Shoe Valet: Esquire De Luxe Shoe Shine Box, Wood with Brushes & Polish Tins, Advertising, USA, Vintage 1950s - SOLD

A dovetailed wooden Esquire Shoe Valet De Luxe, still holding its Esquire-marked shine brush, applicator brushes, buffing cloth, and polish tins, from the years when Esquire was America's best-selling shoe polish.

• Maker: Esquire
• Materials: Wood (valet); accessories vary: wood, plastic, tin, and fabric
• Dimensions: Valet: 11.5 inches Tall (including feet and raised foot form), 10.5 inches Long, 6.5 inches Wide
• Origin: USA
• Era: Vintage, 1950s–1960s
• Condition: Good vintage condition — lots of scuff marks, stains, and scratches, just about perfect for a vintage shoe valet, with lots of patina. There is no rust on the metal parts, the brand name is clearly visible, and there is no damage. Please review photos closely before purchasing, as all sales are final.

An extremely useful shoe valet, still handy after all these years. It is a promotional item for Esquire Shoe Polish and reads: "Esquire Shoe Valet De Luxe, Made in USA, Pat Pend." Inside are several shoe shine goodies: the original wooden shine brush with the Esquire name, two smaller applicator brushes, a buffing cloth, and several shoe cream and polish tins (all Kiwi brand). Some of the contents may or may not be of the period, but we are leaving them in there for you. Two different color woods were used to make the box, and you can see the dovetail joints, very nicely done. This piece is large and heavy, so please keep that in mind at check-out.

A great gift for a collector or for Father's Day, and a handsome conversation piece in the home.

Esquire shoe polish was made by Knomark of Brooklyn, New York. In 1938, during the Great Depression, chemists and entrepreneurs Sam and Albert Abrams acquired the brand, and after a huge advertising campaign in 1944 it became the best-selling shoe polish in the United States. The company's home was the 1914 Esquire Building on Wythe Avenue in Brooklyn, since converted to lofts. Revlon acquired Knomark and the Esquire brand in 1957 and sold it in 1969, and the brand later came under the Sara Lee company, which already owned Kiwi.

We also carry shoe care collectibles, including Smurfs and Snoopy shoelaces on their original display cards. Browse our shop for more advertising collectibles to round out your collection.