-
Welcome to this forum . We are a worldwide group with a common interest in Birmingham and its history. While here, please follow a few simple rules. We ask that you respect other members, thank those who have helped you and please keep your contributions on-topic with the thread.
We do hope you enjoy your visit. BHF Admin Team
Birmingham boots and shoes?
- Thread starter Godber
- Start date
MWS
from Bham
On the 1881 census searching for boot*maker in Bham, Aston & Kings Norton districts gives more than 1200 results, so they were definitely made in the area at that time.
The * in the search is a wildcard which could be just a blank space or a phrase such as 'and shoe'.
To give some idea of numbers searching for gun* (which would cover finisher, filer, maker etc) gives just over 4200 results.
The * in the search is a wildcard which could be just a blank space or a phrase such as 'and shoe'.
To give some idea of numbers searching for gun* (which would cover finisher, filer, maker etc) gives just over 4200 results.
RobT
Acemeccanoman
This advert is from the latter 1890's, with the 'Largest Boot and Shoe Manufacturers in the World'
and I bet they sold a few shoes in the next hundred years!
Last edited:
brummy-lad
master brummie
Hi John, my gt-gt-grandfather was a boot and shoe maker, he came from France in the early 1850s and I have an advert from 1853 in Birmingham. I will post it as soon as I can find it.
brummy-lad
master brummie
This is one of the adverts,I have a full page advert somewhere but can't locate it at the moment.
Attachments
Surprisingly, enough employees in Birmingham to seek membership of the Nat Union of Operative Boot & Shoe Riveters and Finishers.viv
Source: British Newspaper Archive
Source: British Newspaper Archive
And later that year they went on strike. The article talks about 500-600 striking employees and about 32 employers. The number of employees would have been significantly higher if those not on strike were added.
A newspaper reported in another article 100 years later that there were 40 Birmingham manufacturers of boots and shoes in the 1850s. (Source: Birmingham Gazette, 3/1/1950).
Viv
Source: British Newspaper Archive
A newspaper reported in another article 100 years later that there were 40 Birmingham manufacturers of boots and shoes in the 1850s. (Source: Birmingham Gazette, 3/1/1950).
Viv
Source: British Newspaper Archive
Last edited:
Lady Penelope
master brummie
Very interesting report Viv. My Gt Aunt Augusta was a boot 'clicker' in Birmingham around the turn of the 20th century.
Lady Penelope
master brummie
Sorry meant to include the following:
A boot and shoe clicker is the person who cuts the uppers for boots or shoes from a skin of leather or piece of man-made material (usually from a bulk roll). This includes all components of the upper, including linings, facings, stiffeners, reinforcements for eyelets and zip-protectors.
Wonder why the job was called a 'clicker'.
A boot and shoe clicker is the person who cuts the uppers for boots or shoes from a skin of leather or piece of man-made material (usually from a bulk roll). This includes all components of the upper, including linings, facings, stiffeners, reinforcements for eyelets and zip-protectors.
Wonder why the job was called a 'clicker'.
Godber
master brummie
Seems like high end stuff, perhaps for for the more well-to-do.
Well Viv, it seems there WAS a significant number of bootmakers after all. I learn something new every day, here.
Thanks for all the replies, everyone
Godber
master brummie
Godber
master brummie
Sadly, nearly all shoes bought in Britain are now made abroad but some mass producers still exist. Personally, I think “Fashion” is generally a bad thing because it encourages items to be cheaply made and disposable rather than well made and durable. A well made pair of shoes if cared for correctly can be re-soled and last for many years. You’ll certainly pay more initially but in the long run, I think it’s worth it.
brummy-lad
master brummie
Found it.
Attachments
![E H LEROUX 1852 Advert in Slaters r[15747].jpg](/forum/data/attachments/104/104778-4d5e5021e2603276710cbb2112d4852c.jpg?hash=TV5QIeJgMn)
RobT
Acemeccanoman
This is from Slater's 1852, as MWS has already said there are many Bootmakers in Birmingham, I reckon about 800,
this is the page with Brummy-Lad's Gt-Gt-Grandfather, this is Page 5 of 8.
But remember that at that time many boot & shoemakers might have spent much of their time repairing rather than making boots & shoes, which , because they were made properly in those days, as very important. Also that section of Slaters is described as "Boot & Shoemakers and Warehouses", so would have included some places that only sold the items, not made them (though likely that would have been only a small number)
RobT
Acemeccanoman
Another Boot and Shoe Manufactory from 1852 Slater's
RobT
Acemeccanoman
Comment appreciated Mike,
Back in 1818 there was only 45 Boot and Shoe Makers, 9 were in Bull St
