Below are images from an almost vintage Johnston & Murphy catalog. I scanned the catalog so the images are better than my previous attempt with the 1962 Bostonian catalog.
Looking at the catalog, its interesting that all the shoes appear to have been made in the USA. Florsheim was already producing shoes overseas in 1992. Johnston & Murphy closed their US factory in 2002. So the manufacturing change over happened relatively fast. The 1992 J&M marketing messages reminds me of current Allen Edmonds marketing.
What was surprising about the price sheet was that the Johnston and Murphy “HANDMADES” line retailed for $1000. That’s about $1700 USD in 2016. Serious cash. I need a pair of those spade soled “Regency” wing tips. Yes. And a pair of the golf shoes.
Based on the pricing sheet, I would rank the lines like this: Johnston & Murphy HANDMADES > Crown Aristocraft > Aristocraft > Heritage > Optima.
I am surprised to see that they had a spade sole offering as late as 1992. Nice.
How do you know the approx date of a JandM? Drone the sole? Insole? Any tips? Thanks.
There have been some branding changes over the years but I don’t have examples to show you. Its rare to find any pairs from the 60s or earlier. Most on ebay are from the 80s and 90s
I have the golf shoes (pg. 39) since new around that time in the burgandy/black.
Very well made and still look great. Thinking I may turn them into street shoes.
Fantastic catalog to post. Many thanks! For some reason, I automatically group the J&M Handmades with the 1940’s vintage pairs. It’s amazing when you compare them to the rest of that 1992 catalog. The 1992 Handmades quality was on-par with (or at least VERY close) to the originals.
Glad to help
Hi David, I have a pair of Johnston Murphy shell cordovan tassel loafers 24-1154 009. I noticed that Johnston and Murphy have stopped making shell cordovan shoes. How do I date them? thank you.
David, what’s your optional about Executive Collection by J& M & Heritage by J& M? Would they be considered vintage?
If the pairs were made in the USA, I would consider them vintage at this point. I haven’t had a pair from either model line.
What is the point of a spade sole, if it does not match the shape of the upper?
Some people think a spade sole gives added flair to the design of the shoe. It’s really just a matter of personal taste and preference.
Thanks for the memories! Once upon a time, J&M made great shoes in a variety of beautiful styles. J&M did not have stores in all regions of the country, but in c.1986 one store appeared in Denver. That’s when I bought a new par of SKI-MOC II tassel-loafers and put a lot of miles on them over the years. Then, new soles and heals a just couple of years ago. They are calf and maintain very well. Vintage J&M loafers are much sturdier than any others on the market then, or now. Maybe, had I known then…I might have purchaced the SCI-MOCs (no tassels) or SCI-MOC CROWNs (shell) instead.