The inscription "T L" on these early 20th century ladies button-up boots lead to the maker likely to be Tony Lama, a famous USA boot manufacturer, son of Italian immigrants. The "Rome" is the style of boot. The "6" is likely to be the soot size. Tony Lama began work at age 11 years in the leather trade industry, serving an apprenticeship as a shoemaker. He joined the US Cavalry when he was 16, after lying about his age, working as a cobbler to make boots for the soldiers. His workmanship became popular, particularly for the 'Western' style of boot. TONY LAMA boots In 1911 Lama established a company in Texas, first repairing boots, then adapting his shop to manufacture boots in order to meet the many orders he was receiving. He married and he and his wife Esther brought up six children who also went on to work in the family business. The business continued to grow through WWII. Part of the business included custom boot making and Tony's eldest son Joseph presented President Truman with a pair of kangaroo skin boots. The prosperous business became a company and eventually, in 1990, was sold to Justin Industries.This pair of boots is an example of women's footwear dating around the early 20th century. Pair of ladies leather button-up boots. Two-tone style: black bottom strong leather bottom and white, soft kid leather top. Boots have a curved fly fastened by 11 white buttons with metal shanks. Boots are constructed with cork filling. Inscriptions of both boots. "6 101" "TL" " Rome" "Cork Filled"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum & village, ladies button up boots, footwear, victorian era, granny boots, tony lama, ladie's boots, ladies' fashion, women's clothing, rome, kid leather, two-tone boots, leather boots, button-up boots

Pair Ladies Black Boots. 9 black Bakerlite and metal buttons with matching stitched eyelet button holes. Black leather sole with nailed black leather heel, slightly worn. Decorative stitching and punching across toe with slight scratching of leather on toe. Button hole tab inner lining of black leather. Inner lining of material . Inner sole of split tan leather. Solid inner toe and heel puffs with slight wear on external toe and heel puff leather.Oval stamp on sole with "TD and ALL LEATHER". Size 2 stamped on sole instep.

Pair of Ladies leather button up boots. Left one has 6 D 461, right one 6 D 461 White buttonSStamped TL Rome.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village

Pair of Ladies leather button up boots. Left one has 4 E 461, right one 5 E 461 White buttons with black centre. Stamped TL Romeflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village

Pair of Ladies leather button up boots. Left one has 4 E 461, right one 5 E 461 White buttons with black centre. Stamped TL Romeflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village

Pair of Ladies leather button up boots. Left one has 7 E 451, right one 7 E 461 White buttons with black centre. Stamped TL Romeflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village

Pair of Ladies leather button up boots. Left one has 6 E 461, right one 5 E 461 White buttons with black centre. Stamped TL Rome.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village

Brown grained leather. Decorative stitching and punching over toe with some scuffing of colour. Fine machine stitching on body of shoe. Leather pull up strap on back of foot well. 2 button hooks at top each side of instep. 4 shoe lace eyelets down each side instep with 2 pairs of short brown cotton laces on each instep. Nailed leather sole and built up heel slightly scuffed. Grained leather inner soleSize 5 stamped on sole near toe. Stamped circle with "ALL LEATHER .IHM(in calligraphy font) on mid sole.