Antique Edwardian Shoes in Original Box Dated 1907

These amazing, gorgeous shoes are well over 100 years old and were never, ever worn. In fact, they are still in their original box. They are closely dated to 1907-1908 by the maker’s logo and advertising slogan as it appeared in trade & manufacturing reviews. With original box and condition that is no less than mint, this will make a perfect new acquisition for both museums and discerning collectors.

The box is marked that these are “Prince Albert” shoes. A Prince Albert slipper was a formal man’s shoe worn in a black tie formal setting and only worn inside the home as Edwardian etiquette dictated.

It is incredibly rare to to find a pair of unworn shoes in their original box…one that also includes the original tissue wrappings. The shoes are shiny black and beautifully made. They are dated by way of the advertising and marketing campaign that was documented to between 1907 through 1908 by Hamilton Brown Shoe Company at St. Louis and Boston. Their marketing slogan that year was “Watch Us” and “Keep the Quality Up”. This logo was also stamped on the soles of the Hamilton Brown shoes, printed on their boxes and other advertising media as the company attempted to become the largest in the world. More than once historical account states that they reached this goal not long after these shoes were produced.

The shoes are made of fine, supple, polished black leather.  They are lined with linen in the front and

soft leather within the interior of the heel area. The shoes are also marked with the word “maturity” next to the inventory numbers indicating that these would be intended for an older gentleman in style and design. Each sole is stamp with “Hamilton Brown Shoe Co. Watch Us” logo. The inventory markers on the interior read 4 EE73968. The very early elastic band used in their

design is notable. It is marked with Hub Gore. This elastic was created for use in shoe-making and one of the first mentions of its manufacture and usage dates to 1883. The front linen lining is stamped with 640.

There is not an overly obvious indication of left or right shaped sole found with this shoe style, which was not uncommon for this particular design. The length of the sole from toe to heel is 9-1/2 inches or 24.2 cm. The widest point of the sole is 3-1/8 inches or 8 cm. The width at the

slightly squared off toe is 2-1/4 inches or 5.7 cm. The heel of the shoe has internal support. The heel cap height is 2-7/8 inches or 7 cm. 

The box measures approximately 5-3/8 x 12 x 3-1/2 inches or 13.7 x 30.5 x 9 cm. The box is deteriorating due to the acidic nature of the cardboard.