Fortnum & Mason Adjustable Aluminium Shoe Trees c.1940s – Size 9–10

Vintage Fortnum & Mason Adjustable Aluminium Shoe Trees c.1940s – Size 9–10

A wonderfully stylish pair of vintage adjustable aluminium shoe trees, retailed by the famous London department store Fortnum & Mason.

Each is clearly stamped:

FORTNUM & MASON LTD

181, PICCADILLY, W.1

and also marked Made in England – 9 x 10 – M, indicating they were intended for approximately UK men's shoe sizes 9–10, with the “M” most likely referring to a medium fitting.

Dating from around the 1940s to early 1950s, these are beautifully engineered pieces of traditional gentleman’s footwear equipment. The shaped aluminium foreparts are connected to adjustable threaded mechanisms with articulated heel sections, allowing the trees to be tensioned within a shoe to help maintain its shape.

Fortnum & Mason is, of course, one of London’s best-known luxury retailers. Its Piccadilly premises included an important shoe department from the early 20th century, offering high-quality men’s and women’s footwear and accessories. These shoe trees were almost certainly retailed or commissioned by Fortnum & Mason rather than manufactured by the company itself.

They have a particularly appealing old-school gentleman’s dressing-room feel and would make an excellent addition to a collection of vintage clothing accessories, gentleman’s outfitting pieces, Fortnum & Mason memorabilia or traditional shop display.

Condition

Good vintage condition with age-related surface scratching, rubbing, oxidation and general signs of use. There is some darker marking and wear around the joints and mechanisms, all entirely in keeping with their age and original purpose.

The Fortnum & Mason branding remains clearly legible on both.

The adjustable mechanisms appear complete and retain a lovely functional, industrial quality.

Please study the photographs carefully as these form an important part of the condition description.

Details

Vintage adjustable shoe trees / shoe formers

Fortnum & Mason Ltd

181 Piccadilly, London W.1

Made in England

Marked 9 x 10 M

Aluminium construction

Adjustable threaded mechanism

Circa 1940s–early 1950s

Sold as a matching pair

A fabulous little piece of British retail and fashion history, with the Fortnum & Mason name giving these considerably more character than an ordinary pair of vintage shoe trees.

Why we love them

They are beautifully utilitarian, wonderfully tactile and unmistakably from an era when even something as practical as a shoe tree was made to last. The clear Fortnum & Mason Piccadilly branding is the icing on the cake.

We describe all vintage and antique items to the best of our knowledge. Signs of age and previous use are part of their history and charm. Please refer to all photographs for condition and detail.