help to date and size these shoes please!

[Wendy Miller]

Hi! I purchased these beauties as a UK size 5, sadly more like an 8? I was told they were handmade? The measurements are:
Length 10 1\2"
Heel height is 3 1\2"
Width at the ball of foot 3"
They are blue suede and have leather soles.
The makers name is Johansen Saint Louis - New York.
Inside the crest it says Johansen makers of fine footware.
Inside the other shoe (left foot) these are the markings:
9 A 26
20427
33231
Thanks Wendy

 

[Pinkcoke]

Hi Wendy, they are American baby doll pumps from the early 1950s and the US size is 9A ( narrow) which at the original time of sale was a UK 7.5 though the conversion today is usually 2 sizes down. I find a lot of people guess the size as much smaller when a shoe is narrow, even though the length is fine for a larger size, it is the width that does not fit them, so they estimate much smaller because they can't get their foot in.

 

[pastperfect2]

With that label, they look to be nice quality American manufactured shoes. They may have some hand work ( Jonathan could help here) but I don't know if there is any way to tell if they are custom made.

 

[Wendy Miller]

Thanks ladies for your help. I'm a size uk4-5 and got up to a size 7 insole in them. They are gorgeous shoes and I was very sad they don't fit me. They are in great condition too.

 

[laurenm]

I've pondered doing a measurement from sole over the widest part of ball of foot and back to sole thinking that might help the sizing elimination process for customers....does anyone do that? is there a name for that measurement?

 

[pastperfect2]

The 9A in the manufacturer's numbers list refers to size. Unfortunately, there wasn't a standard US system, so shoes may or may not have been marked for quite a few years.

 

[Wendy Miller]

Thanks so much for all the information!