Product Details
MAXWELL FOR PEAL & CO., LONDON
A FINE AND RARE PAIR OF OFFICER'S PRIVATE PURCHASE SILVER PLATED AND ENGRAVED MESS-BOOT SPURS,
late 19th to early 20th century, of usual horseshoe form with centre retaining heel-bar, the thickly silver plated outer faces fully chisel engraved with acanthus foliage and fitted with florally shaped and engraved rowels, the underside of each spur stamped 'MAXWELL 161 PICCADILLY LONDON', together with their twin leather 'holster bucket' storage case signed 'PEAL & CO, 487 OXFORD STREET LONDON W.'
Other Notes: The illustrious firm of Peal & Company, Bootmakers ran from 1791 to 1965 producing bespoke footwear for 174 years. The founder of the family firm was Samuel Peal, a shoe maker from Wirksworth, Derbyshire who came to London and established himself at Stepney Green. Peal had taken out a patent for rendering clothing materials waterproof by finely brushing them with a coat of caoutchouc, Indian rubber solution. The process quickly proved its worth, Peal's boots and shoes quickly becoming renowned for their comfort and durability. The success of their products allowed the firm to relocate to the more prestigious West End, at 7 Frederick Place, Tottenham Court Road. Further moves took place in 1830 to 11 Duke Street, Grosvenor Square; in 1886 to 487 Oxford Street and finally in 1958 to 48 Wigmore Street.
In the course of its 174 year history, control of Peal and Company passed through six generations of the Peal family. The second incumbent, Nathaniel Peal was apprenticed in April 1808 and went on to display a selection of boots at the Great Exhibition of 1851. A century later, Peal and Co.'s products were shown at the Festival of Britain exhibition. The firm also had trade stands at the Badminton, Burghley and Hickstead horse trials, and at the Royal International Horse Show and Horse of the Year Show. Attending such prestigious events helped Peal and Company attain a reputation that was second to none. Their exhaustive list of clientele included not only English and foreign members of the Royal families, but in later years many stars of stage and screen including Fred Astaire and Steve McQueen. A lack of available craftsmen coupled with no-one wishing to take up apprenticeships caused their eventual sad demise.
Henry Maxwell was a renowned spur maker who founded his company in 1750 and his original spur collection is still kept today at the firms current home of 83 Jermyn Street. Maxwell thrived on the use of the horse for battle, ceremony, hunting, sport and personal transport, and ultimately supplied boots for cavalry regiments, hunting, polo etc. By the early 19th century the firm was prospering internationally, exhibited at the 1851 Great Exhibition and was awarded the first of its many Royal Warrants by King George IV. By the early 20th century, Henry Maxwell had grown dramatically, supplying boots, shoes and a wide range of riding and hunting accessories across the British Empire from shops in London and Paris.
Early in the 20th century the firm absorbed the Royal military bootmakers Faulkner & Son and traded successfully from 8 & 9 Dover Street, off Piccadilly,
then from Savile Row and 177 New Bond Street under the ownership of Savile Row tailors Huntsman. In 1999, the business moved to Vigo Street before settling in 83 Jermyn Street, the home of its sister company Foster & Son, where it continues to prosper in the same private ownership.
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Estimate £100-200