1950s Custom Cowboy Boots

Made by Dixon's Boot Company. Wichita Falls, Texas

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These are looking for a new home... see my Vintage Cowboy Boot Exchange for details...

Jack Reed

Cowboy. Rodeo Star. Civil Engineer. Bootmaker. Artist. Teacher. Not much I can say about Jack Reed that hasn’t been said better before... the man and his work are legendary.

Jack Reed in his Llano, Texas shop

An intelligent man who enjoyed conversation, Reed learned from the best. Leno Trujillio, Rios of Raymondville, Lucchese, Ray Jones. I don’t think it irrelevant that Reed and Jones were both interested in engineering. And like Ray Jones, Reed was a perfectionist, a man committed to his art.

"Some folks like to play golf or fish, but I enjoy the 372 steps of boot making." - Jack Reed

Mr. Reed made this pair of Cowboy boots boots in the late 1970s, a few years after his decision to "return" to making custom boots. Like the man who made them they are remarkable. The art of the Jack Reed. The art of the boot.

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Bespoke Cowboy Boots by Jack Reed

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Mr. Reed organized the first Boot, Leather and Saddle Makers Roundup. It was held in Burnet, Texas over twenty years ago. Kathy and Eddie Kimmel carry on the tradition. The 21st Annual Boot and Saddle Makers Roundup will be held October 2nd & 3rd 2009 in Witchita Falls, Texas. Tip of the hat to those good folks.

Reed also taught boot making... a one-week long 40-hour crash course in the finer points of making western style boots. More than thirty students studied under Mr. Reed. Many took to the work, and it is hard work... they continue to make custom boots in the tradition of their teacher.

Jack Reed died in 2004. He was 81 years old and had spent over 40 years making custom boots for cowboys, ranchers, businessmen and celebrities.

"They are a part of our life in Texas. We wear them because our daddies wore them, and everybody around you wears them. They go back to the days of the cattle drives, and they are still used as work boots today." - Jack Reed

Seems to me that the hereafter must be a darn good place to get yourself that pair of custom boots you've always dreamed of...

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Richard Cook was Jack Reeds' last student. He bought the business when Mr. Reed retired in 2000. Cook, a former Texas Ranger and a fine artist, takes pride in his Texas heritage and promotes Reed's belief that when cowboy boots are made right, they are works of art and engineering. His shop, Richard Cook Custom Boots, is in Seguin, Texas.

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Boots: Collection J. Davis
Photo of Jack Reed: Jim Arndt
Photography: J. Davis

1948 Nocona Boot Co. Catalog No. 77

I've been a fan of vintage Nocona cowboy boots for longer than I can remember. Damn good cowboy boots. First class all the way.

This 1948 Nocona Boot Co. Catalog No. 77 was printed during what the late Tyler Beard referred to as the "Golden Age of Cowboy Boots". Inspired design. Master Craftsmen. Savvy Marketing. And a lot of hard work.The Nocona Cowboy Boot in all its' glory.

Ms. Enid Justin and her "boys" at Nocona were on a roll. Catalogs were the axle on which that Nocona wheel rolled. Their catalogs were mailed out, handed out and handed down. There are some extraordinary cowboy boots on these pages.





























Ms. Enid had a passion for Cowboy boots. She was an astute business woman as well. Nocona's mail order forms and self-measuring kits reflected her understanding of the market.

All "penciled in" prices on the pages of this catalog were at the hand of the original owner. The price list, order forms and a self-measuring kit associated with this catalog are posted in the archives. See: 1948 Nocona Boot Co. Mail Order Kit

1948 Nocona Boot Catalog No. 77: Collection of J. Davis
Photography: J. Davis

1948 Nocona Boot Co. Mail Order Kit

Sent out with a catalog and tape measure, these materials completed a Nocona Boot Company Mail Order Kit.

A cowboy could order a "stock" boot. The order form was simple and easy to use. Or he could spend an extra couple of bucks and Nocona would make the boots custom for him. Either way he received a tremendous value for his dollar.

"If it is Snap, Style, Quality, Fit or Workmanship that you want in your Boots, we are ready to give you the benefit of the years of experience, thus assuring you of every particular."

The Catalog that was an integral part of this mail order kit is available for your viewing pleasure and edification. See: 1948 Nocona Boot Co. Catalog No. 77

Nocona Mail Order Kit: J. Davis
Photography: J. Davis