These boots were made for.....

.... me!

If you have not met 

my sweet blogging friend, Richard,

you need to do so.

Please take time to visit him

at his blog called

My Old Historic House.

This is Richard's lovely home.

And this is Richard. His kind soul shines right through his great smile.

Richard, and his beagle, Sissy,

live in a stately historic 1845 red brick 

mansion on the banks of the mighty

Mississippi River in Missouri.

Sissy!

Not only does Richard

host tours and events in his

gorgeous antique-filled home,

he also runs a fabulous antique and gift shop 

in his small town of Clarkssville, MO.


Every time you visit his blog,
you will learn something new
about an antique or a treasure
and a little bit of history.


You will also usually get blown
away by one of his extensive collections.
Richard has surrounded himself with
priceless furnishings and antiquities.
A virtual feast for the eyes!

But getting back on track....
 Richard,

being his kind and thoughtful self,

 recently emailed me photos 
of these very old and much-loved 
English riding boots he found 

while antiquing one day.

He thought I might like them.

:)

Correct!

(Another personal shopper! Yay!)

As soon as I saw them, 

I knew I had to have them. 

They have been patched twice,

and re-soled and have been worn 

for so many years that the black leather 

has been rubbed down 
to it's original brown in many areas. 

 They look to be from the mid to late 1800's
based on the style and condition.
(Would you agree, Richard?)

 Here is how they looked

when they arrived yesterday. 

A little TLC is needed

to revive the old patina of the leather.

I lightly wiped them with lemon oil,

but will buy some leather

conditioner to bring back some of the shine.

One patch is round.

And one patch is not!

Here they are after I wiped them off with a bit of lemon oil.

Once I get the patina restored,

I am planning to take them to the

lamp shop and have them made into lamps.
(Disclaimer: Thick miter-edged board on bottom, brass rod behind.
No boot will be harmed in the making of these lamps. ) LOL

I love them.
Thanks, Richard!

Will share them with you again
when they are completed.

Now please go say hi to Richard, ok?
(Link here)

Tally-ho!

xoxoxox~

Alison

Update:
Thought I would add a couple
riding boot lamps that I have
drooled over lately.

(This pair used just the wooden stretchers!)