Got My "Seasoned" Classic Aldens... (Pics)

Alabama Jones · Post by **Alabama Jones** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 11:47 am

I just picked these up on Ebay (haven't got em yet).

Here's the description...

"...These boots where purchased from Lee (Keppler) in LA about in the mid to late 80's and he was the first to get the Indy costume and prop items into the market. He once ran an add in the back of a Lucas Film magazine or something similiar. These are the Raiders boots from what I can tell, a little darker than the Temple or Crusade versions...."

and pics...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... %3AIT&rd=1

I'm excited to have a backup pair for when I need my others reheeled and one I can keep "Indy-ish".

Which one of you guys did these belong too?

agent5 · Post by **agent5** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 12:15 pm

WOW! I was condering going after this pair but I had no idea the price would go up sooo high for what appears to be nothing more than an incredibly badly beaten up pair of boots.
For double your money you could have gotten a brand new pair!

Maybe the pic doesn't do them justice but they look pretty scraggly. Perfect for a mannequin display though.

Alabama Jones · Post by **Alabama Jones** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 12:35 pm

agent5 wrote:WOW! I was condering going after this pair but I had no idea the price would go up sooo high for what appears to be nothing more than an incredibly badly beaten up pair of boots.

Don't know for sure as I haven't gotten them yet but the soles look *pretty* decent and Pecards does wonders to the uppers as you can see here: viewtopic.php?t=13072

For double your money you could have gotten a brand new pair!

I wasn't looking for a new pair or to spend another 160.00... I wanted a backup pair of Aldens that look Indy-ish and got them for 120.00. Seems like a good deal to me but to each his own.

Maybe the pic doesn't do them justice but they look pretty scraggly. Perfect for a mannequin display though.

*Henry Sr* I don't know, we'll find out.

I bet I can make them into at least a workable costume pair.

Texas Raider · Post by **Texas Raider** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 12:59 pm

Hey, as long as you're spending that kind of coin on crappy, beat up clothing, I have some scraggly old jeans from the 80's, and some really old holey socks and underwear for sale.

A great deal at just 150.00 for the set!!

have a nice day.

Indiana Texas-girl · Post by **Indiana Texas-girl** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 1:00 pm

Hey I think you got a deal at $120...LC era shoes, so the leather color is probably similar to what Indy had on his boots (the leather has changed colors over the years). I hope they fit ya well. Looks like the heel may have been replaced at some point...notice the silver circles on the bottom...not sure what that is but my boots don't have that.(my boots are 1980s ones too)

Texas Raider · Post by **Texas Raider** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 1:09 pm

Indiana Texas-girl wrote:Hey I think you got a deal at $120...

I'm sure the guy that sold them would agree with you on that one, ITG

have a nice day.

Alabama Jones · Post by **Alabama Jones** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 1:12 pm

Indiana Texas-girl wrote:Hey I think you got a deal at $120...LC era shoes, so the leather color is probably similar to what Indy had on his boots (the leather has changed colors over the years). I hope they fit ya well. Looks like the heel may have been replaced at some point...notice the silver circles on the bottom...not sure what that is but my boots don't have that.(my boots are 1980s ones too)

Thanks ITG! Thats exactly what I was thinking.

They're from that era, a different leather, color, more like the films., in my size. Unless they just fall apart in my hands when I get them, I'll be pleased. Its not like I bought 'em as my only pair.

And yes, looks like the heels have been replaced. I was wondering if those circles might be "heel-savers".

Will report back...

Scandinavia Jones · Post by **Scandinavia Jones** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 1:18 pm

Why all the 'Bama bashing?

He got himself a pair of Aldens in Indiana Jones-shape. As ITG pointed out, they're from the right (movie-making) era and they have a Keppler connection. Doesn't get more Indygear collectability points than this, folks, except with screen-used boots, naturally.

If the shoes are structurally sound, they're quite the catch. Wouldn't mind a similar pair myself.

Alabama Jones · Post by **Alabama Jones** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 1:27 pm

Thanks Scandy!

You're my very good friend.

J_Weaver · Post by **J_Weaver** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 1:37 pm

Looks like you got a good deal Alabama!

I'd say they are a good pair for field use.

Wrightknife · Post by **Wrightknife** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 2:05 pm

Great find Alabama! I would definitely be interested in a pair like that in my size. Keep up the good work man.

Have a great day!

Post by **Ken** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 2:52 pm

Wow - I have a pair of Lee Keppler 80s Aldens too!!!

