Alden Norwegian Split toe limited edition

Now it is obvious The Patina designer, artist The Grand Duke of patina is back from his well earned and deserved vacation. I am not a fan of Aldens (USA) shoes, however I have two pairs of Norwegian split toe on Black cordovan and Shell 8 (more dark burgundy). When I saw this transformation from the almost nothing saying colour to the Limited Edition, I was taken back and with a good reason too. A well renditioned patina design and colouring. Well done Grand Duke Of patina.

Alden Limited Edition of a Norwegian split toe processing

Photo(s) sourced from Dandy Shoe Care

Shoe terminology illustrated

For a time I took it for granted that all of shoe blog readers we familiar with the terminology describing the shoe anatomy, then I realised that I was mistaken. Fortunate enough I did find a visual illustration naming the parts of a shoe. WIth the below depicted pictures we can now close the discrepancy.

Shoe anatomy illustrated (Full Brogue Oxford)

More shoe anatomy (Derby shoe)

More anatomy (Norwegian split toe)

Photos sourced from Meermin Tumblr

Vintage American made alligator shoes

To be nostalgic about an era long gone and unknown to me. I found these alligator shoes made by American shoe companies who no longer produce this type of handcrafted items. The two pairs sampled here are from Bostonian and Florsheim, the latter being/was a Chicago based shoe company. 
These shoes are just beautiful and stunning and have aged very well over time. 

A vintage three tier plain Derby by Bostonian (USA)

 A Norwegian split toe Derby alligator by Florsheim (USA) from the 1940's.

Photos sourced from Vintage Shoes Addict

Spigola - aka Koji Sozuki weekend teasers

For the weekend teaser I have sampled these bespoke beauties from Spigola aka Koji Suzuki (Japan). From top clock wise, a double monk, split toe Norwegian in suede, a penny loafer in exotic leather, a side gusset in exotic leather, stitched cap tow laced Oxford in exotic leather and a wing tipped brown Derby. Enjoy these appetisers.

Koji Suzuki aka Spigola weekend teasers

Photo sourced from BOQ

A sea of Alden's - What a collection

As I was browsing cyberspace for more men's shoes and accessories, I noted that someone, somewhere on this continent had a "thing", obsession for Alden shoes. Alden is one of the few shoemaking companies that is still producing good quality shoes in the USA. 

As a humble owner of three pairs of Alden shoes, of which all are the Norwegian split toe Derby, in black cordovan, dark burgundy cordovan and brown suede (similar to the "Cavendish") in Polo suede from Crockett and Jones. As said this gent has 72 (seventy two) pairs of Alden's in all styles and looks in his collection, but what caught my attention was that he has at least eight (8) pairs of the NST (Norwegian split toe), is that an overkill, not to mention 72 pairs of shoes from the same shoemaker. Anyway.. the collection is impressive. Judge yourself.

Impressive collection of Alden's from one man

Photo sourced from Bespoke Makers

Nettleton's from the USA - lamenting an era lost

As a shoe lover, I have to go backwards in time to find out what the old shoe masters or companies created to get a clue of what was made and what I desire. Now from time to time under my quest, I do happen to come across long forgotten companies, gems, shoe masters who once roamed and conquered the art of shoe making. In my quest I came across "The Nettleton Shoe Company", but then I realised that I had seen some of their creations and products earlier in my life as a kid. My favourite shoe from this company (not knowing) was the Norwegian split toe. Currently I own three pairs from Alden (one black cordovan, one shell 8 cordovan and a suede (my favourite)). As a kid I thought that Nettleton was called "need a ton", as the owner of these wonderful shoes nicknamed them "need a ton" and it was a pair of split Norwegian in two tones. So it's easy to understand my excitement  when I found this beauties and the real company name on the net. 

An ad from Nettleton from about 1909 - two toned balmoral boot. 

Below text taken from the Internet (Japanese blog here):

Nettleton shoe company (USA) 

A.E. Nettleton Company, founded here in 1879, considered its product to be the Rolls Royce of footwear. The company designed and introduced the Loafer in 1937. Since then this shoe has become classic American footwear.Nettleton has produced footwear for over a 100 years. The Wright brothers, Theodore Roosevelt, and Charles Lindbergh are few of the famous people who wore Nettleton ShoesNETTLETON COMPANY SLOGAN..."AMERICAS SLOWEST MADE SHOE"....THE COMPANY HAD/HAS A SELLAR REPUTATION. IT PROVIDED FINE MEN'S STORES IN THE US WITH HANDMADE SHOESTHE COMPANY STARTED IN 1879-1984....SYRACUSE, NEW YORK...IN 1990 THEY RESUMED BUSINESS WHEN THE NAME WAS BOUGHT BY A DIFFERENT COMPANY!!U.S. Shoe AddsPublished: December 29, 1984The United States Shoe Corporation said it had agreed to acquire the brand name Nettleton for men's footware and certain other assets of the A.E. Nettleton Company. Terms were not disclosed. It said the Nettleton brand footwear would be manufactured by its men's division in Beloit, Wis.

A simple Norwegian split toe in whiskey colour. 

One Eye let Tan Norwegian split toe in tan colour

Norwegian split toe in two tones Crocodile and Suede, this was the combination I saw as a kid and was  very up taken by this shoe. I personally think, it is the best rendition of of a Norwegian derby. Amazing rendition.

Nettleton did not only offer RTW but also bespoke offerings, below it is a rendition of a bespoke strapped loafer made of sea turtle from about 1960's. Very astonishing shoes. 

View each picture, look at the details and admire. Some is selling this pair on the internet and as you can see, they are pristine.

Pictures sourced from the Internet