Vintage Dress shoe appreciation, tips, maintenance and advice

[sam67]

If Peal & Co. produces for Brooks Brothers is it American sizing or English?

 

[MJMcRibb]

If Peal & Co. produces for Brooks Brothers is it American sizing or English?

View attachment 1562032

They should be US size. Those appear to be Alfred Sargent.

 

[sam67]

They should be US size. Those appear to be Alfred Sargent.

I dont see AS anywhere. Would it be labeled? thanks, more info-

 

[MJMcRibb]

I dont see AS anywhere. Would it be labeled? thanks, more info-

View attachment 1562039

Seen enough to know based on the script of the sizing/last. And no, none of the makers that I know of include their name on BB shoes.

 

[ccpl14]

Seen enough to know based on the script of the sizing/last. And no, none of the makers that I know of include their name on BB shoes.

While on the subject, RIP Alfred Sargent.

News - Alfred Sargent in liquidation - Shoegazing.com

The famous British shoemaking firm Alfred Sargent has gone bust. After not being able to pay its debts and becoming insolvent, the company was put in

shoegazing.com

 

[Jiqea]

Well I tied my own record for how much I would pay for a vintage shoe at $400CDN (about 320USD), but these 1952-1958 S,E. Dacks "Cambridge" U-wings are my preferred size (10.5D) and I will never see another pair, so what the hell. Life is short.

The advert is from 1953, although that pair has grommets while mine has blind eyelets.

 

[Nealjpage]

I had Mrs. Nealjpage's car detailed today and wore my shell Imperials for Wingtip Wednesday when picking it up.

 

[Nealjpage]

I’m trying to figure out the age of these. Unfortunately, the heel has been replaced during a total restoration. I think the date code is JA. That would mean 1960, 1970, or 1980. (I know they are not 1990). Vcleat says that if the numbering looks old and is black, it is likely 1960’s. Is there another way to date these?

View attachment 1561929


I really don’t need another pair of 93605. But, I’m trying to convince myself not to buy them and the date seems relevant.

What does the front edge of the heel liner look like?

My hypothesis is that the front edge is serpentine shaped on older pairs and straight on newer pairs.

 

[CWOyaji]

There's an Edward Green happening going on over at the Luxeswap thread. The owner of Luxeswap, who is also the founder of the thrift thread, bought out a Brooks Brothers wholesale lot and is taking indications of interest. Lots of funny shoe related banter and some gifs

 

[Nealjpage]

There's an Edward Green happening going on over at the Luxeswap thread. The owner of Luxeswap, who is also the founder of the thrift thread, bought out a Brooks Brothers wholesale lot and is taking indications of interest. Lots of funny shoe related banter and some gifs
View attachment 1562243

Thanks for the hot tip.

 

[ashynastyclassy]

Well I tied my own record for how much I would pay for a vintage shoe at $400CDN (about 320USD), but these 1952-1958 S,E. Dacks "Cambridge" U-wings are my preferred size (10.5D) and I will never see another pair, so what the hell. Life is short.

The advert is from 1953, although that pair has grommets while mine has blind eyelets.

View attachment 1562135 View attachment 1562136 View attachment 1562137 View attachment 1562138
View attachment 1562145

Have you seen those $600 pair of Santoni from Nordstrom!? These are an awesome get, no thrifts prices but meh what you going to do

A goal of acquiring 20 stellar pairs at the average cost of $200-300 is really not a big reach IMO, especially if you’ve got the feet to enjoy them for the next 20 or even 10 years

 

[ashynastyclassy]

Does anyone have any info on when the moniker of “Imperial” was first used in marketing? Be it for Florshiem or any other shoe maker

Maybe this has been answered before, it’s a long thread. @davidVC maybe already covered this?

 

[Jiqea]

Does anyone have any info on when the moniker of “Imperial” was first used in marketing? Be it for Florsheim or any other shoe maker

Maybe this has been answered before, it’s a long thread. @davidVC maybe already covered this?

The earliest reference I could find was from a Wilmington, NC paper in 1869 (below). In the late 19th and early 20th century "Imperial" was a ladies brand/ the ad below is from 1899.

The earliest reference that I see to the Florsheim Imperial is from 1906.

1906

 

[ashynastyclassy]

I don’t like posting stuff I don’t have in my hands yet, especially with the way things are going with the post office and all. I did lost a pair of gator slip in’s. I picked up a pair of Taylor-Made “Imperials” patent and suede boots that looks more like the 20s/30s than 40s that I’m trying to date

@Jiqea
With your edit, it confirms more likely than not they could be circa 40s

 

[Pedlar]

While on the subject, RIP Alfred Sargent.

News - Alfred Sargent in liquidation - Shoegazing.com

The famous British shoemaking firm Alfred Sargent has gone bust. After not being able to pay its debts and becoming insolvent, the company was put in

shoegazing.com

There has been an update: https://shoegazing.com/2021/02/22/interview-paul-sargent-of-alfred-sargent/