Beatles Sneakers by Wings Dings

Manufactured in 1964, the shoes were initially produced under license by NEMS Enterprises Ltd./Wing Dings Shoe Company, located at the corner of Main Street and Gooch Street in Saco, Maine.

The Wing Dings Shoe Company was affiliated with Allied Chemical Coating, Inc., a company specializing in the sale of canvas and athletic shoes, which were manufactured at their plant in Saco.

The shoes were made of sturdy canvas, with a fabric upper, an acrylic insole, and a rubber outsole. The exterior design featured a repeating pattern of the Beatles’ faces and facsimile signatures. The words “© NEMS Enterprises” were printed inside the shoes.

Several styles were produced, including lace-ups, slip-ons, low-top, and high-top sneakers. The sneakers were available in blue, white, and pink. All styles had white rubber soles, except for some high-top blue canvas versions, which had black soles. The high-top sneakers featured a fabric loop sewn onto the back to make them easier to put on.

The Wing Dings Beatles sneakers were sold in custom shoe boxes featuring large lettering reading “Beatles Sneakers by” and the large “Wing Dings” logo, manufactured by the Hoague-Sprague Corporation of Lynn, Massachusetts.

The shoes were wrapped in special Wing Dings tissue paper, with cotton padding in the toe box. The box measured 4¼“ x 11” x 3¼" deep.

Advertisements from 1964 promoted the shoes with slogans such as:
“Girls and teens wear them to Twist and Shout... here to swing all summer.”

A newspaper ad read:
“WING DING designed these white canvas casual shoes with autographs and pictures of George, John, Paul, and Ringo printed in black. They’re fun, yet practical, too. Available in sizes 4 to 8M with cushioned insoles, arch support, and molded soles. $3.99.”

Another ad stated:
“We have 'em exclusively. Official Beatles Sneakers, only $3.99 per pair. Matching handbag... $1.99. Everybody's wearing 'em... pictures and autographs of your favorite four are indelibly printed on white canvas! Full cushion-comfort insoles, springy rubber soles!”