[1] After a saturation advertising campaign in 1944, the company became the best selling shoe polish manufacturer in the US.
[1] A 1951 advertising campaign featured the singer and television star Kate Smith.
[2] In the late 1950s, they sold Knomark and the 1914-built[3] Esquire Building on 330 Wythe Avenue[3] in Brooklyn.
After federal regulators became concerned about Sara Lee's monopoly power, it divested itself of Knomark, selling the company and Esquire Brand.
The Esquire trademark is currently owned by Griffin Brands, Inc.,[7] although the company does not appear to be marketing products under that name.