Vintage Dress shoe appreciation, tips, maintenance and advice

[Jiqea]

I finally ordered a bottle of Renomat. The instructions are pretty unclear. Is it to be used as a spot treatment or to clean the whole shoe? It says to leave the cleaner on the surface for 15 minutes. Then what? Use a damp rag to wash off?

Pretty much all of the good shoe care products have a youtube instruction video (or several).

 

[sam67]

Is the curling of this footbed a big deal? Isn't this piece replaceable? Should this dissuade me? thanks

 

[suitforcourt]

Is the curling of this footbed a big deal? Isn't this piece replaceable? Should this dissuade me? thanks

View attachment 1511059

I had a pair like that. I ripped that piece out, sandedn it down, and had a cobbler reglue for me. I am sure I could have glued it myself, but he was already doing some other work for me.

 

[Hotel Cali]

@davidVC et al, can you help me identify this Florsheim model?

Vintage FLORSHEIM Men's Brown Leather Wingtips Goodyear Sole Size 7 E | eBay

Green Dragonfly Cellars. B632d2p The item pictured is the item you will receive. Excellent used condition. Toe Marks. See photos.

www.ebay.com

I thought it was a 93602 but upon arrival, I realized that it is not. The model number is no legible from being faded. It has smooth leather instead of pebbled calf. The leather seems coated but did absorb water. It seems there is the white contast welt stritchinh either. It is likely pre-1970 with the felt tongue pad.

 

[davidVC]

@davidVC et al, can you help me identify this Florsheim model?

Vintage FLORSHEIM Men's Brown Leather Wingtips Goodyear Sole Size 7 E | eBay

Green Dragonfly Cellars. B632d2p The item pictured is the item you will receive. Excellent used condition. Toe Marks. See photos.

www.ebay.com

I thought it was a 93602 but upon arrival, I realized that it is not. The model number is no legible from being faded. It has smooth leather instead of pebbled calf. The leather seems coated but did absorb water. It seems there is the white contast welt stritchinh either. It is likely pre-1970 with the felt tongue pad.

View attachment 1511098 View attachment 1511099

It looks like a Florsheim 93644. Its a rare model.

 

[Hotel Cali]

It looks like a Florsheim 93644. Its a rare model.

Thank you. I was guessing bookbinder and was still reviewing your site info. Your published 1969 catalogue shows 93644 Bookbinder Bourbon as much darker. These have a lighter bourbon color.

I was able to see some numbers of the model.

 

[joman8390]

Florsheim 93606s.

 

[Oshare]

Interesting pair of NOS Florsheim Venetian loafers popped up on auction in Japan today. They caught my eye as a curiosity, but I will definitely pass on these.

They are labeled "The Florsheim Shoe by Edifice" and a bit of Googling shows that this 11180 series was made in India, probably using a coated calf leather.

Anyway. For the shoe pr0n.

 

[suitforcourt]

Here is a great example of a pair of Indian made Florsheims, that are decent and likely rivalled any American made pair of the same period. I believe these were made in the early 90s. Stitching looks consistent, and QC fairly tight on final results. Goes to show that it doesn't matter where shoes are made. It's all about the company's desire to maintain quality and reputation.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Florsheim-Black-Leather-Long-Wingtip-Lace-Up-Oxford-Shoes-Mens-Size-8-5-EEE-3E/383755380661hash=item59599a67b5:g:tJIAAOSw2vBfffA6

 

[smfdoc]

Is the curling of this footbed a big deal? Isn't this piece replaceable? Should this dissuade me? thanks

View attachment 1511059

I had a pair like that. I ripped that piece out, sandedn it down, and had a cobbler reglue for me. I am sure I could have glued it myself, but he was already doing some other work for me.

I have glued such pieces myself. Nothing fancy. just lightly sand down the old glue and then use rubber cement to glue it back down. It works just fine for my needs.

 

[Quantum17]

Here is a great example of a pair of Indian made Florsheims, that are decent and likely rivalled any American made pair of the same period. I believe these were made in the early 90s. Stitching looks consistent, and QC fairly tight on final results. Goes to show that it doesn't matter where shoes are made. It's all about the company's desire to maintain quality and reputation.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Florsheim-Black-Leather-Long-Wingtip-Lace-Up-Oxford-Shoes-Mens-Size-8-5-EEE-3E/383755380661hash=item59599a67b5:g:tJIAAOSw2vBfffA6

View attachment 1511146 View attachment 1511147 View attachment 1511148 View attachment 1511149 View attachment 1511150 View attachment 1511151 View attachment 1511152 View attachment 1511153

I’d like to quote my mullet acquaintance when told the McRib was back: “Murica”. However, I have to agree with her in this case. American style would be better if made in Murica. It’s like Tampa phở is fine, but Ha Noi phở always have a special place in my tummy... Lots of food theme related here. I think it’s lunch time. Yes, we are having phở, and the kids MickeyD ?

 

[hamercha]

I have glued such pieces myself. Nothing fancy. just lightly sand down the old glue and then use rubber cement to glue it back down. It works just fine for my needs.

Foot bed curling could be sign of dry foot bed as well and leather in general. I noticed this on my shoes I kept in my attic and non-heated garage for a while. When you glue it back, make sure you rehydrate your shoe as well.

 

[Hotel Cali]

1960s Florsheim 93644 Bookbinder Bourbon cleaned up. Mine is more whiskey or caramel color.

Not sure how to moisturize them since they are bookbinder. Is moisturizing even needed?

 

[Hotel Cali]

1969 Floersheim 93602 avocado re-dye. Was aiming for more olive but dark avocado is ok. Maybe they will fade out to olive.

 

[Jiqea]

I picked up a little pair of John McHale black Bomber cap-toes today; size 6 D. These are the smallest John McHale Custom shoes that I have seen. It is nice to find a pair in black. For some reason you will find 10 pairs of these in brown for each that you find in black. They should clean up well. I will post some photos next week when they arrive.