Vintage Dress shoe appreciation, tips, maintenance and advice

[Nealjpage]

I have a pair of shell Alden for BB that are totally kicking ******. As some may remember, they came to me dried out and caked with polish. I've been stripping them and brushing and brushing and stripping for several weeks now. Here's what's going on: I'll brush the shoes to bring out the oils. The texture of the shell goes from smooth and sort of glossy to waxy and tacky. I can then run a fingernail across the surface and accumulate cordovan-colored wax on my nail. So then I'll break out the nail polish remover (acetone) and cotton balls, scrubbing them good and hard. Most of this accumulation is on the toe caps and vamps. Here's what I'm left with:

After the acetone the shoes are again smooth to the touch. But vigorous brushing brings the wax back to the surface. I bet I brushed and stripped 4 times last night.

What gives? Is that wax I'm bringing out or the shell's oils and dye?

 

[Nealjpage]

Incoming. This was the only picture in the listing. I guess one advantage of working from home is the ability to snag deals that end during office hours.

 

[Bertrand]

Anybpho

I have a pair of shell Alden for BB that are totally kicking ******. As some may remember, they came to me dried out and caked with polish. I've been stripping them and brushing and brushing and stripping for several weeks now. Here's what's going on: I'll brush the shoes to bring out the oils. The texture of the shell goes from smooth and sort of glossy to waxy and tacky. I can then run a fingernail across the surface and accumulate cordovan-colored wax on my nail. So then I'll break out the nail polish remover (acetone) and cotton balls, scrubbing them good and hard. Most of this accumulation is on the toe caps and vamps. Here's what I'm left with:

View attachment 1562647

After the acetone the shoes are again smooth to the touch. But vigorous brushing brings the wax back to the surface. I bet I brushed and stripped 4 times last night.

What gives? Is that wax I'm bringing out or the shell's oils and dye?

perhaps some photos of the shoes?

 

[davidVC]

I pondered all the variables and decided I had just best grab the damn things. I reached out with an offer and waited an hour but did not hear back. With almost any other shoe I would have waited out the auction and tried to snipe them, but I have lost nice shoes before when they suddenly became "unavailable" because someone else made a backdoor deal. I will sleep better knowing they are on their way here, as if I had lost them I would have been seriously miserable. My biggest collecting goal is to have all of my regular rotation shoes be Canadian and from the 50's. That might be impossible, but these shoes help the cause. I will post some better photos after I clean them up. I think they are really going to pop. They have nice bones.

I don't usually regret buying a pair. The regret is always in the pairs I pass up.

 

[JFWR]

I don't usually regret buying a pair. The regret is always in the pairs I pass up.

I have to believe we are all addicts here, cause I have the exact same feeling.

 

[Nealjpage]

Anybpho


perhaps some photos of the shoes?

As you wish.

 

[suitforcourt]

I have to believe we are all addicts here, cause I have the exact same feeling.

I can stop anytime. I don't have an addiction.

 

[Nobleprofessor]

So... ummmm. If one of you guys are gonna drop some crazy coin on a pair of old shoes (like more than $100, for example). This would be a good pair to snag. These are not mine but I'd strongly encourage any 9E to watch this auction.

Florsheim Imperial 93605 Shell Cordovan Long Wing Dress Shoes Sz 9E NWOT | eBay

<p>Florsheim Imperial #93605 Shell Cordovan long wing brogue dress shoes. They are in near mint condition, having been tried on but not walked around in. They are a size 9E; see all pics for measurements of the sole. Unfortunately I do not have the original box.</p>

www.ebay.com

My Prediction Is those will go over $400. Maybe even over $500

 

[friendlygoz]

I can stop anytime. I don't have an addiction.

Yeah, me too. I’m in complete control. Never tempted. Each time I say I’m going to stop and I don’t it’s because I changed my mind. So what...

 

[friendlygoz]

Apropos our convo about the most expensive shoes we’ve purchased... I paid $42 shipped, after a large partial refund for these Florsheim Stratfords. They are a grail pair. I figured I’d do a recraft and I’d have a like-new pair. Tony Wyatt of Wyatt and Dad fame has them and is going to do the recraft plus some repairs. He and his colleagues do amazing work for a reasonable price. But, man, after the recraft and repairs these have become my most expensive vintage shoe purchase by a lot. This may cure my addiction for a bit.

 

[Nobleprofessor]

Rare model alert NOT mine. Varsity made from 1965-early 70’s.

Vintage Florsheim Imperial Longwing Brogues 30679 Men’s Size 8.5 D | eBay

<p>Brand: Florsheim </p><br><br><p>Size: 8.5</p><br><br><p>Color: Brown</p><br><br><p>Condition: Pre-Owned Condition </p><br><br><p>Please see all pictures!!!</p>

www.ebay.com

 

[Nealjpage]

Yeah, me too. I’m in complete control. Never tempted. Each time I say I’m going to stop and I don’t it’s because I changed my mind. So what...

I've been on a vintage watch buying binge over the past few days. Honestly, I don't know how many I've bought. I feel like I'm huffing paint.

 

[Bertrand]

As you wish.

View attachment 1562735

View attachment 1562737

Looks pretty good! Doesn’t look dry?

 

[Nealjpage]

Looks pretty good! Doesn’t look dry?

Nope. They're not dry any more. Now they're just waxy.

 

[stook1]

My Prediction Is those will go over $400. Maybe even over $500

For sure over 400. I think it's likely they will go over 500 as well. I was being sarcastic.