officer's boots

Pair of Officer's black leather boots. High ankle length, pull on with buckled ankle strap. Leather soles. The instep has been marked with the initials HJC in small tacks, most of which have fallen out. A boot strap at the back in strong ribbon tape states 'Southall's Patent'. An advertisement in the Review of Reviews, Feb. 1897 states: 'No Laces, no Seams put on in a moment, greatly, support the ankles, and the grandest and most comfortable boots ever invented for Walking, Riding, Skating, Footballing, Cricketing, or indeed any occupation whatever. The engraving shows how the trousers may be worn in wet weather.'