Where Are They?
The Anchor Horseshoe Company,
Fresno, California, first appeared as a horseshoe manufacturer in a
list of sanctioned shoes published in a 1936 Horseshoe World
magazine. Later a pictured ad of the Anchor-On shoe appeared in
the 1940 NHPA publication, "The Horseshoe Compendium." That
is the extent of the information we have about this shoe.
As the company was in business for at least five years, there should have
been enough shoes produced that some Anchor-On would show up
in collection, at least in the western states - but none so far. The shoe
is a cross between a Cordon and an Ohio shoe. The Anchor-On had
the double notch ringer breaker of an Ohio and the calks of a Gordon.
That should have led to some sales success as a tournament style shoe,
adding to the mystery of why none are showing up in collection.
The 1940 ad brings a bit of
interesting history. The Anchor-On shoe was endorsed by Ira
Alien. All are familiar with the name Ted Alien, all-time leader
in world championships. Ira was a brother to Ted and a champion
pitcher also. Ira is quoted as stating he won the 1923 Colorado State
Championship at the age of 13. That is a feat also accomplished by
Fred Hay in 1921, by winning the Minnesota State Championship.
Those two individuals are the youngest state champions on
record.
We do have proof that Anchor-On was a real shoe and on the market.
Don Titcomb tells of pitching Anchor-On shoes.
If you find an Anchor-On shoe,
The 1940 ad brings a bit of
interesting history. The Anchor-On shoe was endorsed by Ira
Alien. All are familiar with the name Ted Alien, all-time leader
in world championships. Ira was a brother to Ted and a champion
pitcher also. Ira is quoted as stating he won the 1923 Colorado State
Championship at the age of 13. That is a feat also accomplished by
Fred Hay in 1921, by winning the Minnesota State Championship.
Those two individuals are the youngest state champions on
record.