Vintage Spectator Shoes

[Dinerman]

Looks like they've been using that same logo since their inception in the 1920s, so it looks like it's not going to be useful for dating.

And they're still using it, now that they're the K-mart bargain brand.

 

[scotrace]

The narrow sole showing seems more recent-ish? (70's)

 

[Dinerman]

It looks like they used the "the best-selling shoe in all America" tagline in their advertisements from 1953-1956. Tons of ads from those years with that tagline. A couple from 1962 with "the bestselling shoe in America"- no "all". Couldn't find any with that slogan before or after, though it's possible what was printed in the ads and what was printed on the box could have been different.

 

[Tomasso]

I don't think they're 70s McAn because they were making crap by then and these look well made. Plus, the metal heel/toe plates look older.

BTW, what's going on with the toe box?

 

[flat-top]

Silly question but are you sure that's their original box?

 

[Dinerman]

Not sure at all. The shoes are Thom McAn, so is the box. Then again, I've bought '30s Stetsons that come in '80s Stetson Hatboxes and the reverse, so anything is possible.

The seller says the box is original to this pair of shoes, that they were worn when they were new, put away with these shoe trees in them, and weren't touched after that. But I don't think the seller is the original owner, so there's no way to know for sure.

The shoe trees/stretchers might explain the toe.

 

[Guttersnipe]

I don't think those are 70s-does-30s either. The shape, construction, and accessories (laces, taps) all look much older to me than that. The graphic design of the box looks more mid-century than 30's to me but, again, definitely not 70's. Those are some pretty sweet kicks, by the way!

 

[cookie]

It looks like they used the "the best-selling shoe in all America" tagline in their advertisements from 1953-1956. Tons of ads from those years with that tagline. A couple from 1962 with "the bestselling shoe in America"- no "all". Couldn't find any with that slogan before or after, though it's possible what was printed in the ads and what was printed on the box could have been different.

I thought 50s but maybe even 40s with that ventilation thing going on

 

[Johnny J]

1940s Stenchever's Majors Two Tone Shoes

Got these nice brown and white two tones yesterday. The white part seems like they are suede. All of leather is still soft. Can anyone tell me what is the best thing to use to touch up the white parts? Its not cracking at all and I don't want to use something that down the line will crack.

 

[Johnny J]

Just got these in yesterday. Inside they say "Stenchever's Majors". Seller said they were from the 1940s.

 

[cookie]

Just got these in yesterday. Inside they say "Stenchever's Majors". Seller said they were from the 1940s.

Definitely especially with that touch of a spade sole.

 

[Mario]

Lavish!

 

[fluteplayer07]

Suede/nubuck cleaner, I believe. Don't let the brown polish touch the vamp.

Nice catch!

 

[Johnny J]

Suede/nubuck cleaner, I believe. Don't let the brown polish touch the vamp.

Nice catch!

Thanks fluteplayer07!!

 

[HarpPlayerGene]

The white part seems like they are suede.

Those are tremendous! The white part being buck is correct. Much nicer than white colored calf - extra contrast not only in color but in texture too. Classic.

 

[cookie]

Liberty House Winthrop Spectators

 

[Chasseur]

Cookie smashing shoes! Were those made for the old Hawaiian store Liberty House?

 

[cookie]

Cookie smashing shoes! Were those made for the old Hawaiian store Liberty House?

Yes I believe so...now you are taking me back again to the good ole days in HNL...

 

[Johnny J]

Cookie those are just perfect!! Is the white part suede? Mine look like suede. What would you recommend to clean the white with? Mine need a little TLC.

 

[Chasseur]

Fun Hawaii historical fact. Liberty House was the old plantation store for H. Hackfield and Company one of the 'Big Five'. The Big Five was the five largest businesses in Hawaii that essentially used to run the state back in territorial days (you can think of late 1890s-1910s Robber Baron/Gilded Age era). Since H. Hackfield had been founded by a German immigrant to Hawaii when the US declared war on Germany in WWI, the H. Hackfield company was siezed under by Alien Property Custodian. When reformed they renamed the company something really patriotic, American Factors (more commonly known as Amfac), and of course the old plantation store needed a Patriot name too, so... Liberty House! One can think of similar renaming of "German" things during WWI as well in other countries.