2018/27/1-2

Jodhpur style boots, made of tan leather and fastened with a leather strap with a silver buckle. Jodhpur boots were originally designed for riding and were intended as an alternative to tall rising boots. They were widely worn for fashionable purposes as well as riding and, by the early twentieth century, had become widely available for the consumer market. These boots are thought to date from the 1930s and have been resoled. They are believed to have come from a Quaker household in Hertfordshire.

1 pair of boots: leather with welting: Fair condition

Pre-MERL description – ‘These riding boots probably date from 1930s. They came from a Quaker household in Hertfordshire, Originally related to the Clarks shoe co family from Somerset. Married name Walker, also Quakers. // They were resoled many years ago, but are very narrow. Maybe they could be in your collection rather like Gertrude Jekylls gardening boot, of their time and of the rural life. Hope so.’, Email, Rebecca Shawcross to Rachael Rogers [collections assistant, MERL], 25 June 2018 – ‘Welting would indicate a Northampton or Northamptonshire manufacturer but which one is difficult to pinpoint. // The style is called a jodhpur boot and they have an equestrian root, being developed for riding after the ‘invention ‘of the jodhpur trousers designed in 1890, but they were rarely used for riding. It is similar to other ankle boots including the Chelsea boot of that time but what makes this a jodhpur boot is the straps round the ankle. The name is thought to have originated in India in the 1920s. // We have a similar pair in the collection from around in 1937 and I will send you’re their database entry with image. A number of Northampton factories would have made the style including G.T Hawkins and Sanders and Sanders of Rushden who are still manufacturing jodhpur boots today. // I would say that there is a strong possibility that they were made in Northampton and I’m happy with the date but who exactly made them is more difficult given that many factories would have manufactured them. // Best regards // Rebecca’, Email, Tim Crumplin to Rachael Rogers [collections assistant, MERL], 12 June 2018 – ‘Rachael: // Thank you for your enquiry relating to the Riding Boots that you have been gifted by an anonymous donor. // Having research the subject, there does not appear to be an obvious family connection between the Walkers and the Clarks, certainly not in the recent past (post 1900). // I have come across similar pairs of Riding Boots in the Clark family collection that would probably date from the 1930s and 1940s as you suggest with your pair, but would be unable to ascertain whether these are typical of that type of boot, or something that might have been specifically produced by Clarks, for members of the family. // Applying my knowledge of the business, Clarks only started to produce Men’s shoes (having ceased to manufacture them in the 1900s) after WWII and initially tended to concentrate on manufacturing techniques based upon different principals than welting, which I think these probably are. The best manufacturers of welts would have originated from Northampton and I suspect Northampton Shoe Museum curated by Rebecca Shawcross would be better placed to give you some idea of a potential manufacturer or have footwear in their collection which would be better documented from which you might be able to make a positive identification of your boots. // Our shoe curator works part time, but when she is next here, I will discuss your enquiry with her in the hope that she might be able to add any information. // Meanwhile, the best of luck with your search. // Regards, // Tim.’

Northamptonshire

Leather, Rubber, Metal, Metal

Nailed, Stitched, Welted