Dating Tatar Boots

[Lily K.Chadwick]

Hi, I was hoping that someone could assist me in dating the following pair of Tatar boots, which I recently acquired.
I believe that they date to the beginning of the 20th century, however any help in confirming/refuting this would be much appreciated!

Thanks in advance

 

[Jonathan]

So hard to date because they are made in a traditional style that didn't change for a century. We had several pairs at the museum that all looked identical to yours but sources dated them everywhere from the 1880s to the 1950s.

 

[Lily K.Chadwick]

Hi, thanks for your reply! I suspected it might be quite a tricky one to pin down a date
Would a photo of the heel/sole be of any help?

 

[thespectrum]

Those are fantastic!

 

[Lily K.Chadwick]

Thanks! They're quickly becoming a favourite of mine.
I've added a couple of more shots:

 

[Pinkcoke]

I think I have only seen that turned circular mark on the sole on 19thC footwear (the one that is a circle within a circle). I haven't found out what it is yet, but I suspect it is created during one of the processes used in making the boots.

I am intrigued by the crosshatching and horizontal impressions on the sole, the latter looks like it was decorative, while the former might have been intended to give grip, if it extended over the rest of the sole originally. There does appear to be an oval mark on the close up of the single sole you've shown - can you try and take a rubbing of this and the letters on the leather half-sole to see if any more detail is revealed? (like a brass rubbing with chalk/wax crayon/pencil over paper you may get different results with each)
I am getting 19thC newspaper results for EAB & Co, as the oval mark on the photo of this name appears to cross over the leather half sole I wonder if it was the manufacturer or a trading company. I also see some of the results are mispells for EAR & Co. which is also a possibility for your mark.

 

[poppysvintageclothing]

Those are really lovely boots!

 

[The Vintage Merchant]

omgosh, Lily!! what a fantastic acquisition! congratulations!

 

[Lily K.Chadwick]

Many thanks for all of your replies!

Melanie, thanks ever so much for your help! At the moment the boots are in storage(though I'm admittedly unused to dealing with leather of this age and have been wondering on the best way to maintain them), but I'll be sure to get a rubbing from the soles tomorrow.

One thing I do believe them to be missing is the original lining, which based on other examples I've seen, tended to be in bright colours.

Thanks again for your help, despite my lateness in replying, I do very much appreciate what an invaluable help you all are!

Kind Regards

 

[Lily K.Chadwick]

Pincoke- It was just to say that I've just attempted to take a few rubbings from the soles and I'm afraid that it's not really producing any results, bar the crosshatching(very slightly) and the horizontal grooves, as the markings seem to be too shallow. As for the small round marks, these do appear a few times spread over the middle of the soles of the boots and seem to have a miniscule incision in the middle of each, if this is of any help?
Thanks again for your help and if any additional pictures would be useful, I'd be more than happy to take some!

Lastly, I've been trying to find out what the best type of auction/which auctioneer it would be best to consign them with and was wondering if any of you knew whether Kerry Taylor's deals with antique footwear?

Kind Regards

 

[Pinkcoke]

Yes she does take antique footwear, as with all her items, it is only those worth £100 and above in their estimation. You can contact her by e-mail and she will let you know if they would accept it into their auctions.

 

[Lily K.Chadwick]

Many thanks for your reply!