1950's Johnston & Murphy Boutique Model Pebble Grain Saddle Shoes 8 D For Sale

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1950's Shoes & Why I LOVE 'Em!

The 1950’s were a wonderful decade in Vintage Shoes. The Goodyear Storm welt hit its stride in popularity. A technique which allowed for a very watertight seal and maximum durability, the Storm Welt was also a VERY Tough looking feature. That strip of leather between the topsole and upper added just the right amount of character to a pair of shoes and epitomized the 1950’s as a decade of the “Big Shoe”. Whether the welt matched the color of the uppers, or if it was in a contrasting white or bone color, it was ALWAYS an indication of a well-made show. Even today, the Goodyear Welted shoe represents some of the best (and most expensive) work a shoemaker has to offer.

Keep in mind that the 1950’s featured the Rise of the Gunboat! The Ultimate Welted shoe began as a longwing wingtip, and lives on today in various forms made by Allen Edmonds, Alden, Church’s, and many other Top Modern Makers from all over the world.

At the other end of the spectrum are the varied details used to add True 1950’s character to a pair of shoes. The 1950’s (then later also the 1960’s) featured lacing from 2 holes all the way to the 5 or 6 that traditional dress shoes featured for the previous 30 years. Shapes went from more rounded and bulbous, all the way to arrow pointy. The versatility of this decade for 1950’s shoes is a hallmark of the creativity that the many fabulous makers had and were willing to demonstrate at every opportunity.

After the 1950’s, US shoemakers began to rely more and more on machines for manufacturing. More and more on imported leathers and materials. More and more on foreign designs for their inspiration. Although there were still some excellent US shoes in the 1960’s, the 1950’s was truly the end of the “Golden Age” of the US Vintage shoe. By the end of the 1960’s, many of the great US makers had closed shop, unable to compete with the mass produced, machine-made shoes of their larger competitors. By the 1970’s, more and more shoes were imported, and by the 1980’s, there were virtually no more quality US made shoes. Today only Allen Edmonds, Alden and a couple others remain.

HOWEVER, here is a wonderful opportunity for you to own (and wear) a piece of US Handmade Shoe HISTORY. Some TRUE 1950’s Vintage shoes, from a spectacular dynasty of shoemakers.

1950's Pebble Grain Saddle Shoes!

The marked size is 8 1/2C, and they fit a size 8D excellently!

They measure approximately 12 inches long x 4 5/16 inches wide (at the forefoot).


I tried to take as many good quality pics as I could, so you know how great these shoes really are.

I welcome international buyers. The general cost to send shoes International priority mail is $45.00. If the item sells for more than $100.00, I add insurance, which is around $3.00- $6.00. If you have any alternate shipping methods in mind (to save money), please let me know.

I require payment within 3 days of the sale's close.

If you have ANY questions, or require any add'l info on these, please ask me.

This item has been shown 67 times. 1950's Johnston & Murphy Boutique Model Pebble Grain Saddle Shoes 8 D: $17