M'sian Gives Up Antique Converse Shoe Collection From 1917 After Losing His Job

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The vintage Converse sneakers collector, Wan Irfayuim Azim, uploaded a Facebook post with the intention to sell his collection on Saturday, 26 June.

"For the sake of surviving, I am forced with a heavy heart to let go my collection of the first Converse sneakers in the world that was made in 1917, which is called the Converse Non Skid," wrote the 31-year-old.

"Everything is still complete except for a shoelace that has already rotted and the sole of one shoe that is slightly broken. This item is a collector's item, not an item to wear (unless you are the owner of these shoes, you can do as you please)."

"These shoes came with a pair of basketball shorts and basketball knee protectors that were common at some point in the past, and the pants are dated 1916," said Wan Irfayuim.

The man also shared a photo of himself holding up the old shoes in a glass box, looking forlorn.

The vintage shoe enthusiast added that he knew it will be hard for some people to understand how precious the vintage shoes are and its high price tag.

"Some people who don't understand or who don't have interest in this may look down or criticise... but for vintage sneaker lovers and researchers, these aren't just shoes. They are history," he said.

Wan Irfayuim also wrote that, as far as he knew, there is another pair of shoes like his that are on display at the Converse Museum in Boston.

"The previous owner of these shoes, who also found the shorts and knee protectors, also kept them until one day he had to sell them due to health issues," he said.

The man added that he hoped another sneaker collector or historian would be the new owner of his shoes, and that he will gift three more pairs of vintage Converse sneakers made in 1950, 1960, and 1970 to the new owner.

Wan Irfayuim told Bernama on Sunday, 27 June, that he finally sold them to an antique collector from Pahang who was willing to buy the shoes at his opening price of RM40,800.

However, he said they still have to iron out some matters to complete the transaction. Wan Irfayuim told SAYS that the discreet buyer has already paid a deposit.

The buyer, only known as Dynamo Rasqputin on Facebook, has also announced the purchase on his Facebook page by showing off photos of the shoes.

Meanwhile, he told Bernama that he would use the money to continue trying to earn a living in Malaysia.

He added that he lost his job in the tourism industry in Japan and has not been able to return there since Malaysia implemented the Movement Control Order (MCO).

"I feel like I'm still struggling now because of the pandemic and everything," he told SAYS.