Cordovan Color Change Question

[Blue-EyedSon]

I picked up these Allen Edmonds cordovan Bradleys at a thrift store. They were minimally worn as the stamping on the soles indicating that the leather was cordovan was still visible when I bought them. I didn't notice it in the store as the lighting wasn't that great and I didn't even notice it until wearing them several times, but it looks like the color is significantly different on at least one of the pieces of leather. It almost looks like one piece is black while the rest is the classic cordovan color and the effect almost makes it look like a saddle shoe. It doesn't bother me that much as it isn't that noticeable unless the lighting is just right and you're looking for it, but this is the first pair of cordovan shoes I've bought and I wondered whether this sort of color change is normal or if maybe the something was missed in quality control. Any thoughts?

As I mentioned, it isn't that noticeable from a distance ...


But if you go looking for it, there it is ...

 

[StillShaving]

Its hard to see but when just looking at the left shoe, it appears that the left side "saddle" and vamp/top are nearly the same color shade, while the right side "saddle" and the left under-saddle portion are nearly the same color but a lighter shade. I don't have enough expertise to answer your question, but it does look like natural variation in the leather and its ability to take up the polish, or some difference in how it was processed at the tannery. But a nice pair of shoes in any case.

 

[dakotaev]

I don't own any shell cordovan shoes, but admiring pictures it does not seem to be uncommon to see some varying shades between parts of the same shoe.

Here is a good example on a pair of AE Cambridge: (source: google)

 

[AudioNut]

I just re-did someones shoes for the exact same reason!! Different color Cordovan shell on the same shoe. BOTH shoes had different colored shell.

Should have taken pictures.

 

[jkingrph]

I have an old pair of AE long wingtip in shell cordovan, the cordovan color and over the years it seems to have changed or faded to a more brown tone.

 

[Blue-EyedSon]

I contacted the folks at Allen Edmonds and they thought it was normal as cordovan ages. They did suggest using their cordovan cream would even things out, but I'm a bit skeptical that a lighter cream would lighten relatively darker leather. I suppose it can't hurt, though, and I'll give it a try.