John Lobb
St. James, London
Antique Bespoke “Tuczek” Style Gusseted Slipper
Circa 1970

Euro 1250

The present shoe is thought to date from the 1970s and is one of the finest examples of both John Lobb’s bespoke work and the designs of the greatest master of the 20th century, Nikolaus Tuczek. The sculpting of the sole moulded over the steel shank, the dramatic flair at the ball of the foot and the perfect symmetry of the parts bear witness to its inestimable important place in the history of shoemaking,

The gusseted side elastic is in the tradition of the great master Nikolaus Tuczek, late of #17 Clifford Street, W1. For an example from the old Lobb catalogue of what they name “Tuczek Style”, see:www.johnlobbltd.co.uk/catalogue/fullsize_images/Website_shoes_boots/Websiteshoes/Mensshoes/Elasticsidedshoes/Elasticsidesplain/elastic_plain_3.htm, Mr. John Hunter Lobb confirmed to me in a phone conversation that, “We took over the remnant of Tuczek in 1968.” There can be little doubt that the style of this shoe owes much to that past master. Compare the more than usually chiseled toe of this shoe to the example of Tuczek’s work elsewhere in this website.

John Lobb bespoke shoes start at £5000 for shoes and £1000 for shoe-trees. http://www.johnlobbltd.co.uk/pricelist/

Size Details:

Shoe Condition:

With the exception of the elastic gussets that have been replaced at some time in the past, these treasures are all original and lightly worn, with the slightest rounding of the rubber heel inserts. A few trivial flaws and slight checking, nevertheless superb.