If this page of L.L. Bean’s 1939 catalog doesn’t inspire someone (hopefully Bean itself) to remake at least two of the three pairs of footwear pictured, I am going to be very disappointed. Requirements: 1. shoes must be made from Horween (Elk) leather (though I don’t think such a thing exists. Nick if you are out there chime in) and 2. must be handsewn in Maine. Anyone that does this, let me know and I will personally flog said boots until you sell at least 100 pairs.
Endless archives. Alex Carleton must feel like a kid in a candy store every season. Great post!
Brian, yes, I bet he does. This 1939 catalog is a real gem, I’m going to post it one page at a time so we can all savor it.
I have a vague recollection of buying moosehide mocs from Beans back in the ’70s. Can this possibly be right?
This would be doubly fantastic if it included the above-mentioned option to convert to a Bean Boot and back to a moccasin biannually.
I actually just bought a pair of LL Bean boots very similar to those from the 50’s. They are great. They still make a moc-boot thing that’s like a chopped version of those boots, but they aren’t nearly as rugged.
Change up for Winter! Like Grandpas
snow tires on the Impala.
The mocs are fantastic and I would gladly purchase these if they ever became available. It never ceases to amaze me that companies with such a rich heritage always fail to see the greatness they are sitting on, revisiting some of their past glories would certainly make a lot of people very very happy.
The boots look gr8, I’de buy a pair. And I’m sure that lots of guys here in Europe would also.
They have a kind of Alden Indy Boot going on on the bottom!!!…
The mocs are also very nice!!…..
In the meantime, you can drool over Yuketen’s Superior Hunt Boots. It’s about as close as you’ll get at the moment (and I’ve never seen these at any retailers). Maybe they could find a spot in the ACL shop?
http://www.yuketen.com/products_superior_fw2010.html
Elk season is about to open in Washington state so you may get your wish.
They look like Irish setter bottoms on hunting shoe tops. A rat-rod boot!
I wonder if anyone actually did the big switcheroo they were marketing? I would have to have a second pair just to get me through the turnaround.
I wish LL Bean would make a version for women!
I’ll take them for $2.75… Hell, I’ll even take them for $275!
No Elk – how about some Bison? I’ll be sitting by my phone all day, just in case Bean wants to make any moves.
very nice. i just picked up the new LL Bean Maine Lodge cap toe boots over the weekend. totally love them.
Those mocs on the bottom are interesting it almost looks like they have Belgian style soles rather than hard rubber
Think I’d need a discreet side zip…I already can’t be bothered to lace up my Bean boots and they’re only 8″ tall.
I’d be happy to buy just about anything from LLB featured in a pre 1975 catalog.
Anyone know if it’s easy to remove the Bean logo from the back of the boots? Will it damage the boot?
Check out the new Whites Vintage boot. Made in Spokane, Wa with Horween hides.
http://www.whitesboots.com/index.php?dispatch=categories.view&category_id=492
Those 10in ones are sweet!!!! The top of a bean boot sewn onto a moccasin bottom!! YES PLEASE!
These don’t seem that far off either: http://quoddystore.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=58&osCsid=fbh56v1sfhmhrm0ahpgs6npp14