Vintage Spectator Shoes

[Johnny J]

Do you have a buck bag?

Yes, I do. I will be sure to use it.

 

[cookie]

Yes, I do. I will be sure to use it.

Gentle wipe with wet cloth. Not too much pressure. You don't want to knock off the existing white and thus expose yellow buckskin. Let dry. Reapply buck bag with a dabbing/tapping motion. Spend some time removing white overspray on the leather wingtip instead.

 

[Johnny J]

Spend some time removing white overspray on the leather wingtip instead.

What can I use for that and how can I do this? I showed my cobbler and he wasn't sure how.

 

[cookie]

What can I use for that and how can I do this? I showed my cobbler and he wasn't sure how.

A wet cloth and elbow grease.

 

[Johnny J]

Nunn Bush - The Parade

I got these about a year ago and I don't think I ever posted them up. I had to do some repairs on the rear top heal part, but they sure are wearable!

 

[Johnny J]

What? Middle of summer and no new vintage specs to post?

 

[Isshinryu101]

What? Middle of summer and no new vintage specs to post?

Hey, Johnny! So sorry to finally respond to you! Summer has been very crazy and you also know about my daughter's appendix operation. Thanks for being good friend and keeping in touch. Great norwegians you posted above, and I see you got those knapps from FF. Congrats, my friend. Keep it up! I am so busy I haven't taken any pics of shoes I wear myself, only items I have selected for friends and clients. I will try to make some posts before summer's end. Take Care and keep up the postin'!

 

[Johnny J]

Thanks Iish! The Norwegians might be my favorite vintage specs. My wife and I went to see John Pizzarelli last night in Hollywood, Ca and I wore these shoes. After the show we were able to talk to him and he really flipped over the shoes! His wife Jessica Molaskey said "my husband would steal those from you in a minute!"

 

[Tomasso]

Sweet specs, Johnny!

 

[cookie]

I got these about a year ago and I don't think I ever posted them up. I had to do some repairs on the rear top heal part, but they sure are wearable!

Ah yes Norwegians with a spade sole....does not get better. Maybe a little conditioner... looking from afar.

 

[Johnny J]

Thanks A.C.L. and Cookie! I do wish they were in better condition. Still a couple of areas on the inside that I need to repair, but I could continue to wear them. Maybe some day another pair in better condition will come up.

 

[cookie]

Just finished rehabbing a pair of 1930s spectators from Marshalls and gave them the test run at a Shanghai Nights party. Probably first time they had been off a dance floor in what 50 years?

Classic sign of 1930s shoes is narrow width around the lacing area. So a D width looks like a C.






Interesting saddle leather treatment = like Russian calf



Someone used them as a wall feature = hence the (repaired) holes in the soles! Notice the unworn 1930s heel pads.



Exquisite hand done punching on the toecap. Such finesse!



What was remarkable about these was that they were not dry - even the fine lambskin interiors.

I stripped them lightly with thinners/stripper than applied Collonil Diamond/1909 to replenish colour and oils and then some coats of Pecards to remedy the cleaning and rehydrate them.

 

[Tomasso]

Beauty!

 

[Isshinryu101]

WOW! Someone actually has posted a pair of REAL vinatage shoes on the vintage website... and AWESOME ONES TOO!!!!

 

[GWD]

1930's Allen Edmonds spade soles (Empires)

 

[cookie]

Expecting these 1980/90s McAfees soon for summer use. Practically NOS and made by C&J.

 

[Tomasso]

Sweet! Kindly post a pic of the soles when you get a chance.

 

[Isshinryu101]

1930's Allen Edmonds spade soles (Empires)
View attachment 5467

May we see some sole shots as well as interiors and better angles, please?

 

[GWD]

May we see some sole shots as well as interiors and better angles, please?

 

[cookie]

Wonderful spades!