Pattern Button Boots, England, 1870s

These rare handmade pattern button boots, dating to the 1870s, are a remarkable example of Victorian English footwear craftsmanship, likely produced in the small shoe factory of Jesse Thompson in Bingley. Intended as sample boots for traveling merchants, they were used to showcase the latest shoe fashions to rural clientele—an elegant fusion of practicality and promotional artistry.

Crafted from fine leather, each boot features 12 original buttons and hand-finished buttonholes, reflecting the meticulous attention to detail typical of 19th-century English shoemaking. With a sole length of approx. 16.5 cm and a height of approx. 20.5 cm, these boots were likely made for display rather than wear, preserving their structure and finish in exceptionally good condition.

This rare pair of Victorian sample button boots is ideal for collectors of antique shoes, English fashion history, or museum-quality footwear, offering a tangible link to the marketing traditions and artisanal excellence of 19th-century Britain.