I recently purchased a pair of shoes from Alden of New England. I got the Norwegian Split Toe in calfskin leather. They are by far the most expensive pair of shoes I have ever owned ($570 including tax). One reason that Alden shoes are so expensive is that they are made from excellent construction with the finest leather. The leather comes from the Chicago based Tanner, Horween. (www.horween.com). When you look at pictures from a tannery like the one above you come to understand that the elegant leather on your feet, your watch and your car come from less than elegant beginnings. It is truly a sausage making type operation. But quality leather is an essential, yet costly, part of sterling products. My car's seats are wrapped in leather from the Scottish tanner Bridge of Weir. (http://www.bowleather.co.uk).
I have learned that the best leather available is known as Shell Cordovan. Shell Cordovan comes from the tail end of a horse and is apparently the smoothest and best leather available. Since horses cannot be slaughtered for hides, the only Shell Cordovan available comes from horses who have died of old age, illness etc.... One horse will produce only a single pair of Shell Cordovan shoes. Consequently, the shoes are very expensive. I chose to pass on the Shell Cordovan's this time, given the $635 price tag. But maybe next time.
In the mean time I will be enjoying this wonderful purchase:
