Vintage Dress shoe appreciation, tips, maintenance and advice

[mormonopoly]

Did Roblee make a good product? Is it possible that we don't see as many because they weren't as recraftable as other brands?

The roblees I have are quite nice. I think we don’t see many because they made pretty bad shoes after the 60s and folded earlier than the companies we see commonly.

 

[jebarne]

These are interesting. The uppers look like shell and the cheap rubber sole also states Genuine Shell Cordovan. The stitching on the back of the left heel is terrible and the rubber sole is not a good sign. But, he is asking a reasonable price even though it is a cheap sole. I would also note that the Shell Cordovan Model website DOES list three pairs of shell for Jarmin. (That is an Update. Dang alphabet is hard and tricky.)

I found Freeman Shell last week. Condition was below the threshold I would buy, including dry rotted threads, but the model number isn't on the Shell Cordovan model.

I took the photos so I could submit the model to the list.

 

[JFWR]

I agree that vintage Florsheim Shell are the best. I would also add Alden.

Sometimes Alden doesn’t get mentioned because they still make high quality. There are certainly other quality shoes that were made by lesser known companies. But, they would be pretty old. At one point (a long time ago), Nunn Bush made quality shoes. Johnston Murphy if they are old enough would be good.

One company that made really high quality premium shoes that runs under the radar somewhat is Footjoy. They did use Shell Cordovan, but not as much as other brands. Footjoy was also known for high quality exotic shoes.

I have some vintage Footjoy. But, I have never seen any Shell Cordovan Footjoy in person.

I will definitely have to pick up some of these other shoes as well.

I have a pair of slightly older Aldens, but I wouldn't call them Vintage. I also bought (and sold as it didn't fit me) a pair of Tailor Made shell cordovans from the early 60s.

I'll definitely see if I can get some Floersheims! I really, really like my Hanovers.

 

[JFWR]

I love my Florsheim shell. Well worth finding a pair. What size are you looking for?

I wear 11.5 EEE or 12 EEE. Sometimes I can get away, in cordovan, with an E in size 12.

 

[smfdoc]

I wear 11.5 EEE or 12 EEE. Sometimes I can get away, in cordovan, with an E in size 12.

Thanks. I wear the same and I will keep that in mind when it comes time to move some pairs.

 

[JFWR]

Thanks. I wear the same and I will keep that in mind when it comes time to move some pairs.

Superb! Thanks friend.

 

[Nealjpage]

I will definitely have to pick up some of these other shoes as well.

I have a pair of slightly older Aldens, but I wouldn't call them Vintage. I also bought (and sold as it didn't fit me) a pair of Tailor Made shell cordovans from the early 60s.

I'll definitely see if I can get some Floersheims! I really, really like my Hanovers.

I have a pair of Taylor-Made shell LWBs that I really like. They've been resoled at one point, and they were covered with black polish when I got them, but they cleaned up well and are in my regular rotation.

 

[JFWR]

I have a pair of Taylor-Made shell LWBs that I really like. They've been resoled at one point, and they were covered with black polish when I got them, but they cleaned up well and are in my regular rotation.

They looked great when I got them, but sadly too small for my feet. I gave 'em to someone who really appreciated them, though.

 

[Hotel Cali]

@davidVC et al.

I am curious about these Florsheim Royal Imperial Warwick 97611.

Are these the 70s successor to the Stratford 97606?

What are your opinion on them?

Even the back heel has a similar look.

Vintage Royal Imperial Florsheim Men’s Shoes NOS 97611 Warwick Wing Brown Sz 12B | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Vintage Royal Imperial Florsheim Men’s Shoes NOS 97611 Warwick Wing Brown Sz 12B at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

[davidVC]

I haven't owned a pair and they are fairly rare but they do appear to be similar to the Stratford. The bull nose is the biggest difference. The model was made for a few years in the early 1970s.

It is probably a well constructed shoe. Florsheim was still making decent shoes then.

The style though is just a bit too much for me.

 

[meister]

@davidVC et al.

I am curious about these Florsheim Royal Imperial Warwick 97611.

Are these the 70s successor to the Stratford 97606?

What are your opinion on them?

View attachment 1468275

View attachment 1468276

Even the back heel has a similar look.
View attachment 1468277

Vintage Royal Imperial Florsheim Men’s Shoes NOS 97611 Warwick Wing Brown Sz 12B | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Vintage Royal Imperial Florsheim Men’s Shoes NOS 97611 Warwick Wing Brown Sz 12B at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

One of their best ever colours...IMHO

 

[Joe Wohkittel]

Those probably weren't the final sale price. The final price for the most recent sale was $120, even though the eBay listing still says $17.

I dunno. I bought the shell J&Ms for $39.

 

[JFWR]

Wore my vintage Hanover LB Sheppherd cordovan LWBs last night. Comfort and beauty.

 

[Joe Wohkittel]

Hi Guys:

I have and have had the following:
Florsheim shell LWB and PTB
Alden shell chukka
AE shell Leeds PTB
Hanover shell PTB and LWB
Barrie Ltd. shell PTB made in England by some Northampton firm.

I can't see much difference between them, apart from the obvious design and proprietary construction methods. All are excellent shoes which would cost a lot at retail today and which I'm glad to have owned at knock down prices. I have to say that I'm kind of through with shell, though. I guess having the most expensive shoes in the room must mean something to people though, although I prefer to have the best quality for the least price! That's why we're all here and not a retail Alden/bespoke shoe site, eh?

Another point:

I've noticed some prices being mentioned for used shoes on the site in amounts I feel are extremely high. This is not a rant or a criticism, but for many years my upper level was around $US30.00 and for that I have had several pairs of NOS vintage gems. I have a very hard time condoning much more than ten to fifteen cents on the retail dollar for anything used of any kind and in my opinion shoes are no exception. If I wanted to pay more there are many retail stores where I could do just that. Further, while I no longer haunt eBay as much as I did, I see prices climbing higher and higher. I believe this to be the fault of the buyer who is prepared to pay high prices in the auction process allowing flippers to thrive. No problem with flippers, no problem with auctions but the solution to high prices is to pay less or do without.
Just a thought, guys.

kilowatts

I'm a collector. I don't buy based on what I have use for. This is my hobby. Supply is limited and nonfungible with new shoes. Demand continues to grow, so I pay higher prices. That's just how it is (to me).

 

[hamercha]

I haven't owned a pair and they are fairly rare but they do appear to be similar to the Stratford. The bull nose is the biggest difference. The model was made for a few years in the early 1970s.

It is probably a well constructed shoe. Florsheim was still making decent shoes then.

The style though is just a bit too much for me.

I have bull nose longwing by the Brown Shoes made in Canadian with more than an inch of heel height. Are all bull nose and high heel made in 70s?