• English

• Footjoy
  Since 1856
  Alligator
  Hand-Sewn, Spade Sole, 3-Eyelet Derby (Blucher)
  Special Order- Circa 1940
  Euro 1850

  This present shoe and the few other alligators and lizards by Footjoy in the website represent perhaps the finest and the rarest golf and street shoes to be seen outside of a museum….and certainly the most beautiful. The skins are artfully arranged, with fine and coarse patterned pieces distributed for maximum effect, and all perfectly matched between shoes.
  Shoes of this quality -in this case, with closed channel, hand sewn soles–  must not be compared to the glued together products from Italy and elsewhere; these are finely hand-made shoes, superior even to FootJoys own Goodyear Welted inventory, shoes that today would cost literally many thousands.

  As to the beauty of this particular shoe, there is an intangible charm that, between very similar shoes, one pair might possess while the other does not. This shoe is, to my eye, the complete success, elegant without ostentation, the perfect mating of sleek plain-front and dramatic spade sole, the perfect choice of hides, perfectly matched, an unassuming masterwork, the height of elegance and quiet luxury; Yes! this shoe possesses that devoutly-to-be-wished intangible we always reach for.

  Golfers the world round know that the finest traditional golf shoes are made and have been made throughout the 20th century by one shoemaker, The FootJoy Company. FootJoy began its operation as the Burt & Packard Shoe Company founded in Brockton Massachusetts in 1857. In 1927 the company took the name of its premier line of shoes, the FootJoy. Since then they have been the leading golf shoe on the PGA tour, the # 1 selling golf shoe in England and the undisputed leader in the manufacture of Golf Shoes in the world. The vintage and antique FootJoys, particularly their alligator, lizard and other exotic leather shoes, for golf or street, represent the pinnacle of craftsmanship and luxury, and are highly prized by collectors and aficionado of fine shoes.

  In March 2008 FootJoy closed it last American-based factory in Brockton, Massachusetts. While the firm continues to produce large numbers of sneaker-like golf shoes in its off-shore facilities, this last bastion of old-world craftsmanship in golf shoes is relegated to history, and with it the last source for us of special-order lizard, alligator and other exotic-skinned golf and street shoes, the finest in the world. Gone too are the 103 highly skilled craftsmen, some of whom had worked in the Field Street Factory since the introduction of the “Classic” line of shoes in 1959…and with them this great erstwhile wellspring of beauty. All of this is to say one thing; this is the last of its kind. If it is your size, do not hesitate.

  Size Details

  US 8.5D.....UK 7.5E.....Continental 41.5D, for the mid-width foot.

  Condition

  This treasure is in as fine a condition as a shoe can be without being brand new. Enough said. Now it is up to you.

Out of stock