Gilman Shoes

Pair of children’s shoes made from cloth and leather, C.S. Gilman, about 1851. Museum no. T.276-1963 (click image for larger version)

These children's shoes were made in England by C. S. Gilman in about 1851. He showed a large number of his shoes for adults and children at the Great Exhibition during that year. These shoes for a young child are quite practical: they have flat soles with no heels, to help a child balance, and straps which give some support to the foot and ankle. But some of his work, such as a girl's velvet boot trimmed with swansdown and ribbon, was more likely to have been made especially for the Exhibition. This showed that he could produce styles in rich materials and create unusual effects.

The black pair are made from velvet and have a patent leather toecap and fasten with black silk bows. The other pair are buff coloured cloth which has been topstitched. These ones also have a leather toecap and a leather sole. There are two pearlised buttons on the foot and one on each ankle strap.

Pair of children’s shoes made from leather and velvet, C.S. Gilman, about 1851. Museum no. T.278-1963. (click image for larger version)

With the growth of the shoe industry during the Victorian period, parents could buy a greater variety of children's styles, but this was of no help to poor children. They wore old and badly fitting shoes, sometimes padded out with paper. Many went barefoot. In 1880 education became free and compulsory for most children in the UK aged between five and ten. Schools required children to wear shoes, and many faced a difficult choice. If they went to school barefoot they would receive a punishment, but if they stayed away their parents would be fined.