Description

Albertin was an old Parisian shoemaker from the 1920's to the 1970's. Trained by Grand (future Daliet Grand​,​ one of the best shoemaker in the world before 1945)​,​ Albertin was in the tradition of the Parisian shoemaker of the interwar period. It features a sturdy construction (on par with the Londonian West End shoemakers such as John Lobb​,​ Foster & Son​,​ Henri Maxwell​,​ and others)​,​ a refined aesthetic suited for the aristocracy and haute bourgeoisie​,​ and a level of handwork and details unattainable today​,​ even by the best shoemakers. Albertin was one of the very best of his generation​,​ receiving the highest award for a French shoemaker: the gold medal for Meilleur Ouvrier de France (a competition held every four years to recognise the craftsmanship of each trade between professionals). He was also awarded for his talent as a shoemaker another commendation: the National Order of Merit with the rank of Knight. His shop was located at 23 Rue Pasquier​,​ in the chic 8th Arrondissement near the Madeleine Church​,​ where his old mentor Grand used to be. His style is very uncommon these days and can only be found on old shoes from incredible but forgotten shoemakers like Bunting​​​,​​​ Hellstern​​​,​​​ Daliet Grand​,​ Noivo​​​,​​​ or the legendary Tuczek (Churchill's shoemaker​,​ inventor of many shoe styles still in used today like the lazyman and mentor of George Cleverley). I propose one example of Albertin's incredible work: a brown split-toe derbies with a "cousu baraquette". This type of welt (also called english or french welt depending on the country) is very difficult to achieve since you need to welt all around the shoe and not stop at the heel. It is the perfect pair from autumn to spring​​​,​​​ with a variety of trousers (brown​,​ grey​,​ green​,​ burgundy​,​ navy​,​ earthy colours) and fabric (corduroy​,​ flannel​,​ tweed​,​ cashmere). The patina is stunning and will become more beautiful with time. As always with Albertin​​​,​​​ everything is done by hand​​​,​​​ from the stitching of the upper to the soles. You cannot find such level of craft these days. The split-toe is handmade​,​ under the skin​,​ a rare feat these days​,​ of far superior quality than any other brand such as JM Weston Chasse or Edward Green Dover. The seamless heel is perfectly executed with no space between the welt and the upper. The bespoke shoetrees are included as well. The condition is excellent albeit a few signs of wear on the upper. The sole is still very firm and will last you a long time. The size is similar to a 9​​UK​​​/​​​43​​EU. Check the measurements below to be sure it fits you: - Length of the left shoe: 30​,​2cm - Length of the inside left shoe: 28​,​8cm - Width of the left shoe: 10​,​7cm - Length of the right shoe: 30​,​1cm - Length of the inside right shoe: 28​,​6cm - Width of the right shoe: 11cm The quality is equivalent to the following bespoke houses: - In England: John Lobb Ltd Bootmaker​​​,​​​ Nikolaus Tuczek​​​,​​​ George Cleverley​​​,​​​ Dominic Casey​​,​​ Foster & Son​​,​​ Gaziano & Girling​​,​​ Henri Maxwell​ - In Italy: Stefano Bemer​​,​​ Ricardo Freccia Bestetti​​,​​ Gatto​,​ Marini​​,​​ Pettrocchi​​,​​ Beppino Rampin​​,​​ Roberto Ugolini​​,​​ - In France: Aubercy​​​,​​​ Berluti​​,​​ Corthay​​​,​​​ John Lobb Paris​​,​​ Massaro​​,​​ Philippe Atienza​​​,​​​ Stephane Jimenez​ - In Japan: Yohei Fukuda​​​,​​​ Eiji Murata​​,​​ Tye Shoemaker If you have questions regarding the shoes​​​,​​​ don't hesitate to ask. Possible to try them in Paris 15th Arrondissement