1923 CORDWAINER'S HAND-PAINTED CHILD'S SHOE FORM / LAST

For Your Consideration, One ( 1 ) Near-Antique Cordwainer's Children's Two ( 2 ) section Wooden & Iron Shoe Last / Form embellished with Hand-painted Flora, Foliage & flowing Ribbons by Artist June Watts.  While uncertain of age of Painting, Last is Inked-stamped as being manufactured by the U. L. Co., Empire Branch, Rochester circa Oct. 1923. 

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Shoemakers or Cordwainers ( Historically, Cobblers were those individuals that repaired shoes ) produce a range of footwear items generally made of Leather, Wood, Rubber, Plastic, Jute or other plant material ( often consisting of multiple parts for better durability of the sole ) stitched to a Leather upper.  Most shoemakers use a last or form - Traditionally constructed from Iron or Wood or a combination of both, but now often of Plastic, on which to construct the shoe.  Some lasts are straight, while curved lasts come in pairs: One ( 1 ) for Left shoes and the other for Right shoes.  This particular Auction is for a Single Child's Left last.

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Measuring 7 - 1/4" in Length, 2 - 5/8" at greatest Height and with the greatest Width of 2 - 1/2", Near-Antique Wooden Last is constructed from Two ( 2 ) Wooden sections, an Iron fitting on the backsection  for mounting on the Cordwainer's working table, a Metal pin which allows the Last sections to move back & forth and a metal plate on the Heel.

Last is embellished with Hand-paintings of Pink & Blue Flora / Posies with Yellow centers amidst Green Foliage and flowing Green ribbons.

Inner side of Last is stamped with an Oval Manufacturer's Black Ink Trademark stating "EMPIRE BRANCH", "U.L. Co.", "ROCHESTER" and "OCT 1923" within.

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Condition of Wooden & Iron Last is Quite Good:  It becomes obvious that Last was used over a lengthy period of time - Numerous Nail holes on the Reverse sole surface; Strike marks on Steel plate; Aged Vertical split to Wood at heel; Great Patina to both Wood & Iron portions; Light rusting to Iron; Some loss of Wood at arch-point, Toe section and back of Heel.  Otherwise, no other chips or cracks / breaks to Wood or Iron, missing portions nor prior repairs noted.

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Great Utilitarian example of a hands-on Trade nearly lost, But with the advent of an increase in Custom Designers - is making a resurgence back to Traditional methods of fabrication.  Unique item further enhanced with a Late Victorian / Country Folk Art feel of Hand-painting !!!  Displays Well on a Side table, Placed amidst other Shoe items or even displayed atop Old Books within a Bookcase !!!

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