Vintage Spectator Shoes

[rumblefish]

In a last minute gut shot I was outbid on these the other day, probably the coolest pair of ventilated spectators I've ever seen (eBay sure can be a wicked mistress ):

What did they go for?
I never put them in "watch" because they're too small for me, but I kept bumping into them while searching, hoping to see a larger pair some day.

 

[Mario]

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

Oh yes I wanna!! :eusa_clap :eusa_clap
I'd so love to find a pair like that. Black/gray combos seem to be rare beasts out there.

 

[J.J. Gittes]

In a last minute gut shot I was outbid on these the other day, probably the coolest pair of ventilated spectators I've ever seen (eBay sure can be a wicked mistress ):

I Bid at 2 seconds on those, got outbid myself. Bleh, that one hurt.

 

[Mario]

Wow...those ARE amazing!!

 

[cookie]

NOS French Shriner and Urner B&W Specs

Just jagged these on Ebay and immediately felt devastated. Why was that?

Well they are 8.5D and I am 10.5/11D.

So why did I buy them then?

Well how often do you find a NOS pair of French Shriner and Urner B&W Specs? Once in a lifetime?

The design is reminiscent of the Broadstreet but has a tweaking to it that makes it that much nicer a last. Touch of a spade sole as well. Era ? Mid-1950s was the end of French Shriner and Urner and it became just French Shriner.

In 1881 shoemakers Charles Shriner and Joseph French started a company in Brockton, Massachusetts. Like many American shoe mfgs, FS's past glory has faded, but it built a solid shoe through the 1950's - 60's.
Here's some pix:

 

[BinkieBaumont]

"You old shoe Horn"

 

[cookie]

"You old shoe Horn"

lol

 

[HarpPlayerGene]

More than just a touch of spade sole there, friend. Fantastic looking!!

Well, when you tire of just staring at them I could probably sqeeeeze into those if I wear thin socks...

 

[Guttersnipe]

Just picked these up myself. The contrast panel is really more of a blue/gray in person:

 

[cookie]

Just picked these up myself. The contrast panel is really more of a blue/gray in person:

Very 50s....

 

[Guttersnipe]

Just snagged these puppies...a Sunday afternoon indoors well spent, IMHO!

 

[cookie]

Allen Edmonds Winhalls;

Allen Edmonds Empires; 1930's

Those Winhalls must have been an experimental pair in just guessing size 9. The Empires are remarkably like my 1940s French Shriner B&W specs . Last is identical.



[/QUOTE]

Just snagged these puppies...a Sunday afternoon indoors well spent, IMHO!

A hunka hunka burnin' luuurv!

 

[repeatclicks]

Just picked these up myself. The contrast panel is really more of a blue/gray in person:

Almost bought these a few months back, but they were a size too big. They looked pretty good too.

 

[cookie]

Spectators from Great Gatsby Film

These were worn by Sam Waterstone in that film. Sold to a dealer for a cheap price (USD213) considering provenance and authenticity with buckskin treatment.

 

[skyvue]

Check the shoes my father's wearing in this photo from the mid-1950s. I'm not sure if these qualify as spectators -- I suspect not -- but they're two-toned and, I think, kind of cool.

I don't think I've seen any quite like them, and I'd be interested in hearing from any of your experts who might have some thoughts to offer on them.

 

[thunderw21]

Check the shoes my father's wearing in this photo from the mid-1950s. I'm not sure if these qualify as spectators -- I suspect not -- but they're two-toned and, I think, kind of cool.

I don't think I've seen any quite like them, and I'd be interested in hearing from any of your experts who might have some thoughts to offer on them.

Yeah, I would consider them spectators.

I've seen similar shoes in Penney's and Sears, Roebucks magazines. They're neat shoes, have elastic between the side slits.

 

[cookie]

They are most unusual by 50s standards. They have that expander gusset opening that they used in the 50s for loafers but it is interesting just how they have placed it on the vamp. The high strip of leather forming the upper vamp as a spectator style contrast with the toecap is also unusual/original. I have never seen anything like this on eBay and I have checked out a lot of those type of shoes.

 

[skyvue]

They are most unusual by 50s standards. They have that expander gusset opening that they used in the 50s for loafers but it is interesting just how they have placed it on the vamp. The high strip of leather forming the upper vamp as a spectator style contrast with the toecap is also unusual/original. I have never seen anything like this on eBay and I have checked out a lot of those type of shoes.

I'm just miffed that Dad didn't hang on to these shoes long enough for me to have a crack at 'em!

 

[BinkieBaumont]

"Recent arrivals in the Swan River Colony, These!....generously offered to me by a kindly FLr ....perforated leather in a lovely "Butterscotch" colour with the rest being in "Hard Candy" coloured leather"

 

[cookie]

Crosby Square shoes as seen above

http://books.google.com.au/books?id...onepage&q=crosby square shoes history&f=false