| Author | Message | |||
| Mark W. Fletcher (Bronbo)
New member Username: Bronbo Post Number: 3 Registered: 1-2004 |
From the Abilene Reporter News; These boots were made for walking This April, The Grace Museum will open a new, permanent period room in the third floor History Museum highlighting the boot making of Albert J. Mallouf of Brownwood. Mallouf worked in Brownwood as a bootmaker for 40 years beginning in 1938. After his death in 2002, James Leddy, longtime family friend, encouraged Mallouf’s family to donate the shop’s equipment, including wooden shoe lasts and records, to The Grace. The new exhibit will recreate a West Texas boot shop as it would have looked in Brownwood during the 1940s and will exhibit examples of boots made by many local bootmakers. Visitors will be able to walk inside the shop and get the sense of going back in time. If you are from Brownwood or the surrounding area and could loan or donate boots made by Mallouf (no matter the condition), call Holly North, curator of collections, 673-4587. | |||
| Brian C. Thomas (Brian_c_thomas)
New member Username: Brian_c_thomas Post Number: 11 Registered: 1-2004 |
I spoke with Holly North at the Grace Museum about the Mallouf exhibit. They are accepting bootmaking items to make the exhibit. Example stitched boot tops, crimped vamps etc. You can also email Holly at the grace and see what they need. hnorth@thegracemuseum.org or www.thegracemuseum.org "Riding For The Brand" Brian C. Thomas | |||
| Brian C. Thomas (Brian_c_thomas)
New member Username: Brian_c_thomas Post Number: 34 Registered: 1-2004 |
The Grace Museum in Abilene, TX will make a short film about bootmaking for the exhibit. They have ask Terry Young to narrate. Terry said "I guess they like my Hillbilly sounding voice." I was teasing Terry about bootmaking since they want his voice and haven't even seen his boots yet. Terry said they ask Alan Bell to work the script and they will shoot some film at James Leddy's. "Riding For The Brand" Brian C. Thomas | |||
| Mark W. Fletcher (Bronbo)
New member Username: Bronbo Post Number: 50 Registered: 1-2004 |
Brian, Will the exhibit be opened in April as planned? | |||
| Brian C. Thomas (Brian_c_thomas)
New member Username: Brian_c_thomas Post Number: 36 Registered: 1-2004 |
The Grace is still waiting for the flooring to be put it. The transport was delayed by storms on the East coast the last couple of weeks. Holly B. North Curator of Collections/ IT Director Distance Learning The Grace Museum 102 Cypress Street Abilene, Texas 79601 (325) 673-4587 ext. 113 hnorth@thegracemuseum.org | |||
| Brian C. Thomas (Brian_c_thomas)
New member Username: Brian_c_thomas Post Number: 53 Registered: 1-2004 |
Glen Meek said "the grace museum has come and gone to James Leddy Boot shop, filming bootmaking in progress." Gabe is now the Waylon Jennings of bootmaking as his hands were featured Inseaming again without showing his face. Hey Terry how is that narrator voice coming? "Waiting For The Brand" Brian C. Thomas | |||
| Mark W. Fletcher (Bronbo)
New member Username: Bronbo Post Number: 65 Registered: 1-2004 |
Brian, I contacted Holly about loaning a pair of Mallouf boots from my collection and she should be sending the paperwork soon. Here is what she said also about the exhibit. "We had a misfortune of having to wait for the flooring to be shipped in. It is now down, and settled, and we plan to move the large shop equipment in beginning this week. We are aiming for mid-May opening. We will have a reception, and will certainly get you an invitation." | |||
| Mark W. Fletcher (Bronbo)
New member Username: Bronbo Post Number: 68 Registered: 1-2004 |
 These are the A. J. Mallouf boots I plan to loan to the Grace Museum. I bought them on Ebay several years ago from a seller in Blanket, TX. They had a "butcher" cobbler job done on them when I received them, so I had James Leddy resole them a couple years ago. He said they brought back some good old memories. | |||
| Brian C. Thomas (Brian_c_thomas)
