Objects Database

EB rock climbing boots

Accession Number

588.2008.1

Object Name

EB rock climbing boots

Created

03/12/2008

Creator

Hermione Cooper

Accession Date

03/12/2008

Brief Description

Pair of rock climbing boots with red tapes laces. Canvas and suede uppers. Smooth rubber soles. Metal eyeholes.

Materials

rubber, suede, canvas, metal

Dimensions

Size 10 29(l) x 9.5(w)cms

Number Of Objects

1 pair

Inscription Description

Suede circle with inscription "SUPER E.B ( )" On inside sole "( ) MAROU MODELE DEPOSES MADE IN FRANCE "

Colour

cream, navy, red, black

Object Production Place

France

Provenance

Early pioneer rock climbers used a variety of footwear and there are tales of rope soled sandals called espadrilles, felt bottomed shoes and for many years Woolworth's tennis shoes, or plimsoles being very popular in the UK. The first smooth soled boots were manufactured by the French, master boot-maker, Edourd Bourdonneau, in 1947, but as the idea came initially from another Frenchman, Pierre Allain, the boots became known collectively as P.A.'s . Bordonneau split with Allain in the fifties and marketed similar boots though this time using his own initials, EB. By coincidence, the Manchester boot maker, Ellis Brigham, was on the scene at the same time and sold EB's in his shops, leading many folk to think that they were made by him.
EB's were almost universal in the 60's and 70's but other brands began to appear in the 1980's such as the Spanish 'Fire' rendering these boots obsolete.
'Gratton' is a french slang term for a tiny edge on a rock face, hence the appellation 'Super Gratton'

Acquisition Date

03/12/2008

Condition

Holes in canvas

Condition Check Date

28/04/2009

Normal Location

Bohuntin

Current Location

Bohuntin

Rules

Spectrum : UK Museum documentation standard, V.3.1 2007

Modified

28/04/2009

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