OT: want!

[Rastapopoulos]

World's oldest basketball shoes (also pretty damn cool):

The World's First Basketball Sneakers have been recently found by chance at a estate sale in Vista, California.

Gary Pifer a vintage clothing dealer found the 116 year old sneakers while combing through picked over items, that were contained within a victorian era trunk. "As I arrived late, I was told that all the good stuff was gone", said Mr. Pifer.

He paid 50 cents for the brown high top canvas sneakers made by the Colchester Rubber Company. Later that night, Mr. Pifer was shocked to discover, during an internet search, that the brand went out of business in 1893.

"In a instant, I knew this discovery would be re-writing basketball and sneaker history, as these sneakers are 25 years older than the 1917 Converse All-Stars", added Pifer. The Colchester Rubber Co. was located in Colchester, Connecticut and was in business from 1888 to 1893.

The Sneakers were manufactured circa 1892.

 

[LOTBfan]

I bet they smell like old feet.

 

[Ed O]

They are making them again.

http://www.colchesterrubberco.com/index.html

It seems very convenient that they found near-pristine 116 year-old sneakers right about the time the Colchester is re-releasing them.

Maybe I'm just paranoid that way.

Ed O.

 

[audienorris]

the website looks to be done by the gentleman in the story who got them at an estate sale. if you watch the video on the website the shoes dont look as pristine as they do in the picture. either way its interesting to know and the shoes do look pretty damn cool.

 

[Ed O]

the website looks to be done by the gentleman in the story who got them at an estate sale. if you watch the video on the website the shoes dont look as pristine as they do in the picture. either way its interesting to know and the shoes do look pretty damn cool.

It is interesting. I'm thinking that it's a hoax.

As you note, it appears to be the same guy. On the site there's this line:

"*Disclaimer: All Claims and statements are solely those of Gary L. Pifer." on the bottom of the http://www.colchesterrubberco.com/form.html page.

Does that name sound familiar?

Haha. Kinda clever. Fun-looking shoes.

But a hoax.

Ed O.

 

[Uther TheGardener]

those boots look too modern.....nice but yeah they have been aged but if they are that old wouldnt the rubber be toast by now?

 

[Idog1976]

They are making them again.

http://www.colchesterrubberco.com/index.html

It seems very convenient that they found near-pristine 116 year-old sneakers right about the time the Colchester is re-releasing them.

Maybe I'm just paranoid that way.

Ed O.

lol, I always find it amusing where people see conspiracy and where they see coincidence. You might be right Ed. O. good find.