1960s • ACME CUSTOM • Thunderbird Eagle Inlay • Women’s 6.5 B

1960s • Acme • “Garden Party” Floral-Inlay Shorty Boots • Women’s 6.5

Why We Love Them

Mid-century showboots with a neon-poster palette. Emerald shafts bloom with marigold petals and embossed terracotta flowers; caramel vamps flash flame stitching. Shorty height, snip toe, and that unmistakable ACME swagger. 

Spec Card

• Maker: Acme Boot Company
• Model: “Garden Party” Floral-Inlay Shorty (pee-wee height)
• Era: 1960s
• Size: Women’s 6.5
• Upper: Emerald green shafts with yellow and terracotta floral inlays, cream piping, deep-V scallops, blue ACME pull tabs
• Vamp: Caramel brown leather with flame/leaf overlays and contrast stitch
• Toe: Snip
• Heel: Western underslung, stacked leather with later rubber caps (~1¾”)
• Lining: Full leather
• Construction: Stitched welt, leather soles with lemonwood pegs
• Details: Multitone inlays, bold color blocking, classic mid-century silhouette

The Story

In the ’60s, Acme leaned into graphic inlay work that borrowed from border-boot tradition and honky-tonk flash. This pair captures that spirit—garden-bright shafts over hot-rod vamps—equal parts cowgirl and rockabilly.  

Nashville Booted Notes

From our Mid-Century Inlay Archives. Clean, supple uppers with honest wear at the toes and counters; soles show moderate use with plenty of life. Inlays are secure and stitching is tight. Conditioned and ready to roll.

1950s • Stewart Romero • Bucking Bronco Boots • Women’s 5 M

Why we love them

Boots like these are why Stewart Romero remains a name whispered with reverence among collectors. Hand-cut and hand-lasted in New Mexico in the 1950s, these cowgirl boots are walking art. The shafts feature chocolate-brown inlays of a bucking bronc and rider against golden leather, framed with heart and scroll motifs that capture the playful romance of the West. A rare piece of Western heritage, made by one of the few Mexican-American bootmakers to etch their signature style into mid-century cowboy culture.

Spec Card

• Maker: Stewart Romero (New Mexico bootmaker, active mid-20th century)
• Era: 1950s (construction & design)
• Upper: tan cowhide with chocolate inlays (cowgirl rider, bronc, hearts, and scrollwork)
• Vamp: polished chocolate leather with natural patina
• Construction: hand-lasted, pegged leather outsole
• Toe: squared cowboy toe
• Heel: tall cowgirl underslung heel
• Size: Women’s 5 M

Heritage Notes

Stewart Romero was known for his elaborate inlays and bold storytelling on boot tops—cowboy and cowgirl scenes, hearts, stars, and borderland motifs. His work blurred the line between functional gear and art object, carried proudly by ranch families and performers alike. Very few pairs survive in wearable condition today, making these a museum-grade find.

Condition

Beautiful vintage shape with expected scuffs and wear, but remarkably well-preserved for a 70-year-old pair. Soles show honest use, uppers remain strong and supple, stitching intact.

1990s • TONY LAMA • Desert Bloom Inlay Western • Women’s 7 B

Why we love them

Warm caramel uppers with bold black flame inlays and pops of cherry-red cutouts — a pair that feels straight off a dance floor. Finished with crisp white piping and diamond collar inlays, these Tony Lamas carry that perfect mix of flair and tradition.

Spec Card

• Maker: Tony Lama (outsole stamped, period correct)
• Era: 1990s (last shape, collar detailing, outsole construction)
• Upper: caramel leather with black flame inlays and red cutout accents
• Lining: full leather
• Construction: stitched welt, leather outsole with rubber heel cap
• Silhouette: 11” shaft with V scallop, pointed J-toe
• Details: white piping, diamond collar inlays, red floral cutouts, multi-row toe bug

Condition 7/10 

They’re in good condition with the exception of one spot on the inlays on the left boot that’s visible on the pictures. 

Provenance / Stamp

Stamped Tony Lama outsole, pegged leather sole, stacked leather heel. Styling cues align with 1990w Tony Lama production.

NB Notes

These boots have both stage presence and everyday wearability — style with denim, skirts, or dresses to let the inlays pop. A light polish will deepen the caramel tones and sharpen the contrast of the cutouts.

SKU: NB-TONYLAMA-1970s-W7B-DESERT-BLOOM

Would you like me to also retro-label the Frye and Justin listings you’ve got with SKU codes in this same style so your whole catalog feels uniform?

Custom 1981 Eagle + Stars Inlay Cowgirl Boots – Ladies 8.5

A true piece of wearable Americana. These custom-made cowgirl boots were crafted in October of 1981 by bootmaker Dennis Rowley, designed specifically for their original owner. The bold white eagle and star inlays set against a rich tan leather make these a one-of-a-kind statement piece.

• Size: Ladies 8.5
• Custom Build: Hand-cut eagle and star inlays that celebrate Western iconography
• Maker’s Mark: Signed inside by Dennis Rowley with the date of creation (10-81)
• Premium Leather: Beautifully aged with a warm patina and supple feel
• Classic Construction: Traditional cowboy heel, pull straps, and pegged leather soles

These boots are more than just footwear — they’re a snapshot of early ’80s Western style and craftsmanship.

1950s • Border-Boot Style • “Butterfly & Dogwood” Inlay Showboots • Women’s 9

Why We Love Them

Full-tilt mid-century graphics: white butterflies dotted in lipstick red, dogwood blossoms and green leaves floating on inky black shafts. Silver piping and a deep-V scallop frame the artwork.  

Spec Card

• Maker: Unknown Texas/Mexico shop (classic mid-century border-boot style)
• Model: “Butterfly & Dogwood” Inlay
• Era: 1950s
• Size: Women’s 9 (vintage last; runs a touch narrow in the instep)
• Upper: Black shafts with white/green/red multi-piece inlays; cream piping; deep-V scallops
• Vamp: Black leather with classic toe bug stitching
• Toe: Rounded snip
• Heel: Cowboy/riding heel, stacked leather with later rubber caps (~1½”)
• Lining: Full leather
• Construction: Stitched welt; leather soles
• Details: Repeating butterfly panels at quarters; dogwood blooms front and back—high contrast, camera-ready

The Story

Post-war bootmakers on both sides of the border pushed color and cut-outs into showboot territory. This pair nails that look—graphic inlays, crisp piping, and a silhouette made to be seen from the stage or the dance floor.

Nashville Booted Notes

Vintage B: supple uppers with honest creasing; toe scuffs and small edge nicks from real mileage; one shaft shows light surface line/crease; soles show wear but remain sound; heel caps are later replacements. Inlays are tight and stitching is secure. Conditioned and ready for their next set.