OK, just visited the Alden store in Madison Avenue.  Following observations:

i)  The store looks like Ye Olde Shoeshoppe.  I wonder whether this is done on purpose or whether it reflects on a state of mind.

ii)  Cordovan looks indeed pretty cheap.  At least they won't call me a snob.

iii)  The shoes look & feel as if they withstand a nuclear blast without damage.  Perfect for intended beater usage.

I got the tassel thingies as well as some English-style penny loafers that need to be made up first.  The ones with the full strap have a pretty short vamp which looks a bit strange at my shoe size (UK 9.5 / US 10).  I was given to understand that producing them would optimistically take 2-3 months, which seems to be "really quick" for Alden shoes.  Fortunately I live in Britain which means I'm used to Basil Fawlty-style customer service.   If I don't forget about the shoes until then.

Toodle-pip,
A.

" Cordovan looks indeed pretty cheap.  At least they won't call me a snob."
It looks better as they age.
Once you know your size in alden's try this:
http://www.theshoemart.com/alden-shoes/men-shoes/b-ald-mxs.html