I’ve been reading with interest, on this forum and elsewhere, the debate about whether pre-Prada Church’s are superior to those produced today. I recently acquired a lot of Church’s shoes, namely:
All three pairs are marked ‘London Paris and New York’ so I’m assuming that they pre-date the takeover by Prada. Am I right to think this? All three are brand spanking new and unworn, so I’m finding it difficult to believe they all pre-date 1994…
Whilst I see that Church still produce a Grafton brogue, I have been unable to track down information (particularly comparative price information, as I eventually plan to sell these on) for the Piccadilly and Charter shoes. Does anyone know if these styles are still produced – and if not, when they went out of production?
In particular, the Charter pair has a very old-fashioned looking box, with a criss-cross design and graphics of shoemaking tools on it. To be honest it looks like a box from the 60s or 70s (something which seems to be backed up by the price label of £65.00), but again I find it hard to believe that these shoes have made it this far without ever being worn – or were ever sold for £65.00! Can anyone shed any light on when this style of box was being used?
I guess, overall, my question is: are these shoes any more, or less, valuable because of their age? Do mint-condition shoes, like a good wine, become more desirable (and more valuable) with age? And if the quality of the Prada produced shoes continues to decline, does that mean that pre-Prada shoes will appreciate in value?
This pair also came with Church’s engraved and adjustable metal shoe trees, the like of which I’ve never seen before. Again if anyone as any information on these (how old, value, etc.) I’d be mightily grateful.
Finally, amongst the lot were also 2 pairs of very worn Church’s. I don’t expect these have any value, but am loathe to throw them away. Apart from sending them to the charity shop (who probably wouldn’t accept them anyway due to their condition), does anyone know if there is a place where old Church’s go to spend their final days in dignity, or get revamped, up-cycled or whatever?
Do mint-condition shoes - like good wine - become more valuable with age?
- Grafton brogues (size 80 F, last 73)
- Piccadilly ‘monk’ shoes (size 80 F, last 73)
- Charter brogues (size 100 E last 73)
All three pairs are marked ‘London Paris and New York’ so I’m assuming that they pre-date the takeover by Prada. Am I right to think this? All three are brand spanking new and unworn, so I’m finding it difficult to believe they all pre-date 1994…
Whilst I see that Church still produce a Grafton brogue, I have been unable to track down information (particularly comparative price information, as I eventually plan to sell these on) for the Piccadilly and Charter shoes. Does anyone know if these styles are still produced – and if not, when they went out of production?
In particular, the Charter pair has a very old-fashioned looking box, with a criss-cross design and graphics of shoemaking tools on it. To be honest it looks like a box from the 60s or 70s (something which seems to be backed up by the price label of £65.00), but again I find it hard to believe that these shoes have made it this far without ever being worn – or were ever sold for £65.00! Can anyone shed any light on when this style of box was being used?
I guess, overall, my question is: are these shoes any more, or less, valuable because of their age? Do mint-condition shoes, like a good wine, become more desirable (and more valuable) with age? And if the quality of the Prada produced shoes continues to decline, does that mean that pre-Prada shoes will appreciate in value?
This pair also came with Church’s engraved and adjustable metal shoe trees, the like of which I’ve never seen before. Again if anyone as any information on these (how old, value, etc.) I’d be mightily grateful.
Finally, amongst the lot were also 2 pairs of very worn Church’s. I don’t expect these have any value, but am loathe to throw them away. Apart from sending them to the charity shop (who probably wouldn’t accept them anyway due to their condition), does anyone know if there is a place where old Church’s go to spend their final days in dignity, or get revamped, up-cycled or whatever?
