ALDEN FOR BLACKBIRD: FRANK OSGOOD SERIES SADDLE SHOES

Designed by Blackbird in collaboration with Alden of New England, custom bootmakers since 1884, this series of saddle shoes was inspired by Seattle historical figure, Frank Osgood and his horse drawn and electrical streetcars. His contributions helped Seattle become a more modernized city and dramatically changed its street culture, helping Seattle's working man keep his shoes clean on his daily way through town and making his gal's Sunday afternoon picnics at Lake Washington as easy as hopping on a trolley.

1884 - Frank Osgood, widely known as the father of Seattle's public-transportation system, begins operating a horse-drawn trolley on Sept. 23. Passengers pay a nickel for a trip along steel tracks, laid in the mud of Second Avenue.

1887 - Osgood's horses — known also as "hayburners" — have trouble with Seattle's hills, so cars pulled by cables beneath the street are introduced. The Lake Washington Cable Railway, linking Leschi and Pioneer Square, is especially popular in the summer, when people ride along Yesler Way or Madison Street for a picnic at the lake.

1889 - Osgood unveils Seattle's first electric streetcar, despite fears that the line would magnetize pocket watches and shock horses with stray bolts of electricity. On the first run, a car stalls, forcing passengers to push it to the end of the line.

Within days, horse-drawn trolleys are phased out, making Seattle the first West Coast city to offer fully electric streetcar service.

Alden for Blackbird - Hayburner Saddle Shoe

in #8 burgundy cordovan and black alpine grain leather

STYLE: Saddle Oxford
LAST: Barrie
UPPER: black alpine premium leather and color #8 Horween cordovan
OUTSOLE: black, single thickness
INSOLE: vegetable tanned leather insoles with the "Made expressly for Blackbird" heel pod
MID-SOLE: cork midsole with steel shank for long-lasting strength and support
LACING: round Cordohyde lacing through six pairs of brass agatine eyelets
WELT: high quality matching Goodyear leather single welt construction
LINING: fully leather lined.
SIZING: These shoes run large. We recommend sizing down half a size. If you don't see the size you're looking for, please contact us for assistance.

sizes: 7.5 D to 12 D

$520

Alden for Blackbird - Leschi Picnic Saddle Shoe

in black calf and navy blue suede

STYLE: Saddle Oxford

LAST: Barrie
UPPER: premium black city calf leather and navy calf suede
OUTSOLE: durable, water-resistant single Waterloc outsole
INSOLE: vegetable tanned leather insoles with the "Made expressly for Blackbird" heel pod
MID-SOLE: cork midsole with steel shank for long-lasting strength and support
LACING: round Cordohyde lacing through five pairs of brass agatine eyelets
WELT: high quality light antique colored Goodyear single welt construction
LINING: fully leather lined.
SIZING: These shoes run large. We recommend sizing down half a size. If you don't see the size you're looking for, please contact us for assistance.

sizes: 7.5 D to 12 D

$400

TO PURCHASE: Please email info@blackbirdballard.com until the items are available on BlackbirdBallard.com.