Luxurious 1940s Dressage Boots from San Francisco's The White House

From the 1940s, these high quality, leather English riding boots were quite costly in their day.
 Made in England, the boots were sold through The White House, Raphael Weill & Company of San Francisco.

The White House is a well known historical California name, as it was the first dry goods company in San Francisco, opening in 1854.

The French owner, Raphael Weill, expanded the business into one of the most luxurious of all retail establishments during the golden age of department stores.

The Beaux Arts-style building was designed by Albert Pissis, a renowned architect and still stands at 256 Grant Avenue, San Francisco.

Weill’s store featured a glorious tearoom and such lavish elegance; all quite similar to Selfridge’s as seen today in the PBS series.

These exquisite dressage boots were imported from England and sold in the luxurious sporting goods section of this store sometime during the mid 1940s. When first offered for sale, these would have been considered the finest quality. They are complete with the original stretchers and boot hooks and also with The White House cardboard inserts.

The boots appear to fit a women’s slim 7.5 shoe size. The sole measures 11.25 inches or 28.5 cm end to end, across the bottom.

Marked: Mayfair Made in England. Circa 1945.