Vintage Dress shoe appreciation, tips, maintenance and advice

[Nealjpage]

Dude, that sucks.

I actually have a couple pair of shell that are out of rotation until I have a chance to do a full glycerin treatment. I’m still trying to source Dowicide antimicrobial to add to the distilled water/vegetable glycerine solution.

I'm not sure if Dowicide is even available for consumer purchase any more. The active ingredient in Dowicide is/was pentachlorophenol (PCP, but not to be confused with angel dust), which is a carcinogen, and often an environmental contaminant found at wood preservation facilities.

 

[Nobleprofessor]

I really like any NST. I think the grain pattern on these makes them even more interesting.

 

[ccpl14]

Did any of you snatch the NOS 93603 off eBay this morning. Nice score

 

[mormonopoly]

Here’s a pair I’ve been wearing lately. These are 1940s CH Baker shoes. I don’t often see broguing on split toe shoes, so that makes these pretty unique.

 

[smfdoc]

Here’s a pair I’ve been wearing lately. These are 1940s CH Baker shoes. I don’t often see broguing on split toe shoes, so that makes these pretty unique. View attachment 1344155

Those are really unique, as you well know. Super sweet. I would wear them frequently as well. Never seen the brogue on the side like that.

 

[Paul902]

It has been a fruitless start to the week for me while thrifting. Here are a couple pairs or Florsheim I left behind:

First some 10EEE by McHale. They are a nice black PTB in kudu, but they had three strikes: 1) no laces (easily rectified) 2) missing a sock liner (could add a leather insole, but still makes it a tough sell) and 3) the single leather was starting to get thin under the ball of the foot. Shame...were nice shoes.


Also in the wide dept these 8.5 3E loafers. They looked a little tired, and black loafer are slow movers. I was curious as to when these would date to. They had a green Florsheim tag in the side window, and some green inner stitching. I had not seen that before.

 

[smfdoc]

We love many vintage items and revel in finding NOS gems from the 1970s. It is amazing that some of these made it to 2020 in an untouched condition. It's like they fell into a time capsule or something. Well, homes can also be time capsules and in nearly NOS condition. Like this 1974 beauty that is currently for sale in Ramona, CA. The owner was the condo developer, did not live in it, sold it a few years later to a couple that only used for a vacation home once a year and now its for sale by their children. Link. I do not want to buy it, but I would not mind going through the closets, just in case. The furnishings come with the house.

 

[CWOyaji]

Nettleton 4063 shell, in the most eggplant aubergine color of any shoe I own.

 

[suitforcourt]

We love many vintage items and revel in finding NOS gems from the 1970s. It is amazing that some of these made it to 2020 in an untouched condition. It's like they fell into a time capsule or something. Well, homes can also be time capsules and in nearly NOS condition. Like this 1974 beauty that is currently for sale in Ramona, CA. The owner was the condo developer, did not live in it, sold it a few years later to a couple that only used for a vacation home once a year and now its for sale by their children. Link. I do not want to buy it, but I would not mind going through the closets, just in case. The furnishings come with the house.

View attachment 1344240

View attachment 1344241

Is that a good price for that area? I have no concept of real estate prices, except the Toronto area bubble won't burst.

 

[smfdoc]

Is that a good price for that area? I have no concept of real estate prices, except the Toronto area bubble won't burst.

Yeah, that is actually a low price for the area. It’s a condo on a golf course and many of the places around it are even higher. This is why there are multiple offers already.

 

[suitforcourt]

Yeah, that is actually a low price for the area. It’s a condo on a golf course and many of the places around it are even higher. This is why there are multiple offers already.

I think the furniture is pretty awesome. I guess I am old at heart.

 

[eTrojan]

I'm not sure if Dowicide is even available for consumer purchase any more. The active ingredient in Dowicide is/was pentachlorophenol (PCP, but not to be confused with angel dust), which is a carcinogen, and often an environmental contaminant found at wood preservation facilities.

I had one salesman quote me $1,400 for a 50 lb bag. I think I need about 6 oz. so I politely turned him down.

I’m checking with our hazmat squad at the university. If there’s any on campus, it’s likely registered. Maybe I can buy a small portion from a professor. I only need 6 oz.

I did finally get a response from one of the Smithsonian’s fabric preservationists, but she specializes in wool. So she forwarded my note to the leather experts. But she recommended against glycerine solutions for wool — it leaves the fibers sticky.

 

[Raimar]

Florsheim PTBs with new rubber heels and sole protectors.

Would these be worth it?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/114122840503

 

[Nealjpage]

I had one salesman quote me $1,400 for a 50 lb bag. I think I need about 6 oz. so I politely turned him down.

I’m checking with our hazmat squad at the university. If there’s any on campus, it’s likely registered. Maybe I can buy a small portion from a professor. I only need 6 oz.

I did finally get a response from one of the Smithsonian’s fabric preservationists, but she specializes in wool. So she forwarded my note to the leather experts. But she recommended against glycerine solutions for wool — it leaves the fibers sticky.

I'll just slink down to the local sawmill and see what I can dredge up for you. It might be in the form of contaminated topsoil, however.

 

[Nealjpage]

Would these be worth it?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/114122840503

View attachment 1344325

Based on the condition of the Achilles area, I would say they're overpriced.