New member Username: Brian_c_thomas Post Number: 57 Registered: 1-2004 |
Mark, Holly at the Grace emailed me to come help this week but I can't get there before 4 PM. | |||
| Mark W. Fletcher (Bronbo)
New member Username: Bronbo Post Number: 91 Registered: 1-2004 |
 I went last Friday to the Grace Museum in Abilene to put my Mallouf boots (see above) on loan to the Mallouf Boot Shop. This will be a permanent exhibit to the Museum. The exhibit will feature original equipment, tools, leather samples, the original shop cash register with a brick facade and old plank flooring. I don't know when the grand opening is, but it should be soon. | |||
| Tex Robin (Tex_robin)
New member Username: Tex_robin Post Number: 286 Registered: 1-2004 |
Mark, I have known Mr Mallouf for years..He had a brother that was a bootmaker in Coleman that died in 1953. He also had a brother that lived in Cal that attended the roundup in Brownwood several years ago.. He was in the real estate business the last 20 yrs or so and would always stop in our shop when he was in Coleman. He still made some boots for a group of select customers that would not let him quit up to the time of his death....TR | |||
| Brian C. Thomas (Brian_c_thomas)
New member Username: Brian_c_thomas Post Number: 69 Registered: 1-2004 |
Mark, Terry, the little people must be helping set up at the Grace. I have not heard from the Grace since they ask for help on Monday thru Thursday 8-4 PM. Guest the Grace did not understand about working for the Air Force. I offered to work nights and Saturdays no word back. I think this exhibit will be a Great for bootmaking and it's a start at Preserving The Brand. | |||
| Mark W. Fletcher (Bronbo)
New member Username: Bronbo Post Number: 96 Registered: 1-2004 |
I got an email from Holly today letting me know that they will have a "ribbon cutting" for the Mallouf Exhibit on May 27. Invitations have not been mailed out yet but probably will be done before May 10. Holly will be out of the country on May 10 to June 5 and Heather Kuhn will answer any questions during that time. I won't be able to make it, so hopefully whoever does will take some good pictures. | |||
| Mark W. Fletcher (Bronbo)
New member Username: Bronbo Post Number: 100 Registered: 1-2004 |
 Inside the Mallouf Exhibit, Grace Museum, Abilene TX | |||
| Brian C. Thomas (Brian_c_thomas)
New member Username: Brian_c_thomas Post Number: 81 Registered: 1-2004 |
I stopped by the Grace Museum yesterday. Holly North has been out of town for some time. I reintroduced myself and was promptly taken to the Mallouf exhibit. It looks the same as the PIC that Mark previously posted. I noted that the numkeg was missing the Sander disk and the burnishing wheel need a cloth cover. We went to the basement of the museum to look and these items were not found. The Grace Museum is arranging for someone to meet me Thursday night and hopefully go look in their warehouse, to see if there are any more items for the Mallouf exhibit. If not they also have a Landis Finisher with numkeg that James Leddy donated to the Museum months before his death. I was there the day the finished was loaded and hauled off. I ask James why he donated the Landis numkeg as they are the best kind. James said "I didn't think about that, and I will have to see about getting it back." Well, James Leddy had a sincere interest in setting up the Mallouf exhibit before he death. And I will most certainly ask the Grace and remove the whole numkeg from James's old finisher for the exhibit if required. Note: looking for the large cloth cover for a Landis Finisher Burnishing Wheel. I will ask check with Glen at James Leddy's and Alan Bell's if I don't find one at the Grace. "Preservation For The Brand" Brian C. Thomas | |||
| Brian C. Thomas (Brian_c_thomas)
New member Username: Brian_c_thomas Post Number: 93 Registered: 1-2004 |
