John Lobb
Paris
Antique Bespoke Shell 4-Eyelet Derby (Blucher)
Circa 1975

Euro 650

Little need be said about this good shoemaker, neither the family run shop in London nor its branch opened in Paris at the beginning of the last century and acquired by Hermès in 1976. John Lobb is of course, the premiere workshop for traditional English Shoes and stands noticeably above even the other superior shoemakers such as Church´s or Crockett & Jones, Alden, Weston etc., and along with Edward Green and (I believe) the old Peal & Co., is in the top category of shoemakers in the world. Ready made shoes from Lobb are in the $1200-1600 category and John Lobb bespoke shoes start at £5000 for shoes and £1000 for shoe-trees. http://www.johnlobbltd.co.uk/pricelist/

The present shoe is a superb example of the great traditions of shoemaking and, for being made in the Paris shop, something of a rarity even among Lobb’s bespoke shoes. Considering that English Lobb’s bespoke shoes are made by a variety of “cottage” contractors and vary in style of hand-work and construction, a word needs to be said about this particular shoe made in the workrooms above the Paris shop by one fixed team of craftsmen. Unlike the English bespoke shoes, quality does not vary and some believe it is superior to the former. What is certain is that the sculpted form of sole and moulded instep are as close to perfection in shoemaking as we will see. This shoe is a wearable prize for the advanced collector.

Size Details: