For sale is a pair of Rare Vintage Excellent Used Condition 1930s 40s Spectator Shoes A S Beck White Nubuck Brown Calf Wingtip Oxfords 9 A/C (see measurements).

For your consideration is a pair of sharp, well-preserved, 1930s Two Tone White Nubuck and Brown Calfskin Spectator Shoes, from the storied U.S. Shoe Manufacturer A.S. Beck. For a brief history of the company, read here: (https://www.qchron.com/qboro/i_have_often_walked/a-s-beck-was-a-real-shoe-in/article_d5f6df54-bc3d-5309-a548-12d8349050ce.html)

I originally bought these shoes for myself, with the intent to restore with the best products available, and wear them. Unfortunately, I didn't see the Combination Last A/C Width marking on the lining after the size 9; and as a 9.5 D, this is too tight for me, sadly. Regardless, absolutely beautiful shoes that I really worked to bring back (more on that below).

These shoes feature a richly patinaed and supple russet brown calfskin and white nubuck leather upper, sleek Two-tone spectator oxford dress shoe design, white flat braided laces, leather lining and fabric (for ventilation) lining, leather insole (leather sockliner missing), leather midsole, leather outsole, stacked leather and rubber A.S. Beck heel, and Goodyear Welted Construction.

The lining on these shoes has the following written (I am virtually certain, but check pictures): ("9, 428185, 17A; 40 Comb, A/C, 572, ⭐️"). From this, they appear to be a size 9 Narrow, hence the combination A/C width - similar to how Alden notes the width of their shoes. For reference, here are the approximate measurements (taken along the outsole):

Length - 11.875"

Width (at the ball of foot) - just under 4"

I tried my best to restore these shoes with some of the best shoe products available. When I first got them, the nubuck was discolored and stained throughout, the laces were stained and dark yellow, much of the calf leather was torn up or chipping [mainly the toe on the left shoe, but top pigment layer too had some areas where the finish had flaked off].

I first laundered and bleached the shoelaces to a crisp white, and cleaned the shoes carefully with Saphir Medaille D'Or Omni-Nettoyant (and stuffed with paper towels to absorb excess moisture). After drying for a day or two, I went over the nubuck portion carefully with a few different Suede/Nubuck eraser/brush sets and Saphir Médaille d'Or Nettoyant Gommadin Eraser, and deep cleaned/conditioned the calfskin with multiple rounds of Saphir Médaille d'Or Renovateur. After allowing the Renovateur to absorb, I recolored/polished the calfskin with Russet Saphir Beaute du Cuir Shoe Cream (then buffed carefully with horsehair brush). Returning to the nubuck portion, I reconditioned it with Saphir Médaille d'Or Renovateur Suede/Nubuck Spray. Once both leathers were sufficiently restored, I then waterproofed them all over with Saphir Médaille d'Or Super Invulner Waterproofing Spray. I also cleaned and conditioned the leather insoles with Weimans Leather Wipes.

For shoes roughly 90 years old, these shoes are markedly well maintained. They leathers are supple, patinaed nicely, and still serviceable. The leather insoles are also bizarrely well maintained, and still have not been fully worn-in, meaning they will make excellent candidates to break-in for their new owner, forming a custom fit over time. As expected, there are some flaws though, including multiple instances of chipped leather finish, cracks along the back topline of the heel counter (mainly on the right shoe's back), chips and scratches in the leather (especially the toe of the left shoe), some staining and worn areas of the nubuck, missing sockliners, etc. Regardless, these flaws are minor, and are only evident upon close inspection; they will not affect the wearability of the shoes (though you may want to use shoe horns, to prevent further wear or cracking to the heel counter area).

These shoes come from a pet and smoke-free home. Shoe trees are not included.

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask! Also, feel free to check out our account for other quality offerings! (Including multiple other shoes in similar sizes!).