Vintage Spade Sole Shoes

[Lefty]

Why is it so elusive in modern shoes?

It's around but, in styleforum parlence, I'm a smalltimer.
Check out the G&Gs, Edward Greens, Lobbs, and various other beautiful, car-priced shoes all over this SF thread.

 

[AlanC]

Those are just overwhelming in their perfection.

.


Not mine, but they must be seen to be believed!


Deadstock, from the 1930s. American. Brown kip suede with brown calfskin piping. Incredible!

Nice Vass, Shooman.

 

[mike]

It's around but, in styleforum parlence, I'm a smalltimer.
Check out the G&Gs, Edward Greens, Lobbs, and various other beautiful, car-priced shoes all over this SF thread.

Painful! But good to know, thanks! :eusa_doh:

 

[cookie]

.

Kip suede is "snuff" suede?...please advise.

I love the delicate piping... the look the spade sole gives the shoe but more than anything the finish...the "waist" that you find only on bespoke shoes at USD1000 + these days.

 

[Tomasso]

the "waist" that you find only on bespoke shoes at USD1000 + these days.

Or cowboy boots.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Kip suede is "snuff" suede?...please advise.

In this context, kip means the untanned hide of a calf, lamb, or other young or small animal. Perhaps inaccurately, the shoebox says "Brown Kip Lace Oxford."


On this pair of shoes, the so-called kip leather has a look and texture that is very similar to "nubuck": top-grain cattle rawhide leather that has been sanded or buffed on the grain side, or outside, giving it a slight nap.


.

 

[cookie]

Or cowboy boots.

Yeah that is why I am going to have some of my spade sole shoes copied in Bangkok soon by one of the famous cowboy boot makers that have been making them for the Middle East oil workers since the 70s. They still use the spade sole on the cowboy boots with the beautiful finished 'waist' like Marc's pix.

 

[Benny Holiday]

My new favourite shoes, courtesy of Cookie

I dig those white brogues, Gene!

My good mate Cookie has sent plenty of great pairs of shoes my way, and here are the daddies of 'em all. Crosby Square spade soles, deadstock:

Many thanks Cookie, these shoes are a real gem!

Time for me to head off to Melbourne for the next couple of days, catch you all on the weekend!

 

[PADDY]

Those Crosby Squares...

Are to die for!! My goodness, those are just beautiful. Where on earth did you manage to dig those NOS beauties up...?

 

[Tomasso]

WOW!

Looks like they've been hermetically sealed.

 

[cookie]

NOS Crosby Squares as they were posted

Those shoes have been given a big Pecards bath but were and are perfect. They came (not surprisingly) from some woman in Philadelphia. Don't ask me why they were not dry and brittle. Fact is they were perfect in every way.

Here was the original eBay photo:




Benny, thanks for those photos...they are a wonderful addition to the Fedora Lounge corporate (vintage US shoes) knowledge.

Anyone want to date them?

 

[The Shooman]

These old Crosby spade shoos are AMAZING!!! Double machine stitched soles, hand welted and hand lasted, and even the sole at the waist is stitched by hand. Some of the best constructed shoos you will ever see, better construction than many of the upper end shoos.

 

[HarpPlayerGene]

Yeah, Benny, those Crosbys are BUILT. Fantastic looking! You must be thrilled.

And the only thing better than the fact that they are NOS is that you are actually wearing them as they were intended. Good for you! :eusa_clap

 

[Cane Rod Maker]

Excellent !

These shoes are terrific looking. Where can a guy look to find vintage shoes, in size 10.5 or 11 EE. Are there any specific places where you guys shop on line?

Any help on the subject?
Thanks

I dig those white brogues, Gene!

My good mate Cookie has sent plenty of great pairs of shoes my way, and here are the daddies of 'em all. Crosby Square spade soles, deadstock:

Many thanks Cookie, these shoes are a real gem!

Time for me to head off to Melbourne for the next couple of days, catch you all on the weekend!

 

[Feraud]

These belong to Benny Holiday

as seen in this thread.
http://thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=4505&page=47

 

[davestlouis]

I personally just think they look cool. I can't imagine that there is any functional benefit.

 

[cookie]

Spade Soles Photo Inventory

Cane Rod Maker has asked me to post my inventory of spade sole pictures.

Here goes:

Cole Haan







French Shriner & Urner:







Stetsons:

 

[Cane Rod Maker]

Spades

Those all are some fantastic looking shoes Cookie. Thanks ! :eusa_clap

 

[fluteplayer07]

Beautiful!! :eusa_clap

 

[cookie]

More of Same

Marcs famous Edwin Clapp Specs:





Johnston & Murphy Famous Handmades:



Suede in Spade:



Thomas McCann Spades:



Marc's Croc Spades: