Hi Everyone, In my search regarding this company John McHale I have found several references to the company closing in the 1950s and yet these shoes seem later, partly because the uppers look so pristine. Thanks so much, Lauren P.S. the photos are not great and the colour of the letter is a beautiful, rich ox blood tone, not the orangey shade shown.
John McHale is originally a Canadian brand from London, Ontario, the company was founded in 1909 as a partnership between two men - Scott and McHale. They produced men's and boy's welted shoes under the brand names Astoria and Liberty, as well as a high end eponymously names line. They were bought out by Florsheim sometime between 1959 and 1963. Your pair are post war, probably early 50s. Its hard to be anymore specific without handling them. I don't actually have a pair in my collection, so let me know when you put them up for sale.
Hi Jonathan, Thanks for that info. I noticed something unusual about the heels. There seem to be two regular 'cuts' on the inside edge of both heels of almost identical size/shape....I've never seen that before.
That is a feature you sometimes get on men's shoes. It is to avoid splashing drips onto the pant leg as you walk. As water drains from the heel with each step, the cut off corner avoids a point for the water to gather and drip.
Jonathan, if you're really interested in obtaining a pair of McHale's, then you will be very annoyed that just this week I purchased a very nice pair for $13 at Value Village on Hespeler Road...
The men's shoes are normally in terrible shape there, but these were just sitting there waiting to be scooped up! ;)
I've noticed those little cuts on men's shoes also, but had no idea what they were for. Thanks, Jonathan!
Good hunting on the John McHale's! I almost never go to that Value Village, in fact, I never go anymore because I have never pulled anything good out of it.
This was indeed a one in a million find. I've had success with a few jackets/suits/shirts, etc at Value Village, though nothing that would be considered vintage.
