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• Army Officer’s  Dress Wellington Boot
  Antelope over Calfskin
  Dated June 1965
  John Spencer
  Since 1915
  Euro 650

  The Wellington boot dates from the early 19th century and is based upon the 18th century Hessian boots.  It was popularized by Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington who instructed his shoemaker, Hoby of St. James’ Street, London, to modify the 18th century Hessian boot by removing the trim, cutting it more closely to the leg and ending it at mid-calf.  With a semi-pointed toe and low stacked heel, it was an ideal cavalry boot, durable and protective in battle and yet comfortable out of the saddle. The Wellington boot quickly became a standard officers boot for both uniform and evening dress, and soon became fashionable among the British aristocracy as well.

  This particular boot, made to military specifications by Spencers, comes at a time when the George Boot was slowly replacing the Wellington for formal wear, thus it can be said that this boot is among the last to be produced, except by special order. Moreover, the present pair is doubly remarkable for its use of two contrasting leathers. Antelope is as rare today as it was then; in my entire career, I have seen only one or two Wellington Boots employing Antelope leather that were not custom-made. In fact, this boot may well have been a special order, employing hides provide by the gentleman-officer for whom these boots were custom made, a souvenir from shooting game in Africa.

  Finally, it would be fair to say this is an extremely rare item, something for the collector but eminently wearable for formal or casual dress, an elegant design, handsome worn under or over trousers. The hand-forged spurs (provided) pull out of the heel-jacks easily, for storage or those rare occasions when spurs are not called for (although I cannot immediately think of when that would be).

  History of the firm: John Spencer was established in Northamptonshire in 1915. Family owned for three generations, they continued to produce boots and shoes there, much by hand, untill the 1990s. Through most of the 20th century, Spencer became a supplier of exemplary dress and parade boots and shoes to the military. With ever dwindling call for ceremonial footwear by the military, coupled with qualified labour shortages across the industry, they succumbed to the generally negative market forces in the 1990s. Their reputation for superior workmanship in their heyday is well remembered and amply evidenced in this superb boot.

  Size Details

  Marked 8F, thus US 9D/E.....continental 42D/E, for the medium to somewhat wider foot.

  Condition

  A superb example of this classic boot. Bottoms showing almost no wear. Tops fine too, with a few trivial marks to the tips. Ready to take a coat of polish from the new owner.. Spurs pull out and reinstall easily.

• Army Officer’s  Dress Wellington Boot
  Antelope over Calfskin
  Dated June 1965
  John Spencer
  Since 1915
  Euro 650

  Cette vénérable entreprise, aujourd’hui mondialement connue pour sa vaste gamme de chaussures, et notamment de bottes, produites sous sa propre marque, fabrique également des bottes et des chaussures de haute qualité pour le gouvernement britannique depuis la Seconde Guerre mondiale. Ce modèle, comme tous les articles militaires présentés ici, est une authentique botte réglementaire, fabriquée selon les spécifications militaires et portant le numéro de contrat de l’intendance. Sa fabrication de haute qualité comprend une semelle Goodyear cousue (fermée), rainurée et biseautée (comme pour les meilleures pièces sur mesure), et un talon cloué en fer à cheval. Il s’agit de l’authentique botte George de l’armée britannique, introduite en 1952 pour remplacer la botte Wellington, traditionnellement portée comme botte de cérémonie, de soirée et de parade. C’est le modèle militaire original à éperons, avec le support de talon permettant d’y insérer les éperons réglementaires. Avec ses œillets plus hauts et ses quartiers reculés, l’authentique botte George militaire ne doit pas être confondue avec les modèles civils moins robustes ni avec les bottines Chukka, similaires mais plus basses, à lacets ou à boucles. L’effet global de la coupe et du laçage de la botte George, la ligne continue de l’empeigne, la disparition du laçage sous le pantalon, est celui d’une silhouette élégante et raffinée, et elle est tout aussi recommandée pour les tenues professionnelles que pour les jeans.

Out of stock