Heirloom Baby Shoes Appraisal

Vintage Red Leather Baby Shoes

This is a pair of vintage baby or toddler shoes, likely dating from the mid-20th century, possibly the 1940s to 1960s. They are constructed from what appears to be red or maroon-colored leather, with a slightly distressed and patinated finish, indicating age and prior use. The shoes are small in size, typical for infant or very young children's footwear. Each shoe features a lace-up design with three pairs of eyelets, one of which is visible in the image. The laces themselves are thick, likely cotton or a cotton blend, and show significant wear, discoloration, and fraying, consistent with their age and material. The stitching, visible along the vamp, around the sole, and near the toe cap, is a lighter color, possibly white or cream, providing a subtle contrast to the dark leather. The soles appear to be of a stiffer material, potentially leather or a compressed fiberboard, and are relatively thin. There is a clear manufacturing mark on the side of the left shoe reads "anten lebico" or similar, with the first letter partially obscured, suggesting a brand name. Some areas of the leather show scuffing, scratches, and a loss of surface finish, particularly on the toe and around the sides, indicative of normal wear for children's shoes. A notable checkered pattern, possibly embossed or worn into the surface, is visible on the side of the left shoe. The overall condition suggests that while they are well-preserved for their age, they have been regularly used. The craftsmanship appears sturdy, pointing to a utilitarian but durable construction typical for children's shoes of the era.