Category Archives: Cowboy Boots

Cowboy Boots

Art of the Boot (in paperback)

Time to take your copy of Art of the Boot off the coffee table… and tuck it into the bookshelf. This hardcover classic is now out of stock and out of print.

Art of the Boot is now available in paperback and priced at $15.72 (That’s less half it’s previous cover price.) This book’s full color pages measure a generous 8½ x 10½” …which means the Jim Arndt photos inside give you details so clear …you can count the rows of stitches on nearly every pair!

Originally released in 1999, this book profiles 28 of America’s finest bootmakers, and includes examples from the work of many others. The cowboy boots were borrowed from museum and personal collections, and this book allows us a rare chance to stare, ponder and admire these intricate designs.

You can read a sample chapter of this book by visiting the Texas Monthly website.

Stay on the lookout. There are often reasonably priced hardcover editions of Art of the Boot available from Abebooks.com… or for for something truly special, contact Back at the Ranch which often has signed copies of Tyler Beard’s books.

(The page shown below is a peek at the signed copy Tyler sent me.)

P.S. The book How The West was Worn is also in paperback. (Click here for more great books about cowboy boots)

Cowboy Boots

Distress Signal

Yes, it’s true. I can see into the future.

A year ago I wrote about “adding character” to your boots. Today, Lucchese will charge you $493.95 and save you all the trouble.

The men’s distressed Pony-Brown-Buffalo cowboy boot (pictured above) is one of a few of “new” hand-worn styles now available from Lucchese…no one will ever guess that you’ve got a cushioned insole hidden under all that onery style.

What’s next? I predict a return to the “rough-out,” suede-footed boot with a smooth leather stitched top. My hunch is next year we’ll get a wider, squarer selection of toe styles.

(Hey! …but thanks to Back at the Ranch, you can be just one step ahead.)

Cowboy Boots

Cowboy Boots Worn by Andy Warhol

Christie’s auction house is having a sale of entertainment memorabilia on June 22, 2006 (New York.) Telephone & online bidding is welcome.

Included among the many lots… there are two containing cowboy boots owned by the artist, Andy Warhol.

The boots pictured here are a pair of Olsen Stelzer (Henrietta, TX) in green, white and brown leather, size 8½, complete with its original box. These are the ones to buy… because when we think about Warhol we think about colorful work, and bold personal style.

Some folks buy vintage boots based on size, artistic flair, or a maker’s label… but even factory made boots become interesting, once you know someting about the previous owner.

Here’s a tip for your own collecting…

Check back with Ebay sellers once you’ve won your item. See if you can get information about the previous owners of the boots, family names, occupation, or the city in which he/she lived. Experienced dealers will expect questions like this from serious buyers. Family members will often be happy to reply to a respectful inquiry.

Even a short phrase like “My wife’s Daddy used to wear these in the parade every year,” might not seem like much, but keeping track of information like this adds to value and charm to your cowboy boots.

Photo courtesy of Christie’s.