Antique Roller Skates, Unknown Maker, Very Likely USA, Estimated To Be Between 1880 and retailer 1900

Item Number 20-527

Antique roller skates, unknown maker, very likely USA, estimated to be between 1880 and 1900. Very nice delicate wooden shoe platforms. Shock absorbing wheel axle mount design. Wooden wheels which were easily replaceable when worn and intended for sidewalk use and not for rinks. Brass heel cups holding the leather straps. Original blue paint. The Montgomery Ward 1903 catalog shows roller skates, but by then the skates used steel for the platforms and steel wheels with rubber surfaces. One can infer from this that these listed skates predate 1903. A very nice antique sports equipment item. A historical sports retailer collectible that also can serve as a distinctive display or decorating accent.

In very good condition considering their age and signs of use, but not abuse. There is some paint wear at edges of the wooden platforms, four screws have been replaced, worn wooden wheels, one has a crack, as shown. All leather is intact with the brass buckles, but fragile as would be expected for leather over 120 years old.