“The Romance of the Shoe, being a History of Shoemaking in all ages, and especially in England and Scotland”

by Thomas Wright

1922 (First Edition)

with 146 illustrations

Published by C.J. Farncombe & Sons ltd. 30 Imperial Buildings,

Ludgate Circus EC4 London

Hardback volume in original blue cloth binding with gold lettering

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Contrary to what the modern reader may be tempted to think from the title, this is not a story of foot fetish but possibly the best and in depth text on the history of the ‘Gentle Craft’.

Filled with illustrations and art representing shoemaking through time, stories on the patron saints of shoemaking , how shoemaking came to be known as the Gentle Craft and the development of the trade from early times to present.

It should be noted the author is from the ‘shoe village’ of Olney, near Northampton and offers a particularly close insider’s look in the culture of the trade rather than just a broad historian’s glance.

An important read for any craftsman in the trade