Rudolf Scheer & Söhne

Rudolf Scheer & Söhne is one of Austria's most renowned bespoke shoemakers, founded in 1816 by Johann Scheer, the son of Viennese winegrowers. The atelier has been located at Bräunerstraße 4 in Vienna's first district (Innere Stadt) since the late 19th century. The firm rose to prominence under Rudolf Scheer (born 1839), who trained in Paris, established his own workshop in 1866, and in 1876 acquired the business of Imperial & Royal court shoemaker Franz Thonner. In 1878 Rudolf Scheer was awarded the title of k.u.k. Hof-Schuhmacher (Imperial & Royal Court Shoemaker), supplying Emperor Franz Joseph I as well as the German, Greek, Serbian, and Romanian royal houses. In 1899, with the involvement of his sons Carl and Edmund, the company was renamed Rudolf Scheer & Söhne. The court title was renewed for the sons in 1906. The business survived the upheavals of the 20th century, including the loss of its aristocratic and Jewish clientele after the 1938 Anschluss, and continued making orthopedic articles during World War II. Today the workshop is led by Markus Scheer, the seventh generation, and remains in the highest price segment. Each pair is made to individual wooden lasts, takes over 80 hours of handwork, and can cost several thousand euros, with waiting times of up to six months. The company produces a maximum of about 300 pairs per year and also offers orthopedic precision footwear and accessories. It has been praised by the Financial Times for making classic Viennese leather shoes in a fresh and modern way.

Johann Scheer, son of Viennese winegrowers, founded a shoemaking business in Vienna's 3rd district in 1816. His son Matthias Scheer registered a shoemaking trade in 1837, located on Praterstraße by 1840. Rudolf Scheer (born 1839), grandson of the founder, trained in Paris and registered his own shoemaking business in 1866, settling at Bräunerstraße, the current location. In 1876 he purchased the business of Imperial & Royal court shoemaker Franz Thonner, who had operated since 1836. Scheer received a merit medal at the 1873 Vienna World's Fair and the gold medal at the 1880 Vienna Trade Exhibition. By then he was already a supplier to members of the imperial court, nobility, and the affluent bourgeoisie, as well as to the royal houses of Germany, Greece, Serbia, and Romania, holding Greek and Serbian court purveyor titles. In 1878 he was awarded the title of k.u.k. Hof-Schuhmacher, making shoes for Emperor Franz Joseph I, the German Emperor, and the Greek and Serbian kings. He also supplied boots for officers of the Imperial and Royal Army and participated in exhibitions such as the 1910 Vienna Hunting Exhibition. Rudolf Scheer's sons Carl and Edmund joined the business, and in 1899 it was renamed Rudolf Scheer & Söhne. Rudolf Scheer retired in 1905, and the court title was renewed for his sons in 1906. Carl Scheer's son, Carl Ferdinand, took over in 1935 after his Matura; his mother Auguste Scheer had managed the business before that. The core clientele remained the nobility and wealthy Jewish customers, but this clientele collapsed after the Anschluss in 1938. The company nevertheless survived World War II, during which it produced orthopedic articles. In the late 1990s, Carl Ferdinand Scheer handed the business to his grandson Markus Scheer, the seventh generation. Today the shoes remain in the highest price segment, with each customer receiving a wooden last from which multiple pairs can be made. Waiting times can be up to half a year, and a pair can cost several thousand euros. The company produces a maximum of about 300 pairs per year, with over 80 hours of work per shoe, and also offers orthopedic precision and accessories.

• 1990

  Carl Ferdinand Scheer hands the business to his grandson Markus Scheer, 7th generation.

• 1938

  After the Anschluss, the aristocratic and Jewish clientele collapses.

• 1935

  Carl Ferdinand Scheer takes over the business after his Matura.

• 1906

  Court title renewed for the sons.

• 1905

  Rudolf Scheer retires from the business.

• 1899

  Company renamed Rudolf Scheer & Söhne as sons Carl and Edmund join.

• 1880

  Gold medal at the Vienna Trade Exhibition.

• 1878

  Rudolf Scheer is awarded the title of k.u.k. Hof-Schuhmacher (Imperial & Royal Court Shoemaker).

• 1876

  Rudolf Scheer purchases the business of court shoemaker Franz Thonner.

• 1873

  Rudolf Scheer receives a merit medal at the Vienna World's Fair.

• 1866

  Rudolf Scheer registers his own shoemaking business and settles at Bräunerstraße.

• 1837

  Matthias Scheer registers a shoemaking trade.

• 1816

  Johann Scheer founds a shoemaking business in Vienna's 3rd district.

Highest price segment bespoke shoemaker, emphasizing craftsmanship, quality over quantity, and orthopedic precision.

• Full Brogue Derby

  Scottish-punched Derby full brogue in bordeaux.

• Single Piece

  Completely smooth single-piece shoe in black.

• Sneaker Derby

  Sneaker-style Derby in brown.

• Allrounder

  Allrounder model in blue.

• Accessories

  Bespoke and standard-size leather accessories, some available at the atelier.

1. 1SCHEER Wien — Maßschuhe vom Schuhmacher seit 1816scheer.at
2. 2Rudolf Scheer & Söhne – Wikipediade.wikipedia.org
3. 3Rudolf Scheer & Söhne – Wikidatawikidata.org