Help with dating Snakeskin Pumps

[ErikawithaK]

I would greatly appreciate some help in accurately dating a pair of brown snakeskin pumps. I originally thought 1950s because of the slim heel but the rounded toe made me think more 1940s. The label is difficult to read but it says Dream Step Originals and Genuine Cobra. I searched the forums here for information on heel styles and ran across this thread: http://forums.vintagefashionguild.org/threads/help-dating-a-pair-of-shoes.52872/#post-527549 in which a few members were discussing altered heels and I was even wondering if that might be what was happening here because the heel sole is a different color from the rest of the sole. In any case, opinions would be much appreciated!

 

[Pinkcoke]

I would agree that they are 1950s, mid to late because of the more pointed than round toe, and because they have a true stiletto heel, which isn't mainstream until the mid 1950s, and the all metal heel tip, which doesn't appear on fashion shoes until the introduction of the stiletto heel, as the small surface area caused the tip to wear out more quickly.
I think the heel is original, as the snakeskin uppers match too well, and the shape in the curve of the back of the heel is right for the age. I think the inside has possibly been touched up or repainted because it got damaged.

 

[ErikawithaK]

Thanks Melanie. Would that toe be considered pointed? I have others that are so much more dramatically pointed.

Any recommendations for books/websites on heel/toe styles? I just ordered Jonathan Walford's The Seductive Shoe but I'd love to know others. I'd love to be able to date without asking for advice!

 

[Pinkcoke]

It's an almond toe really, but yes I would call that pointed - not very, but it's not round either.
If you haven't seen it already, Jonathan wrote a guide on shoe styles through the years for the VFG fashion history section here, which gives the overview on toe/heel shapes I think you're looking for:
http://vintagefashionguild.org/fashion-history/shoes-the-sole-provider/
There aren't many books besides Jonathan's that deal with shoe styles in such an in depth historical manner but I like 'Shoes In Vogue' since 1910 and Vintage Shoes by Caroline Cox. Dover's 'Shoes Hats and Accessories' contains only catelogue pictures but is useful for that quick style scanning. If you are into your shoes, you might also enjoy Beth Levine Shoes and Salvatore Ferragamo: The Art of the Shoe 1898-1960.
We have a VFG Amazon bookstore that contains titles written or recommended by our members:
http://astore.amazon.com/thevinfasgui-20?_encoding=UTF8&node=45

 

[ErikawithaK]

Thank you. I did miss that guide but will definitely use it in the future and look up the other books you recommended!