Children's shoes, black leather with strap, early 20th century, front view

Early 20th century. Children's shoes. Black leather Mary Jane-style shoe made with a vamp (toe) rounded in front and extending in back to the middle of the arch of the foot. The quarters are sewn together at center back. A strap over the instep with one domed button latches each shoe. All edges are bound with twill tape. The sole is thin leather without a heel and has been patched on the inner side of each shoe for wear caused by pronation of the foot. Lined with leather and cotton. Professionally made. Machine-sewn.

The Irma G. Bowen Historic Clothing Collection digital catalog was produced by the UNH Library Digital Collection Initiative, supported in part by a grant from the Mooseplate program and New Hampshire State Council on the Arts. Additional funding provided by the E. Ruth Buxton Stephenson Memorial Fund.

Photography copyright, Astrida Schaeffer.