Dacks and other Canadian shoe brands

[Paul902]

The boots are great and look all-but-new.

No kidding? That's excellent. I usually follow the TdF closely, but haven't watched a single stage this year and have only read a few articles.

He was riding in the top 10 for a lot of the afternoon in the lead breakaway, while his EducationFirst teammates were 3-5min behind in the peloton. He scored 5 King of Mountain points for first rider over the first peak, and 2 more at the second peak. At the end he dropped down to 35th place. He had crashed in stage 10 or 11, breaking those ribs. Allaphilipe also did a lot of unassisted riding in the stage with three Cat 1 climbs, today. I've tuned into 3 or 4 stages this year. Today was one of the most exciting as there was a bit more change of the lead, and bridging from the peloton to the breakaways.

 

[Paul902]

A couple more pair of Dack's wondered into my house. Some rare burgundy kangaroo wingtips, and some older Shield Bespoke calf PTBs.

 

[suitforcourt]

Canadian made Dacks in black cap toe. The timeless classic that was built like a tank.

 

[mariusscott]

Came across these in my travels, never seen beforehand. Dack's Chukka boots, prairie oxhide 10.5D.

 

[PatrickS]

I know from whirlwynds that these are a size 10E can anyone suggest an age they don't seem to have any other information i.e. made where etc.

 

[Jiqea]

I am reasonably confident that that boot liner dates to the 70,s For sure it is pre-150 Anniversary. If I had to guess, I would say they date to around 1975. Nice boots. I have a similar pair in brown. They would have been made in Fredericton at the old Hartt's plant. All Dack's production was there by that time.

 

[suitforcourt]

I am reasonably confident that that boot liner dates to the 70,s For sure it is pre-150 Anniversary. If I had to guess, I would say they date to around 1975. Nice boots. I have a similar pair in brown. They would have been made in Fredericton at the old Hartt's plant. All Dack's production was there by that time.

Where have you been? Show us some shoe Appreciation!

 

[Jiqea]

In the summer I am mostly at the cottage with no internet. I will get active again September.

 

[suitforcourt]

Gents, trying out a cobbler in London Ontario. He was recommended by Matthew Dacks.

Gary Coakley - cobbler in London Ontario - Coakleys

Trying another Canadian cobbler! Gary Coakley has his shop set up in London Ontario, and called it "Coakleys." More of a general service shop, he trained in England as a cobbler where he hails from. When I first ventured into "nicer dress shoes" I started with Dacks and Allen Edmonds. A pair...

www.styleforum.net

 

[cielo]

Hi guys. Can one of you help me ID these shoes?

They are "Bond Street" shoes and are not labeled "Dack's". I know they used the term, like other companies, but don't think these have any relation due to lack of branding.

• Made in UK
• Felt sewn on tongue
• Good Year Wingfoot heels
• 157 last (I couldn't find an English shoemaker that is associated with this)

Thanks!

 

[suitforcourt]

Hi guys. Can one of you help me ID these shoes?

They are "Bond Street" shoes and are not labeled "Dack's". I know they used the term, like other companies, but don't think these have any relation due to lack of branding.

• Made in UK
• Felt sewn on tongue
• Good Year Wingfoot heels
• 157 last (I couldn't find an English shoemaker that is associated with this)

Thanks!

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Made by Cheaney or Church's. @mariusscott can answer your questions.

 

[Jiqea]

I am in no way as knowledgeable as Marius regarding the history of Dacks, however I have a few ideas concerning your lovely Bond Streets. Church's purchased a 75% share in the A. H. Marston Company in 1964. At that time Marston owned both Dacks and Hartt and had moved all production to Fredericton. However Marston had been building a relationship with Church since at least the mid 50's, and had been importing and selling Bond Street shoes in their Dacks stores at an entry level price point. I can find no images of the shoe liner from these pre-acquisition shoes, however I think that they may be what you have. After 1964 the adds show shoe-liners with the familiar "The Bond Street" graphic with the script oriented to the long access of the shoe with the central crown, and they were clearly marked as Dacks. Certainly the shape of the sole on your shoes suggests an early date, and would be consistent with 50's styling.

It should be noted that Dacks produced a made in Canada Bond Street shoe in the 30's and early 40's that was also oriented to an entry level customer, however these shoes had a shield shaped image on the sock-liner. They even made Bond Street golf shoes!

Your shoes are quite lovely and intriguing. Thank you for posting them. I have attached the earliest add (1954) I could find for the made in England Bond Street shoes. In the later 70's adds Dacks highlighted the fact that the Bond Streets were made in England, however this was not a point of emphasis in the adds from the 50's and 60's.

If in fact this is what you have in hand, they were almost certainly manufactured by Churchs, with the later post acquisition shoes being manufactured by Cheaney, under Church's ownership. A bit of research into 1950's Churchs coding could likely resolve the uncertainty.

 

[mariusscott]

You gents are too kind, if only some of my clients would be give me the same benefit of the doubt when it comes to my investment and life recommendations but such is life. I would say Jiqea is like the encyclopedia of Dack's information. As bond street is an area in London known for better quality brand's and tailored made everything I think those shoes are likely not Dack's at all. Based on appearances, felt on the tongue and the way the heel pads are put in they are from a better time, like 1950-1980s. I would say maybe church's but no matter if the factory was well known or not the build is excellent and frankly in better years Northumberland was factory upon factory. A classic captoe is always a great looking shoe, it happens to be why the strand from Allen Edmonds is such a nice looking shoe, or even the Park Avenue.

On a somewhat related Dack's rant it blows my mind that the bond street line was originally for young professionals. Until its last years the build quality of all models was outstanding as well as the exotic leathers too, apparently I missed the time to be a young professional by about 50 years

 

[cielo]

Thank you, Jiqea and mariusscott! Very interesting and helpful information.

 

[suitforcourt]

Hartt LWBs. Bought these beauties in NOS condition.