Color 8 Shell Cordovan Longwing Wingtip Florsheim Imperial 93605 Royal Imperial 97625

Three Florsheim Color #8 Longwings

A sunny fall day in Seattle? Its a perfect time to take some photos of three vintage Florsheim shoes. This trio includes two shell cordovan Imperials Kenmoors (model 93605) and one never worn Royal Imperial (model 97626). I believe all three were made in the 1980s. For you Alden fans, these are basically the same shoes as the Alden 975.

[Edit: sometime after this post, I found out that Florsheim actually used Horween Color #4, not Color #8]

Florsheim Imperial 93605 Royal Imperial 97626 Shell Cordovan Horween Color 8 Longwing Wingtip

The yellow sun highlights the differences in the shell cordovan colors. One of Imperials has developed a splendid, warm patina while the other Imperial is a consistent burgundy color. The new Royal Imperial has some subtle differences in color.

Florsheim Imperial 93605 Royal Imperial 97626 Shell Cordovan Longwing Wingtip Horween Color 8

Nick Horween has a post where he describes the aging process for shell cordovan. Basically care and sun exposure changes the color of the shell cordovan. I love the coca cola color of the 93605 with patina but I am not going to leave the other two in the sun.

Florsheim listed the color of these models as brown. BROWN.

Why do I have threes pairs of basically the same shoe? Originally, I was going to sell two of them but they are hard to part with. Someday. Or maybe not.

Below are more photos. Enjoy. And check out my guide to buying a vintage Florsheim Imperial 93605.

Florsheim Imperial 93605 with patina:
Florsheim Imperial 93605 Shell Cordovan patina Longwing Wingtip Color 4

Florsheim Imperial 93605 Shell Cordovan patina Longwing Wingtip Color 4

Florsheim Imperial 93605 Shell Cordovan patina Longwing Wingtip Color 4

Florsheim Imperial 93605 Shell Cordovan patina Longwing Wingtip Color 4

 
Florsheim Imperial 93605 without patina:
Florsheim Imperial 93605 Shell Cordovan Longwing Wingtip

Florsheim Imperial 93605 Shell Cordovan Longwing Wingtip

 
Comparison of the two Imperials:
Florsheim Imperial 93605 Shell Cordovan Longwing Wingtip

 
Florsheim Royal Imperial 97626:
Florsheim Royal Imperial 97626 Shell Cordovan NOS Deadstock Longwing Wingtip

Florsheim Royal Imperial 97626 Shell Cordovan Horween Color 8 Longwing Wingtip

Florsheim Royal Imperial 97626 Horween Shell Cordovan Sole Paint v-cleat 5 nails Longwing Wingtip



4 thoughts on “Three Florsheim Color #8 Longwings”

  1. Just ran across this c. 1 1/2 yrs later while searching for men’s vintage shoes (Florsheims, Bostonian, etc.) and WOW what a great pictorial! Keep up the good work.

  2. Hello. I have a pair of NEW, never worn, Royal Imperial Kenmoor 97626 Size 11 B, color Brown. Would eBay be the best plave to get the best price? Thanks

  3. I was reading the post and suddenly realized I now own the unworn pair of 97626 in the picture after you kindly sold them to me years later. They are still beautiful and I am taking good care of them.

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