Accession Number

999.011.001a-b

Description

a) One solid hardwood section of a boot tree. This section is for the forefoot and front side of a human shin. It has a smooth varnished finish. Close to the top end on the outside edge, the upper-case letter "L" is stamped into the wood. The top end is covered with brass plate affixed with three slotted brass screws. "Mrs Dunsmuir" is engraved in its top in cursive script and filled in black enamel. The back of the boot tree section has no surface finish. It has a raised horizontal ridge from the top to bottom for sliding the back half of the form onto a central portion which was not acquired in this accession (its whereabouts was unknown by the vendor when the object was acquired by the Society). b) One hardwood section of a three-part boot tree. It is made of hardwood and has a smooth varnished surface finish. It is shaped like the back of a human ankle, heel, and lower calf. The flat side is bare wood and has a vertical mid-section slot (1.2 cm wide) cut into the surface. Near the top, the uppercase letter "L" is stamped on the outside edge. The flat top of the last has a brass plate affixed by three brass slotted screws. Engraved in its top is the lettering "LOBB Maker".

Narrative

Boot and shoe trees were provided to customers by bespoke foot ware makers during the Victorian and Edwardian periods. They were custom-made to match the shape of their customer's foot, and in so doing, they ensured that the boot or shoe retained its intended shape. The maker of this circa 1902 boot tree is still in business today: https://www.johnlobb.com/other/our-story (last accessed July2, 2024).

This particular shoe tree was intended for the customer's left foot and is missing its third section which once sat between parts a and b. To install a tree in a boot or show, the front and back portions were installed first and then the centre section was slid down between the halves, thus expanding the tree to copy the shape of the owner's foot.

History of Use

This boot tree was probably acquired by Laura Miller Dunsmuir when she was in London, England in 1902 to attend the Coronation of Their Majesties King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra. A pair of boot trees by the same maker and owned by Hon. James Dunsmuir are in the collection held in the Royal Roads University museum at Hatley Park, the former James and Laura Dunsmuir residence. 

Date

circa 1902

Dimensions

part a) 25 x 7 x 19.5 cm; part b) 4.1 x 5.9 x 21.1 cm

Material

Wood, maple; Metal, brass

Technique

Handmade

Inscription

Mrs. Dunsmuir
is engraved into the brass plate of part a

LOBB
Maker
is engraved into the brass plate on part b

Country of Origin

England