Vintage Dress shoe appreciation, tips, maintenance and advice

[friendlygoz]

It’s amazing to think about the fact that there are still GH out in the world to be discovered. They only made from 1965-79. And they probably were not nearly as popular as 93602 or other colors. It’s getting harder and harder to find really minty Florsheim even the models they made tons of.

I have never seen a pair of NOS GH. But, I’m guessing somewhere a pair is lurking. Most likely forgotten by an old man. Let’s hope when they are found that his kids don’t just Chuck them.

This does beg the question, which is more valuable, a NOS Golden Harvest or a NOS 93605.

I had three in my possession at one point (I'm blatantly boasting here). I traded w/ @Thomas Crown for a better size and sold off the other two pairs. They are very cool shoes, but I felt like only needed one in my rotation.

 

[mormonopoly]

It’s amazing to think about the fact that there are still GH out in the world to be discovered. They only made from 1965-79. And they probably were not nearly as popular as 93602 or other colors. It’s getting harder and harder to find really minty Florsheim even the models they made tons of.

I have never seen a pair of NOS GH. But, I’m guessing somewhere a pair is lurking. Most likely forgotten by an old man. Let’s hope when they are found that his kids don’t just Chuck them.

This does beg the question, which is more valuable, a NOS Golden Harvest or a NOS 93605.

I might know where a pair of NOS golden harvests is hiding

 

[sam67]

With the arrival of spring weather, I've been wearing these 1960s Bostonian woven wingtips. View attachment 1587852 View attachment 1587853 View attachment 1587854 View attachment 1587855

Funky!

 

[Nobleprofessor]

I might know where a pair of NOS golden harvests is hiding

Seriously? Maybe I don’t need to make my mortgage payment this month. Tell me more! PM SENT! Now I’m going to be refreshing this page until I get carpal tunnel.

 

[eTrojan]

I am liking these shoes more and more.
View attachment 1585052
Copeg by Scholl

@ZePrez -- how do you find the sizing? I vary between an A-width and AA-width, depending on the last. The pair of COPEGs that I have are an AA, and a fair bit snug. I'm currently watching a pair in a B-width, and I just don't have enough context to know whether the A would be fine and the B too much, or...if the B would work fine for me.

I know I can probably wear the B-width with thick socks -- I did that with dress shoes for years, since A's were hard to come by. But the style I'm looking at is very formal, and I would prefer to wear thinner dress socks.

So, from your experience, are they true-to-size in width? Or do they run wide or narrow, compared to other shoes?

 

[mormonopoly]

Here’s a quick pic. They’re size 11.5D, but I don’t currently plan on selling them. I bought them a few years ago off of shopgoodwill.

 

[smfdoc]

Seriously? Maybe I don’t need to make my mortgage payment this month. Tell me more! PM SENT! Now I’m going to be refreshing this page until I get carpal tunnel.

Just to add to your pain. But they were not in your size.

 

[Nobleprofessor]

Here’s a quick pic. They’re size 11.5D, but I don’t currently plan on selling them. I bought them a few years ago off of shopgoodwill. View attachment 1588452

Oh my gosh. They do exist! You need to build a shrine for them. A NOS GH! It’s like finding a treasure map! I can’t believe with all the discussion about the GH lately you have managed to keep quiet. If you ever decide to sell, please let me know. I have two good kidneys. Hell, I have 5 kids. Who needs 5? The two youngest are sort of overachievers. But, one of the first 3 would be good.

 

[Nealjpage]

It’s amazing to think about the fact that there are still GH out in the world to be discovered. They only made from 1965-79. And they probably were not nearly as popular as 93602 or other colors. It’s getting harder and harder to find really minty Florsheim even the models they made tons of.

I have never seen a pair of NOS GH. But, I’m guessing somewhere a pair is lurking. Most likely forgotten by an old man. Let’s hope when they are found that his kids don’t just Chuck them.

This does beg the question, which is more valuable, a NOS Golden Harvest or a NOS 93605.

To be honest, I struggle to believe that ANY shoes can make it 50+ years without being worn. I mean, yeah, it's happened. I've owned a few NOS pairs myself. But why would someone shell out hard-earned cash for expensive Florsheim shoes and never wear them?

 

[Nobleprofessor]

To be honest, I struggle to believe that ANY shoes can make it 50+ years without being worn. I mean, yeah, it's happened. I've owned a few NOS pairs myself. But why would someone shell out hard-earned cash for expensive Florsheim shoes and never wear them?

I have a couple pair of NOS shoes from late 70’s and they are great. The owner took care of them and stored them appropriately. I was concerned at first and made sure to condition them immediately.

as for the reason people buy them and set them aside? I have no idea. Maybe it’s the same reason people buy a car (just an ordinary version not some collectible car) and then park it.

 

[happypebble]

It's a big world out there. Something the size of a shoe box can get lost in the clutter and never used. I'd like to thank the former owners of my deadstock-till-I-got-them, late sixties/early seventies Charles Chester oxfords and City Club monkstraps for keeping them pristine for me. Oh, and that fabulous pair of Weyenbergs that I haven't yet had the courage to wear...they're pretty.

 

[mormonopoly]

I have 48 pairs of NOS shoes rangigg by from the 1930s-80s. I don’t know how it happens, but they’re definitely out there.

 

[happypebble]

I have 48 pairs of NOS shoes rangigg by from the 1930s-80s. I don’t know how it happens, but they’re definitely out there.

If I had Donald Trump money, I would model my shoe collection on yours. Mine is much more humble; still, there's much pleasure to be derived from it.

 

[ZePrez]

@ZePrez -- how do you find the sizing? I vary between an A-width and AA-width, depending on the last. The pair of COPEGs that I have are an AA, and a fair bit snug. I'm currently watching a pair in a B-width, and I just don't have enough context to know whether the A would be fine and the B too much, or...if the B would work fine for me.

I know I can probably wear the B-width with thick socks -- I did that with dress shoes for years, since A's were hard to come by. But the style I'm looking at is very formal, and I would prefer to wear thinner dress socks.

So, from your experience, are they true-to-size in width? Or do they run wide or narrow, compared to other shoes?

Fit is excellent. I wear usually a 9.5D or 9E. These are 9E and they fit like a glove. They have a considerable amount of arch support. The shoe also flexes well when you walk, somehow like a sneaker... most interesting way. The way you walk with these is different from many shoes, equal to some JR sole.
A very well made pair of shoes. They (Copeg Scholl) were unto something the public may have missed. The Copeg are also elegant, with the slight patina/darkening around the broguing and the general look of the leather and the color. They have become my goto longwings for smart or office casual with or whithout suits ... but, here is the quandary: I like to wear them but don't want to wear them out . There is no way this pair will have to suffer a re-sole. Not sure there are any cobbler out there capable of refitting those wood pegs ... You can tell I am in love with these shoes .. These longwings along with a pair of (likely Bostonian but could be Hanover) Shell Cordovan PTB, are the best bargain I got in my foray into vintage shoe collecting: $50 each.
The Copeg fit well.
The Bostonian are too big 10 D but .. Yeah! I wear them! Regardless

 

[stook1]

Curious if anyone from the brotherhood snagged the 10.5D NOS Macneils that cleared Ebay last night? Haven't seen too many NOS AEs from that period and I'd debated throwing my hat in the ring but wasn't sure about the size and truly do not need them. I have some regrets on the grain pair since they went for a good price. No regrets on the shell pair since they fetched a pretty lofty price for AE (gorgeous color, no doubt).