Frank Brothers
488 Fifth Avenue, New York City
“Since 1865”
for
Julius Garfinckel & Co.
Washington, D.C.
6-Eyelet Oxford
Circa 1945

Frank Brothers, exclusive haberdashers and designers of footwear for both men and women, was established in 1865. Their shoes were sold exclusively at Frank Brothers shoe shops, their main store at 488 Fifth Avenue in New York, and a handful of exclusive men’s clothing stores such as Garfinckel’s. This is a fine example of their “modernized” last, still a spade sole, a throw-back to an earlier era but a bit more stream-lined. The hand-written size and serial numbers strongly suggest a special make-up for Julius Garfinckel & Son. In any case, this is a classically lasted shoe, finely finished with channelled sole and in a lovely, soft leather.

Julius Garfinckel (November 5, 1872 – November 5, 1936) was a prominent American merchant and philanthropist and founder of the Washington D. C. department store Garfinckle’s. He was born in Syracuse, New York, the son of Bavarian immigrants. Although he was a Unitarian his parents are buried in a Jewish cemetery in Texas where the family once lived. This, and why he added a “c” to his surname are enigmatic. Garfinckel never married and lived at the Burlington Hotel on Vermont Avenue. His sole recreation was horseback riding and he amassed an important collection of rugs and art objects.

In the late 1920s, Garfinckel had an eight-story department store building erected at 14th and F Streets for $2,000,000. By 1936, there were more than 500 employees. Garfinckel was one of Washington’s public-spirited and generous citizens, a philanthropist, and a principal supporter of his church and of the Boy Scouts. In 1935, accompanied by his nephew, lawyer/politician William Pheiffer he sailed to Europe for the last time. Julius Garfinckel died on his 64th birthday in 1936, leaving the bulk of his $6,000,000 estate to charity and to his employees.After Garfinckel’s bankruptcy in 1990, the store remained vacant but was listed in the National Register of Historic Places. It was redeveloped in 1999.The 2009 property value of Hamilton Square was $136,201,000.

Size Details:

Shoe Condition:

Original soles very lightly worn, heels replaced. Slight gouge at welt line, otherwise fine. Sold without trees.