http://www.reporter-news.com/abil/et_exhibits/arti cle/0,1874,ABIL_7913_2920406,00.html Grace exhibit walks visitors into history By Brien Murphy / Reporter-News Staff Writer May 28, 2004 Many visitors to The Grace Museum own a favorite pair of cowboy boots, either for working on the ranch or for accessorizing a Texas tuxedo. Visitors can see how one Brownwood man made custom footwear for movie cowboys and real-life cattlemen at a new addition to The Grace's history museum. ''Mallouf Boot Shop'' recreates Albert J. Mallouf's Brownwood shop, where he worked for four decades. The permanent addition to the third-floor history museum opened Thursday. Equipment ranging from an industrial strength sewing machine to small brushes and thin tacks came from Mallouf's shop. An electric boot finisher, with a sander, buffer and other tools, came from the shop of Abilene bootmaker James Leddy. Mallouf learned boot and shoemaking from his family. He opened his first shop in Hinton, Okla., in the 1930s. He moved to Brownwood in 1938 and continued making boots there for 40 more years. At his peak, Mallouf employed eight people and produced 25 pairs of custom boots a week, and counted movie cowboy Wild Bill Elliott among his customers. After Mallouf died in 2002, Leddy encouraged the Mallouf family to donate bootmaking equipment to The Grace. Leddy died in 2003. Mary Lee Bartlett, guest curator for the exhibit, meticulously arranged Mallouf's tools, pieces of leather, half-finished boots and even an old cash register to give visitors the feeling they are walking into a 1940s boot shop. The cluttered workshop appears as if Mallouf had just stepped out for lunch. Bartlett studied photographs and ''she talked to a lot of different people to see how it should go,'' Grace registrar intern Rachel Foster said. The heavier equipment - sewing machines and the boot finisher - sit near the front. In the back, wooden boot lasts, or molds made in the shape of customers' feet, line several shelves. The exhibit also includes finished boots Mallouf made for his family; two short videos discussing Mallouf's career and the development of the cowboy boot; a hands-on display for children that collects the types of leather used in boots; and a rotating display of fancy boots made by other bootmakers. ''This is such an intricate craft,'' museum marketing director Heather Kuhn said. ''The time and care taken for each pair of boots is impressive.'' ''The Mallouf Boot Shop'' replaces an exhibit on Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist Bill Mauldin. The Grace's history museum contains items on the Texas & Pacific Railroad; ''period rooms'' that represent life in Abilene from 1910 to 1948; items related to Abilene's history; and items about The Grace, which at one time was a hotel. What: ''Mallouf Boot Shop'' (history exhibit). Where: The Grace Museum, 102 Cypress St. When: Museum open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays, plus 5-8 p.m. Thursdays. Exhibit is a permanent addition to The Grace's history museum. | |||
| Brian C. Thomas (Brian_c_thomas)
New member Username: Brian_c_thomas Post Number: 94 Registered: 1-2004 |
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| Brian C. Thomas (Brian_c_thomas)
New member Username: Brian_c_thomas Post Number: 95 Registered: 1-2004 |
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| Brian C. Thomas (Brian_c_thomas)
New member Username: Brian_c_thomas Post Number: 96 Registered: 1-2004 |
Mallouf Boot Shop "Behind the Scenes" The Grand Opening of the Mallouf Boot Shop was Thursday 27 May at 4:30 PM. The Ribbon Cutting was performed by Paula Leddy, daughter Debbie Meeks, and the James Leddy family was in attendance along with Gabe, from the Leddy Boot Shop. Many Abilene folks, dignitaries and Grace Museum Staff were also present. This Grand Opening was published in the Abilene Reporters News "Calendar of Events" on 27 May 04 however, it was perceived as innovation only event which it was not. Sadly Alan Bell, missed it as he was not informed of the event. I too was previous briefed that I would receive and innovation, after seeing it in the newspaper