These were REALLY beat up when I got them - put on a coat of Pecards and that helped. They survived really well... until I decided to use them in filmmaking that is. I still have them but they aren't really wearable anymore after all the stuff I did with them in the desert.

However the problems I had related to the sole as they had already been resoled (the welt was destroyed) and that doesn't look the case in yours Alabama. I think they should last you a long time.

Ken

Swindiana · Post by **Swindiana** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 3:06 pm

They look to be in good shape I think. No tears and the toe caps seem fine too, as with the heel portion of the boots. Well done, Bama!

Regards,
Swindiana

Bufflehead Jones · Post by **Bufflehead Jones** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 3:22 pm

I don't know how someone could bash Bama. Most people buy a brand new pair of Aldens and then rush out and do terrible things to the shoes to distress them to make them look very used like Indy's. So, Bama bought a pair that was already distressed and he could see in advance what the distressing job looks like, and he got them for half price.

If I was looking for a pair of dress shoes, then the condition of these shoes would not be appropriate. But, these are a distressed shoe to match that of a movie character. For that role, these shoes fit the bill to a tee. In my eyes, Bama got a good deal on exactly what he was looking for. The only reason to bash his decision, would be jealousy, I suppose.

Minnesota Jones · Post by **Minnesota Jones** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 3:45 pm

Scandinavia Jones wrote:Why all the 'Bama bashing? He got himself a pair of Aldens in Indiana Jones-shape. As ITG pointed out, they're from the right (movie-making) era and they have a Keppler connection. Doesn't get more Indygear collectability points than this, folks, except with screen-used boots, naturally.

If the shoes are structurally sound, they're quite the catch. Wouldn't mind a similar pair myself.

Couldn't have said it better myself!

And I also think that's not a bad price either. As for Texas Raider's offer, I think I'll pass...

Alabama Jones · Post by **Alabama Jones** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 4:25 pm

Weaver, Wrightknife, Swindi, Ken, Buff, and Minnesota, thanks for the support!

I feel better about them ; will know for sure in a few days.

Ken, I had yours in mind when I was bidding.

I guess I'm just one who would rather pay half price for a pair of beat up Indy boots from the film era than pay full price for some nice boots just to "ruin".

But hey, if they're @#$%, I'll come back on and admit I was dooped ... Zen I will track zat person down and keel him.

Scandinavia Jones · Post by **Scandinavia Jones** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 4:42 pm

Alabama Jones wrote:But hey, if they're @#$%, I'll come back on and admit I was dooped ... Zen I will track zat person down and keel him.

But before that, you'd better ship the boots to me... for safekeeping.

Alabama Jones · Post by **Alabama Jones** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 5:03 pm

Scandinavia Jones wrote:
Alabama Jones wrote:But hey, if they're @#$%, I'll come back on and admit I was dooped ... Zen I will track zat person down and keel him.

But before that, you'd better ship the boots to me... for safekeeping.

Ha Ha! ... sonuva...

buncha scoundrels ... SCOUNDRELS I say.

zeus36 · Post by **zeus36** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 10:19 pm

I WAS going to bid on those until the price got way up there. Glad you were able to secure them. If they don't work out for ya, send me a PM and I'll make you an offer.
Z.

Alabama Jones · Post by **Alabama Jones** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 12:34 am

^Thanks Zeus, although I'm so pleased with them I may sell my new pair.

The soles, heels and welt are all in excellent shape and a Pecard bath has revived the uppers ... so much so I almost need some retro-distressing.

I tell ya that is just miracle stuff, but you guys know that.

Thoughts: These boots were made in the mid-80's and up close they differ rather significantly from my new pair of 405's. First, the color is defintely more of a brown and the leather is grainier. They are also slightly shorter, by about a quarter of an inch. The sole and heel is more of a solid dark color and looks similar to the "Carolina Close Enough". There'a not a noticable "racing stripe". The size and configuration of the moc toe is slightly different as well, not nearly as prominent. They resemble the pair on the front page (Indiana John's I think).

I love these and could not be happier with them. IMO they look just like the Raiders boots from the Temple Scene.

now some pics ... from my Kirk-Phone.

(Thanks Hemingway

)

On the left after Pecards, the right is as I got 'em.

and next to one of my new ones.

You should be able to see the more reddish tone of the new 405's and even they have been treated with Kiwi and Pecards brown. I was amazed at how much these resemble my darkened,distressed (naturally) J Crew Ruggeds. More comparison pics to come...

Wrightknife · Post by **Wrightknife** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 4:22 am

Man Alabama, seeing how good they look just makes me want to go out and order a pair tonight.

