This is a sample, not-for-sale model featuring a skin stitch, an extremely difficult decoration, elegantly incorporated into the toe. It was created about 15 years ago for an exhibition at Santoni. This beautiful model is characterized by its patina finish and the exquisitely crafted skin stitch, which creates flowing lines on the toe. I have carefully worn these shoes, maintaining them with Saphir Noir cream and wax. The size is Santoni size 8, with an "8" stamped on the sole. Generally, this size fits those who wear around 26.5 cm in leather shoes. There is no model number usually found inside the shoe; instead, a sample number is handwritten on the sole (see the last photo). It features an original Goodyear welt construction sole, with "Santoni Goodyear" stamped on it (see the last photo). The sole has a Vibram half rubber sole and vintage steel tips. The heel is pitched, enhancing the elegant silhouette of the upper. The insole was replaced with a genuine, original "Fatto a Mano" insole at a Santoni store in 2021, but the black printing faded after a few wears. I had two other pairs replaced at the same time, and they all experienced the same fading after a few wears, which seems to be a characteristic of the genuine insoles from that period. However, apart from the printing, the insole is in excellent condition. The laces were replaced with new, genuine ones at that time. While still in good condition, I was considering having the half rubber sole and steel tips replaced, along with some re-stitching. (I was particular about keeping the original sole, but I believe it would be a fantastic shoe if it were fully resoled.) The photos show the shoes with only cream applied, except for wax on the toe. The fine luster achieved with just cream is a testament to the craftsmanship of Santoni's workshop during that era. These are genuine, authentic shoes that I acquired with great effort for myself. Please understand that I cannot answer questions like "Will this brand and size fit me?" What I am selling is the shoes shown in the photos and the original storage bag (shoe trees are not included). Please review the photos and purchase only if you are satisfied. These are extremely rare shoes, but they are still pre-owned, so please refrain from purchasing if you are overly sensitive to such details. Please only purchase if you can complete the payment process within 24 hours of purchase.