bossy people on Facebook were telling me to rub them with a deer bone, but I don't feel like it.

These trees fill out the vamps but aren't chunky enough to crack them.

Easy does it with old shell. I've only treated these with running water, VSC and Leather Milk so far.

 

[suitforcourt]

Personal preference, but I think the rolls are pretty minimal and would instead try to gently brush off the the orange peel texture on the vamps near the stitching. I think rolls add character, and as long as they’re not deep enough to trap grit in the creases, which turn abrasive and cause cracking, I won't push smoothing them out. Here's that pair of 93605s from last week. View attachment 1541632
Bossy people on Facebook were telling me to rub them with a deer bone, but I don't feel like it.
View attachment 1541633
These trees fill out the vamps but aren't chunky enough to crack them.
View attachment 1541634
Easy does it with old shell.
View attachment 1541635

You did great. Don't worry about what others think.

Otherwise, I'd be a cardiologist and weigh 20 lbs lighter. And driving a Mercedes instead of a Honda.

 

[friendlygoz]

Attn 9.5D brothers... never seen shark Florsheim Imperial short wings. Wow. Not my listing.

https://posh.mk/ti74hjR4hdb

 

[woofmang]

Attn 9.5D brothers... never seen shark Florsheim Imperial short wings. Wow. Not my listing.

https://posh.mk/ti74hjR4hdb

Interesting that the description says "new in original box" and the box pictured is an Allen Edmonds box...