4.26.2008

Teitzel-Jones Cowboy Boots

This is the pair of boots I'd grab if my house was burning down.


Bespoke Cowboy boots made in Witchita, Kansas by Teitzel-Jones in the 1920s.






"J. C. Teitzel established himself as the premier cavalry officer bootmaker as he positioned his shop in 1875 just outside the main gate of Fort Riley, Kansas, the leading command for the U.S. Army’s Cavalry Corps. It makes one wonder if Custer died with Teitzel boots on."
- Daniel Lees


"In 1916, Teitzel moved his business to Wichita, Kansas, and joined with Schuyler Jones, Sr., to form the Teitzel-Jones Boot Company. They had the largest boot making plant in the Southwest. Teitzel brought with him a huge list of customers from Fort Riley that proved to be a boon during World War I. During the war, the company worked around the clock to make boots to supply the government. Jones would also go to many military posts to measure officers for custom-made boots. Teitzel-Jones were providers of boots for West Point Military Academy, the National Park Service and others. They became famous for their boots and shoes for military officers, cowboy boots, and custom made shoes."
- Michelle Enke

High-flown, jaw dropping cowboy boots























A master cordwainer and designer, J.C. Teitzel also created a line of "Made by Teitzel" leather fashions for women.

Daniel Lees, old coot, cowboy, writer and fellow keeper of the flame is authoring a book that will shine some well deserved, and long overdue light, on the art and the makers (including J.C. Teitzel) of tooled leather fashions and furnishings made from 1900 to 1929.

Tentatively titled Artistic, Modeled Leather of the Arts & Crafts Era, it will be published later this year by Schiffer Publishing Ltd.


Boot Photography: J. Davis.
Teitzel-Jones Cowboy Boots: Collection J. Davis.
Vintage Photographs: Collection J. Davis.

4.05.2008

Cowboy Boots: The Missing Index


Cowboy Boots by Tyler Beard is a book I refer to frequently. The photography by Jim Arndt is outstanding. Excellent... that's one word that comes to mind. Inclusive is the other. If you're reading this post Cowboy Boots should be on your book shelf. It is a standard reference on cowboy boots and the men and women who make them.

Boot Nut Extraordiniare Jennifer June referred to Cowboy Boots frequently while she was writing her cowboy boot book. There's a lot of information in Beard's book. June organized all that information and came up with The Missing Index Version 1.0. Her first eBook, it is an ideal companion to Cowboy Boots.

At $3.99 Jenn's eBook is a bargin. Help keep the flame alive and do yourself a favor, buy The Missing Index. Your purchase will support the work of The Cowboy Boot Web Page... and help you wrap your mind around the art of the boot.