Shoes that look better with age...

[pepper davies]

You'll find a pair soon enough...

And that link is for a shoe repairer who specifically deals with both Goodyear and Veldt repairs, unlike Richard. Might be worth checking out for resoling...

Seems like it was Albert Edward Ingham, father of the English mathematician A E Ingham the younger:

http://www.jstor.org/pss/769447

The son was educated in Northampton and then Stafford, which is where Lotus Ltd started before moving to Northampton. The linked article says that A E Ingham the elder was a boot-machine operator (also mentioned elsewhere).

I've read elsewhere that Lotus patented their design in 1914, which ties in with this timescale so possibly this is the origin of the boot as we know it...

Of course, I could be barking up entirely the wrong tree but...

I'm kinda embarrassed to post this, but you did ask nicely...this is mostly all that remains of a once-proud collection of vintage 80s adidas tennis shoes and trainers. This is why I'm in no rush to get anything else in a hurry:

This needs to go on the next page... Epic.

[ranonranonarat]

hey ben, thanks for putting that collection up. i think you made the best decision of your life to turn your sneakers collection into this epic english boots collection that will transcend all boundaries of awesome. can't rep you now but i definitely will when i can. sorry but can you ID them as well? haha, hope thats not too much to ask for.. i am sure younglings will chance upon this thread 10 or 20 years down and be in awe and half of the boots in that picture might already be out of production. really lovely collection.

[CrashTestBrummie]

Ha, you're welcome even if my occasional compulsive-acquisitional-obsessive tendencies have been well and truly exposed...was just the same when starting out with the trainers...

Edited the post with IDs, but they are:

Back row: Tricker's Wetherby, Tricker's Burford, RW GTs

Middle Row: Tricker's Eaton, Tricker's Stow, C&J Coniston, C&J Arran

Front row: Tecnic Veldtschoen, Tricker's Veldtschoen, Lotus Veldtschoen, Tricker's Grasmere

[fre-co]

That's some crazy edmond type shit right there man!

[smittybat]

Ha, you're welcome even if my occasional compulsive-acquisitional-obsessive tendencies have been well and truly exposed...was just the same when starting out with the trainers...

I think many of our "collections" have gotten out of control...

[CrashTestBrummie]

I think many of our "collections" have gotten out of control...

Yeah...with jeans and trainers, there was the same initial splurge whilst finding what I liked, and then it calmed down...

[coleslawyum]

Wow. Awesome stuff. I think every "collector" here needs post a pic like that. Me included.

[denimjunky]

Heck, isnt this a bit like comparing sizes of ones private organ?

[Goominim]

that's like a billion dollars worth of shoes.

[jasonfoote303]

I just put this pair of lightly used 403's in 9E up on ebay

link

[smittybat]

Wow. Awesome stuff. I think every "collector" here needs post a pic like that. Me included.

Top L-R Chippewa 27911, Chippewa 97863, Frye Rand, Frye Rand

Middle L-R Red Wing GT. Alden 405, Loake Burford

Bottom L-R White's Semi-Dress, Wolverine 1000 Addison, White's Semi-Dress

[ADDIC]

^Middle bottom row?

nice collection btw

[smittybat]

^^ Wolverine 1000 Mile Addison

[mtchfrnk]

Here is an educational link about velskoen/veldtschoen construction:

http://riotgeer.blogspot.com/2009/01/veldtschoen-photo-essay.html

The shoe in the above link seems to be a few steps more 'rustic' than the stitched-down and welted English veldtschoen.

And here are some other rustic vellie shoes:

http://suffolkshoes.co.uk/

http://www.courteneyboot.com/boots.php

http://www.hickorees.com/brand/herbert-schier

[CrashTestBrummie]

Here is an educational link about velskoen/veldtschoen construction:

http://riotgeer.blogspot.com/2009/01/veldtschoen-photo-essay.html

The shoe in the above link seems to be a few steps more 'rustic' than the stitched-down and welted English veldtschoen.

And here are some other rustic vellie shoes:

http://suffolkshoes.co.uk/

http://www.courteneyboot.com/boots.php

http://www.hickorees.com/brand/herbert-schier

Good finds - I posted the video link a few dozen pages back.

Been meaning to share the game-hide boots made by Courteney for some time...randomly enough, their listed distributors in the UK are only a couple of miles from where I live.

[Vanquish Gold]

After 8-9 weeks of waiting for my William Lennon Waxy Tan.. it is finally here! Kudos to the people at William Lennon who shipped them in express shipment due to the long wait.

Very rustic and traditional feel on the boots... the aesthetic is definitely geared towards old school work boots which is just really cool.

Heavy pair of shoes...

Love the shape of the boots. I hate pointy toes.

Don't see soles like these anymore....

Taking it out for the first time.... the hue of the tan really makes me think that it will age beautifully over time.... I just can't stop looking at them lol

[Paul T]

They're lovely, VG.

[morse9443]

Agree those are great. Old school style.

[k4727]

Really sick

[Paul T]

Was great to meet up with CTB this morning at the scooter café, just round the corner from Waterloo station.

I arrived in my lotus shoes - but acquired another veldtschoen. This was a pair Ben sniped on eBay... they're marked both 7 and 8 (!). Fit me snugly, perfect for length, with a bit of stretching they'll hopefully be spot on. And, lawd, are they beautiful, especially with some CBT TLC.

so, here ya go, a Lotus trio. LEft, Ben's veldt boots, top right my veldt shoes, bottom, the CTB>PT pair.

Thanks Ben, I hope you make it to your destination ok!

[killer b]

that scooter cafe looks wicked. will need to check it out next time i'm in town...

[fre-co]

Oh scooterworks has a hot new girl working there.... Was Craig in around?

[mikedbt5]

Not my style or size but possibly a project for somone ?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Vintage-lotus-brown-leather-brogue-shoes-UK7-5-41-5-/270756337841?pt=UK_Men_s_Shoes&hash=item3f0a55d8b1

[almostnice]

That's some crazy edmond type shit right there man!

i have to disagree.judging from CTB's pic,most of them are worn pretty well.

[killer b]

Not my style or size but possibly a project for somone ?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Vintage-lotus-brown-leather-brogue-shoes-UK7-5-41-5-/270756337841?pt=UK_Men_s_Shoes&hash=item3f0a55d8b1

my size & style though - cheers...

[DocBlue]

and someone grab those horsehide wolverines

[killer b]

i'm loving these aluminium sole boots a bit more tbh...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Antique-Vintage-Leather-ALUMINUM-Work-Chore-Boots-/380340920799?_trksid=p5197.m185&_trkparms=algo%3DNGSIC.OPJS%26itu%3DI%252BUA%26otn%3D10%26pmod%3D200612821445%26po%3DLVI%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D256288263426423491

[Happy Hooligan]

Not sure about the normal function of those, I'm sure they were made for a special purpose, but they are cool looking. and in Excellent Original Condition too... I'd hate to see what rough would look like...

[pomata]

cast iron or nothing

[onehundy]

Good riding boots, a lot of sparks..