Overview
A pair of tall, chestnut-brown leather officer-style riding boots featuring a distinctive embossed 'I' mark on the shaft.
Preliminary identification
Photo reference
1 uploaded photo
Overview
A pair of tall, chestnut-brown leather officer-style riding boots featuring a distinctive embossed 'I' mark on the shaft.
Story
Omaha, Nebraska, was once the beating heart of the American leather industry, and the Kirkendall Boot Company was its crown jewel. These boots were born in a city that sat at the crossroads of the Wild West and the industrializing East, serving as the primary…
Maker / Origin
Founded by Freeman P. Kirkendall in the late 19th century, the company grew to become one of the largest boot manufacturers west of the Mississippi.
Condition & Value
The leather appears remarkably well-preserved with a healthy luster and no visible dry rot or 'alligatoring' (cracking). There is standard creasing at the ankles consistent with light use, which adds character. Maintaining the suppleness of the leather is key to preserving their value.
Full Research
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
Build on this identification
Layer in sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance.
Comparable demand stays strongest where maker, originality, and venue confidence line up. Broader examples still trade, but the range tightens quickly when provenance, condition, or selling lane fit is missing.
Best Venue
Specialty auction or a focused dealer with buyers already in this lane.
Regional auction
· Jun 2024Signed example with light edge wear and original frame.
$1,280
Dealer archive
· Mar 2024Comparable format with stronger provenance and cleaner surface.
$1,450
Marketplace sale
· Jan 2024Smaller related piece with visible craquelure and trimmed margins.
$980
Estate platform
· Oct 2023Period match with softer condition and weaker subject matter.
$1,150
Auction result
· Aug 2023Close market lane comp with similar material and presentation.
$1,375