Vintage American made alligator shoes

To be nostalgic about an era long gone and unknown to me. I found these alligator shoes made by American shoe companies who no longer produce this type of handcrafted items. The two pairs sampled here are from Bostonian and Florsheim, the latter being/was a Chicago based shoe company. 
These shoes are just beautiful and stunning and have aged very well over time. 

A vintage three tier plain Derby by Bostonian (USA)

 A Norwegian split toe Derby alligator by Florsheim (USA) from the 1940's.

Photos sourced from Vintage Shoes Addict

Vintage Ads by Florsheim

The other day I was watching China Town by Polanski starring Jack Nicholson and there is a scene where Jack (lost) one of the shoes he was wearing. It was a Florsheim, which was a Chicago (USA) based shoemaker. I remember as a kid seeing a full brogue spectator in leather and linen mesh by Florsheim, I was taken back, I thought it was so beautiful. Just to revive some of the beauties they created I found some old ads from an American shoe making era lone gone.

Photos sourced from Vintage Ad Browser