Vintage Dress shoe appreciation, tips, maintenance and advice

[Hotel Cali]

Switched to these 60s Urner black derbies for a sushi dinner.

 

[BAK]

Cheap thrift store find - Alden Shell Cordovan 8.5 E. Other heel reads "Tom Austin Biltmore Hotel" - so I think this was a specialty shoe store at one point.
Pretty rough looking at first, but they cleaned up a little with some saddle soap and then some AE shoe cream. One thin coat of Venetian shoe cream and some brushing. Leaving them alone for a few days, but will continue brushing them up. Need to consider whether to take to a cobbler for some hidden eyelet fasteners. Haven't tried them on, but I normally wear 9D, so they may work. Not bad for $7.99? View attachment 1780139 View attachment 1780140 View attachment 1780141 View attachment 1780142 View attachment 1780143 View attachment 1780144

If you're interested there's some history on Tom Austin here. They were a longtime dealer of Alden and Allen Edmonds.

 

[suitforcourt]

During this Easter weekend our little thread passed through 3,000,000 views, and the world is better for it. Carry on.

Your leadership and inspiring spirit has driven us to make this the community that it is.

 

[CWOyaji]

Less than 24 hours to go; my bet is $380, anybody else in?

 

[hamercha]

I was looking for some very thin leather insoles to put in some of my vintage shoes, and recently ordered a pack of these pigskin insoles from Amazon. They are sold in sets of 4 pairs for about $16. I just tested a pair in my 93602s today, and first impressions were good.

I wanted something made from leather that would minimize the feel of the previous owner's footprint without changing the fit, and these checked all the boxes. I like how these are just thin pieces of leather with no added foam or anything like that.

They are trim-to-fit up to EU size 45. Without any trimming they fit well into my 11C Florsheims.
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Does it make squeaking sound?

 

[greekgeek]

I will predict much higher ... ~$550

Last one went $650. I think that was the high water mark.

View attachment 1780146

Wow! Thats wild. I really need to get to listing my NOS pair in 11C.

 

[MathMan314]

Does it make squeaking sound?

My 93602s were not squeaking, but my 96624s are. Hmmm. Perhaps these will not be an ideal insole after all...

 

[memoriastoica]

Wow! Thats wild. I really need to get to listing my NOS pair in 11C.

I'll take those off your hands.

 

[JFWR]

Less than 24 hours to go; my bet is $380, anybody else in?
View attachment 1781602

Not my size and, to be frank, as much as I know everyone loves these shoes, the golden harvest is exactly the kind of colour I can never wear...ever.

Like straight up ever.

Honestly, these should sincerely go for like, 800 dollars. There aren't many NWB Golden Harvests around.

 

[slimjohnil6]

If you're interested there's some history on Tom Austin here. They were a longtime dealer of Alden and Allen Edmonds.

Interesting article. Thanks for that reference!

 

[smfdoc]

Less than 24 hours to go; my bet is $380, anybody else in?
View attachment 1781602

Good estimate. I will play over/under. I say over $380.

 

[smfdoc]

Happy Monday forum pals. Starting off the week with PTBs. L.B. Sheppard signature.

Speaking of which, there is a NOS Hanover L.B. Sheppard in shell, size 10B on Poshmark. Available for the low, low price of $800! Link, not my sale.

 

[suitforcourt]

A vintage pair of shell MacNeils made prior to the most recent last call on this model. JR graffiti soles, toe taps, and grommets give them some life.

 

[greekgeek]

Good estimate. I will play over/under. I say over $380.

Those soles look extra funky, i think the sole leather might be toast and will need replaced. Looks like a humidity/condensation issue over the years of storage.

Uppers and liners do look great though. Might be superficial to the soles and just fine, but the associated side view and shrinkage gives pause.

I'll take those off your hands.

I will take some pics!

 

[CWOyaji]

I picked $380 because that's what I sold a pair of Golden Harvest for a while back. They were in better shape than these though. The corrosion these have on the nails in the soles is a concern for sure. Anybody else got a view on the final price?