Edition #30: Margaret Jerrold Novelty Shoes

For anyone that wants a little fun on their feet.

It didn’t take me long to fall in love with the Margaret Jerrold style of shoe. It’s a simple silhouette, usually a variation of a slightly pointed toe and a small heel. But each is its own creation, whether it’s animals, food, phones, or…Charlie Chaplin. The brand was founded in the ‘50s by Margaret Clark and Jerry Miler after the couple married. While the shoes featured in this newsletter focus more on the novelty shoes of the ‘70s, ‘80s, 'and ‘90s that were created after Margaret stopped designing, they’re still an integral part of the brand. Examples of her shoes from the ‘50s and ‘60s are even on display at The Met. I also had to get a pair of my own before sharing and opted for these “neutral” western inspired ones.

1. vtg Margaret J Leather Clown Circus Shoes 7.5 Spain: A different take on what it means to be wearing clown shoes.

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2. Vintage Women's Shoes Margaret Jerrold Sz 5 Garden Plants Flowers Pink Green: Someone get these for their friend that moved out of NYC during the pandemic “for more space” and are now into homesteading.

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3. 80’s Rooster leather low heel pump (8): Rooster shoes, that’s all.

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4. Vintage Women's Shoes Margaret Jerrold Chess Knight Bishop King Queen Sz 6: Is Queens Gambit still something people care about?

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5. 80s 90s Vtg Black Patent Leather Cat Margaret JerRold Heels Flats Women's US 11.5 N EU 43: These remind me of the classic Marc Jacobs mouse flats that I feel like are gearing up to make a comeback with all the Recession Core happening.

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6. Vintage Margaret J Charlie Chaplin Flats: Truly an incredible homage to the silent film star.

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7. Red & Black Telephone Leather Applique Shoes by Margaret Jerrold sz 7N: I love these so much I may have to get them for myself to start a collection.

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8. Stunning Margret Jerrold novelty tuxedo shoes patent leather / Dead stock with original box and receipt! super great style /size: 8: Okay, but the Chris Farley Chippendale poster background is worth the click through alone.

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9. Rare Democratic Donkey MARGARET JERROLD 1996 Election Shoes Heels Pumps Sz 6.5: This isn’t the first time I’m showcasing political art as fashion but I’m more partial to these.

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10. Vintage Designer Margaret Jerrold Shoes Made In Spain: I do feel like shoes are an under utilized motif on women’s clothing.

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Honorable Mentions:

• Novelty:

  • Peacock

  • Pineapple

  • Hot air balloons

  • Ice cream

  • Egyptian Pharaoh

  • Cows

• Cork flats

• Cork sandals

• Studded

• Snakeskin & mesh

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What terms were searched:

• Margaret J flats

• Margaret J shoes

• Margaret Jerrold shoes

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Welcome to Finder’s Keepers

This is the newsletter dedicated to leaving no vintage stone unturned. Each edition will cater to a rabbit hole that I fell down one night and include an assortment of vintage finds that make you question “Why did anyone own this?” followed quickly by “Should I own this?”

My method is simple: I attach a keyword or phrase to the item and go digging, spending hours each week combing through hundreds of pages of Etsy and Ebay bric-a-brac. It’s chaotic but satisfactory, like looking through every rack and bin at a thrift store for those that partake in the more visceral act of going in person. I like to sit on my couch.

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Don’t forget I have an Etsy storefront:

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