Why it belongs in ORBIS
Bootmaker founded in 1870 by John Blundstone in Hobart, Tasmania, originally an importer of English boots before diversifying into manufacturing in the late 1870s. The 500-series elastic-sided Chelsea boot remains its best-known style, now made in Australia and Thailand.
Blundstone traces to 1870, when John Blundstone set up J. Blundstone's Boot Warehouse in Hobart, Tasmania, initially importing English boots. In the late 1870s the company diversified into its own manufacturing. In 1890 his son Sylvanus joined, and by 1891 the business had split into John Blundstone & Son (manufacturer) and W.H. Blundstone & Co. (importer). Its best-known product today is the 500 series, an elastic-sided Chelsea-style boot.