Great purchase and I hope you will have many an adventure in them.

Have a great day.

Strider · Post by **Strider** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 4:31 am

'Grats Bama!

Scandy touched on this a little, but I thought I'd go a little farther. These shoes have a heck of a history behind them if they did indeed belong to Lee. He's definetly one of the main pioneers of this hobby, without whom this site and hobby would probably not exist as it does today.

Regards,

Post by **Ken** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 4:52 am

Hey - welcome to the club!!!

Ken

Canyon · Post by **Canyon** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 6:42 am

*sigh* I just don't understand people sometimes.

Alabama, you get yourself a great pair of screen accurate boots, and people diss you for it.

Why? They look great!

Goodness me, if you had bought a brand new pair, people would have said "but they're not 'screen accurate'"!

:evil:

C3PO: "Sometimes I just don't understand human behaviour..."

agent5 · Post by **agent5** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 12:21 pm

These shoes have a heck of a history behind them if they did indeed belong to Lee. He's definetly one of the main pioneers of this hobby, without whom this site and hobby would probably not exist as it does today.

True dat, but he pretty much simply sub-contracted the boots, didn't he? I was under the impression that these boots were simply purchased through him and not owned by him. Am I wrong?

Alabama Jones · Post by **Alabama Jones** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 2:53 pm

Canyon wrote:*sigh* I just don't understand people sometimes.

Alabama, you get yourself a great pair of screen accurate boots, and people diss you for it.

Why? They look great!

Goodness me, if you had bought a brand new pair, people would have said "but they're not 'screen accurate'"! :evil:

C3PO: "Sometimes I just don't understand human behaviour..."

Ha ha. Thanks Threepio.

I didn't let it bother me as I kinda knew what I had.

And thanks guys for the comments.

Some more pics...

Before:

After:

and a comparison with my other boots...

Thats the crappy badly beaten up pair of scraggly old shoes

in the center, with 2005 Aldens on the left and My J-Crew Ruggeds on the right.

and now I'm headed out in my new old boots.

Spooky · Post by **Spooky** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 3:30 pm

AJ:
I think they look great!- like my Aldens will look after a few years of field use/adventures.
I just took mine with me to Alaska - and they still look brand new.
Aldens rock !

Congrats!

Daniel Riser · Post by **Daniel Riser** » Wed Aug 24, 2005 1:19 am

Lee Keppler does not get the credit he deserves. He was figuring out the details of this stuff before VHS! It's people like him that makes our job so easy.

Those are great boots! I've never found my size in the old colors. I found one pair one size too big from the late 70's (Raiders era) I'd fit em today but alas...

Thank God for leather stripping and re-dying.

agent5 · Post by **agent5** » Wed Aug 24, 2005 1:34 am

Lee Keppler does not get the credit he deserves. He was figuring out the details of this stuff before VHS!

Are you KIDDING??? He still get's nod's here all the time, especially from lifers who try to educate all the newbies. Maybe if he were around here even a little bit I bet he'd have quite a few people bowing down to kiss his Aldens.

It's people like him that makes our job so easy.

True that. He is the Godfather of Gear. Nothing can ever change the truth.

...and yes, the boots do look good!

Ark Hunter · Post by **Ark Hunter** » Wed Aug 24, 2005 7:13 pm

agent5 wrote:Maybe the pic doesn't do them justice but they look pretty scraggly.

Isn't that the point? You don't want NEW Aldens.

They look really good now that you have them.

agent5 · Post by **agent5** » Wed Aug 24, 2005 7:22 pm

Isn't that the point? You don't want NEW Aldens.

No, I do want new Aldens. I just want them to look old and used, which, thank God, is easy to do.

Post by **Ken** » Wed Aug 24, 2005 7:58 pm

agent5 wrote:
Lee Keppler does not get the credit he deserves. He was figuring out the details of this stuff before VHS!
Are you KIDDING??? He still get's nod's here all the time, especially from lifers who try to educate all the newbies. Maybe if he were around here even a little bit I bet he'd have quite a few people bowing down to kiss his Aldens.

They're my Aldens now!!

Ken

agent5 · Post by **agent5** » Wed Aug 24, 2005 8:21 pm

LOL! Good one, Ken! But, I'm sure the ol' chap has some lying around somewhere.

Erri · Post by **Erri** » Fri Aug 26, 2005 12:13 pm

Hey nice boots my friend. I hope i'll be able to post mine soon. I'm waiting for them

Got My "Seasoned" Classic Aldens... (Pics)

Got My "Seasoned" Classic Aldens... (Pics)

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