Vintage Spectator Shoes

[Michaelshane]

I don't have these in my hands yet,I'm hoping its liquid shoe polish,If it's leather dye then I"ll try acetone.I'll post pictures of the whole process.

 

[Michaelshane]

So here's the shoes.Just as I suspected,dyed black.Acetone treatment called for.I can live with the gray mesh if I have to,but I think I'll try to bleach it out tomorrow.

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[cookie]

Mission Accomplished

So here's the shoes.Just as I suspected,dyed black.Acetone treatment called for.I can live with the gray mesh if I have to,but I think I'll try to bleach it out tomorrow.

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You would have got around USD90 on eBay before the GFC for those if the size was largish. Top job!

A recent purchase from SFer seller Distinctive:

J&M Aristocraft Saddles in Burgundy

 

[H.Johnson]

The answer is mild Acetone. But please refer to Style Forum posting on Ron Rider and antiquing for better instructions.

Acetone will remove polyacrylate dye from real leather very effectively. I have used it to get back to almost a 'natural' finish on leather. It's agressive stuff - make sure you know what you are using it on first. And it has a very low flash point and will make you 'squiffy' so its best used outdoors.

 

[La Julia]

So here's the shoes.Just as I suspected,dyed black.Acetone treatment called for.I can live with the gray mesh if I have to,but I think I'll try to bleach it out tomorrow.

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They look wayyyy better!

 

[YETI]

40s? Florsheim Grey Buck Spectators

I found these nifty kicks at a local thrift store. The suede is actually darker.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

black/grey combos are pretty rare. Congrats!!! :eusa_clap


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[cookie]

I found these nifty kicks at a local thrift store. The suede is actually darker.

Those are a great score. Now for a clean and conditioning.

 

[PoohBang]

Just posted my vintage Spectator's on my blog...

I had my cobbler resole the front, but left the cat's paws on the heel...

as always more pics on my blog

 

[cookie]

Nettleton Suede Spectators

A recent late night purchase...anyone want to date them?

Made for the May Company.



Thought for the Day: Why are so many shoes on eBay so little worn?

 

[Marc Chevalier]

A recent late night purchase...anyone want to date them?

They're from the 1950s. Very handsome! The same style was also made in navy blue.



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[cookie]

They're from the 1950s. Very handsome! The same style was also made in navy blue.



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Thanks I thought so. That long leather 'half moon' treatment on the vamp is very 50s in style.

 

[HarpPlayerGene]

Thought for the Day: Why are so many shoes on eBay so little worn?

Ha! I almost fought you for those. Too many shoes as-is so I just watched it end. Congrats. They are stylish.

As far as little-worn shoes go, I've noticed that many times the ones I get in practically new condition have only very slight wear on one shoe's sole. As in, it must have been the display model which was tried on just enough to sully it beyond selling the pair for regular retail. So they get donated or somehow wind up at the thrift stores and on the 'bay.

 

[HarpPlayerGene]

As fate would have it, today I scored these at a thrift shop. Very much like cookie's recent purchase but with mesh. They fit me like they were custom-made for my feet. Slightly worn condition, but for $6, I settled.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Gene, that type of fancy lacing was popular for "sporty" shoes back then.


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[HarpPlayerGene]

Gene, that type of fancy lacing was popular for "sporty" shoes back then.


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Thanks for the detail. I like that lacing technique. May do some of my other old sporty shoes that way too.

 

[Michaelshane]

As fate would have it, today I scored these at a thrift shop. Very much like cookie's recent purchase but with mesh. They fit me like they were custom-made for my feet. Slightly worn condition, but for $6, I settled.

No thrift shops around here like that... I hate you Gene.

 

[Tomasso]

Too many shoes as-is

The Next Day:

today I scored these

lol

 

[HarpPlayerGene]

No thrift shops around here like that... I hate you Gene.

XOXOXOXO

 

[HarpPlayerGene]

The Next Day:










lol

lol lol lol