Thanks, guys. I'm prepared to accept some combination of theories. The ones I have do appear have been painted. Maybe faded looks resulted in a brainstorm of just blackening them. Not everyone accepts patina as willingly as I do. Certainly cycling is filled with anomalies of personalization, too. I guess I was looking for evidence of another "superstition," not unlike the dangling cork and what-not, in a way. Just that I had seen this more than once. Have certainly seen the merely faded ones, too.
Thanks for all suppositions!
Next item:
I have three pair of unworn cycling shoes, having no patina (referencing the above), and would like to sell them at $60 each pair + ten for shipping in the lower 48. They are classic lace up, perforated models (except no perforations on the winter pair) as follows:
1.) GIOS torino. size 41 1/2, I believe that's 8 1/2 US and 7 1/2 UK. High arched, heavy leather soles, original "Italia" cleats tacked on. Leather upper with small and large breather holes. Laces there, all perfect. White Gios logo panel on outer side in ankle/heel zone--and on the tongue. Super supple uppers. I suppose these are 1980-ish, but are traditional in every way, timeless really.
2.) ZEUS, size 41 (i.e. 8, 7). Perfect, basically mint condition, laces are there but have never been laced. No cleat attached. Stiff sole but thinner and not as arched. These may be a model "195" if there is such a thing, as I see "195 41" lightly stamped on the tongue of the shoe. Also big/little perforations. Beautiful shoes, and I am finally ready to admit that they are too small for me.
3.) Winter "boots" --ankle high cycling shoes--by RIVAT, Made in France. VEry convincing faux leather upper, manmade "shearling" lining, rigid arched plastic sole with adjustable Rivat cleats. Shield-shaped logo crest below ankle. Size 41. '70s but I would accept them as props in a film set as early as '66.
Get in touch soon!
Can create some photos if that helps anyone. I can probably ship them to England for, I don't know, 22USD? Shipping is combinable, too. The size 41.5 is not very different from the 41, so someone may want to take all three for 150 + 15 shipping (30 UK/Europe).
Thanks!
Tom Ward Bonita, California, USA
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