I made a call to the Grace Museum and was informed the event was open to the public. With Tornado Warning in Taylor Country, Texas and the sounding area, Terry Young, Bootmaker from Paducah, Texas was unable to attend as well. Terry, is the Narrator on the Video in the exhibit of the history of the Mallouf Boot Shop and the process of bootmaking. The Video was shot at James Leddy's Shop in Abilene, Texas. We were all glad to see that Gab's face was featured in this video, as in previous photos in a boot book it was only his hands. The Video is extremely good footage of boots being made, very close up. Viewers will think they are in the shop standing right next to Glen Meeks, while he is grinding boot heels at the finisher. Alan Bell, is interviewed on this video and speaks a little about the history of the bootmaking trade. The Grace did an Outstanding Job on this video. I hope that these videos will be made available to the public, as I sure would like to purchase one. There are two fine examples of Mallouf boots in the exhibit, both are in the showcase. One pair was made for Mr. Mallouf son: Robert J. Mallouf. And the other pair belongs to Mark Fletcher of Plano Texas. Mark, is an avid custom boot wearer and boot collector. When the Call when out from the Grace Museum for Mallouf boots, Mark was the first in line to donate a pair for the exhibit. Mark's pair was used to make the "parts o the boot chart" and for the "Show Bill" about the exhibit. Chocolate Kangaroo vamps, 12 chocolate tops, with 4 rows of red, yellow and green stitching on the tops, and toe flowers. Robert J. Mallouf is shown holding these boots during the interview on the video. Off Camera Robert had some proud comments about seeing a pair of his dad's boots again. Well, that's Chapter 1. "Typing for The Brand" Brian C. Thomas | |||
| Mark W. Fletcher (Bronbo)
New member Username: Bronbo Post Number: 156 Registered: 1-2004 |
 Outside of the exhibit. | |||
| Mark W. Fletcher (Bronbo)
New member Username: Bronbo Post Number: 157 Registered: 1-2004 |
 Inside of the exhibit. A couple electrical outlets and a pair of boots could be made. | |||
| Mark W. Fletcher (Bronbo)
New member Username: Bronbo Post Number: 158 Registered: 1-2004 |
 They used my boots for a display poster also. | |||
| Mark W. Fletcher (Bronbo)
New member Username: Bronbo Post Number: 159 Registered: 1-2004 |
 My boots are on the top, center. I think the kid's boots are Mallouf's son. On the bottom shelf are a pair of Robert Mallouf boots, perhaps some of the last boots made by A. J. | |||
| Mark W. Fletcher (Bronbo)
New member Username: Bronbo Post Number: 160 Registered: 1-2004 |
 These are outside the exhibit, from what I understand they will be a rotating display. | |||
| Mark W. Fletcher (Bronbo)
New member Username: Bronbo Post Number: 161 Registered: 1-2004 |
 More of the rotating boots | |||
| Mark W. Fletcher (Bronbo)
New member Username: Bronbo Post Number: 230 Registered: 1-2004 |
About a month ago I received a DVD from the Museum, it is the same one that is shown at the Mallouf Exhibit. It is about 15 minutes long, narrated by Terry Young, has basic boot making steps done at James Leddy's shop then has some info on A. J. Mallouf. I think if you contact the Museum you can get a copy, don't know the price. | |||
| Brian C. Thomas (Brian_c_thomas)
New member Username: Brian_c_thomas Post Number: 140 Registered: 1-2004 |
Mark, the rumor around Abilene is that the boots in the Mallouf shop on the back wall top left above the last on post 157 are elephant were made by the man in post 158. The rumor is this individual was once one of the little people Tex is always talking about. And that he used to make wax ends and inseam 6 pair a week in the early eighty in central Texas. Perhaps you may know the story how one of the X little people ended up with a pair of boots in the Mallouf exhibit and not in the boot display at the Grace? "Inquiring for the Brand" Brian C. Thomas |
PICS forn the Mallouf Newspaper Article