I would second Chuck's recommendation for Al Saguto - I have worked with him with archaeological examples and he is indeed "Mr. Shoe" - to see some of his handwork - visit http://www.jefpat.org/NEHWeb/Assets/Collections/images/18ha148/PDFs/artifact_analysis_footwear.pdf - it is an appendix to a report which reports on a 19th c. iron workers' tenancy.
Silas
----- Original Message -----
From: "Anne Grulich" <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Thursday, October 3, 2013 6:44:34 AM
Subject: Re: Concealed shoes in a Maine home
Thanks Chuck. Yes, the shoes were old and well worn, the man's shoe was repaired with a sewn leather patch. I will send my photos to Al Saguto; I knew someone down there had helped on similar projects, but didn't have a name. Thanks so much.
Anne
-----Original Message-----
From: HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Charles H. Fithian
Sent: Thursday, October 03, 2013 5:02 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Concealed shoes in a Maine home
Anne,
Sounds like an interesting case. As others have pointed out, the practice has been documented in a number of areas, including the mid-Atlantic region. There is one from here in Delaware that was actually found
in a public building!
As to dating the shoes, I suggest you contact Al Saguto at Colonial Williamsburg. He is one of the leading authorities on historic footwear and its evolution. He would be able to give you an idea of the
date range(s) of the shoes. He has also worked on other cache's of ritually concealed shoes, and is familiar with this practice.
Were the shoes worn before being concealed?
Chuck Fithian
----- Original Message -----
From: "Anne Grulich" <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Wednesday, October 2, 2013 9:51:30 AM
Subject: Concealed shoes in a Maine home
I'm investigating a cache of four likely mid-19th to late 19th century
shoes concealed between the wall and chimney of a small mid-19th century
home. I have images, measurements, and descriptions if someone has
expertise in dating shoes. Unfortunately, there is no archaeological
context. The cache was discovered during extensive remodeling February 2013
and came to my attention when they were brought to the local historical
society. Tracing the deed for the property is proving difficult prior to
1916, but we have an idea of the families who used the house. There are
reports of additional cached shoes in two neighboring houses.
I've found several intriguing articles online about the practice of hiding
shoes in New England, but nothing specific about dating shoes. We are
considering 'repatriating' them to honor practice so I'd love to have a
better idea of when the shoes were made.
Thanks.
Anne Grulich
[log in to unmask]
*Four leather shoes*
*Shoe A*:
11" long x 4 ½" wide x 2" high at the heel
Stitched leather upper, 1 shoelace hole on each side, remains of shoelace
present; sole 'pegged' in single row to upper leather. Repaired with hand
sewn leather patch on left front. Flat toe. Heel.
*Shoe B*:
10" long x 4" wide x 2" high at the heel
Stitched leather upper, 1 shoelace hole on each side; sole stitched to
leather upper inside shoe (not pegged). Rounded toe. No heel.
*Shoe C*:
8" long x 3 ½" wide x 2 ½" high at heel
Stitched leather upper, 2 shoelace holes on each side, string tied through
holes. Sole 'pegged' in single row to upper leather. Flat toe. No heel.
*Shoe D*:
6 ½" long x 3" wide x 2" high at heel
Stitched leather upper, 3 shoelace holes on each side; sole 'pegged' in
single row to upper leather. Flat toe. Heel.
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