Boots & Shoes

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English Top Boots.

 

This style of boot was primarily for riding, and dominated on both sides of

the Atlantic from about 1750 onwards.  Handmade to my customer's exact

measurements, they are constructed of 6-7 oz. English leather, and stitched

with heavy flaxen cord.  The shank spring is hand-forged; the heavy leather

sole is hand-stitched with boar bristles and durable hemp cordage, then

secured with wooden pegs in the waist of the boot; finally, the heel is made

of stacked leather lifts with wooden pegs and brass tacks.

 

Available in black with contrasting top, black with matching top, and brown

with matching top.  Tooling, decorative stitching, calfskin linings, and

hand-forged spur sets are available for an additional cost.

 

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Ladies' "Stuff" Shoe.  [Photograph coming soon.]

 

Finer shoes, for 18th-Century women of quality, were often made of "stuff,"

or cloth, in contrast to leather (although many were made of finer

calfskins, as well).  Damasks, embroidered wools and linnens, silk brocades,

and printed fabrics were all used, depending on the sense of style possessed

by the customer.  Call for details and prices.

 

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Gentleman's Dancing Slipper.  [Photograph coming soon.]

 

Dancing slippers were a must-have fashion item for the gentleman who wished to enjoy a ball or some [link] English country dancing.  Typically, the

upper was of a fine Italian or English calfskin, and the heel much lower

than a typical men's shoe.  Call for details and prices.

 

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Gentleman's Fine Shoe.  [Photograph coming soon.]

 

The men's shoe of the 18th-Century was of a typical style, whether a

"common" shoe or a "fine" shoe.  It was really the materials and

workmanship that made the difference.

 

As for materials, a fine shoe would use fine leathers, perhaps cordovan or

an English bridle leather, whereas the common shoe would use a "middling

sort" of oxhide or some similar material.  And the craftsman would often put

up to twice as many hours into a pair of fine gentleman's shoes as a pair of

common shoes - stitching, edging, and many other details were what made them fit for a country squire.

 

Please contact me to discuss a pair for your special cloathing ensemble.