Shoe Size and Shape

Shoe Lasts

Every shoemaker needs a shoe last! Traditional shoe forms were usually made of wood, carved specifically for the customer.

Wooden Shoe Lasts for Bunion
1865
Wood
Made by John Ormond Jr. (1832-1913) or his son William. There is a small wooden block nailed to the toe of the left shoe form. This was to make shoes for a man with a large bunion.
101001.8.1, 101001.8.2
Gift of Mrs. P.J. Poulter, Zina Young Camp

Small Wooden Shoe Last
19th Century
Wood, metal
A shoe last is used to determine the shape and fit of a shoe. This wooden last would have been used to mold or repair a child’s shoe.
101001.10
Donor unknown

Wooden Shoe Last
1855
Wood
William Apperley, Sr. brought this wooden last across the plains in 1855. William was a tailor by trade, but he made his family’s shoes out of rawhide and cloth from a soldier’s coat.
101001.9
Gift of Thomas Tarbet Camp DUP

Before the year 1800, most leather shoes did not have a right and left foot! "Straights" would fit both feet. It wasn't until the Industrial Era, when shoes began to be manufactured in factories, that shoe shapes and sizes were standardized.

Foot Rule
1853-1877
Wood, metal
Made by Belcher Bros. and Co. of New York. A foot rule is used to measure feet to determine shoe size. The small wooden wedge piece glides up and down to measure the foot.
101001.18
Donor unknown

Cast iron shoe lasts came in specific sizes and some were even marked Right or Left. These lasts were flipped upside down and secured on a lasting jack.

Cast Iron Left Shoe Last
19th Century
Metal
This cast iron shoe last belonged to Charles Hills Baker (1845-1929). The last would have been placed upside-down on a lasting stand to make or repair a left shoe.
101001.12.1
Gift of V. Kaye Nelson

Cast Iron Shoe Last
19th Century
Metal
This cast iron shoe form, marked “Warranted 16,” belonged to Charles Hills Baker (1845-1929). Cast iron lasts were common during the Industrial Era in Europe because it retained its shape well when wet leather was stretched over it.
101001.12.2
Gift of V. Kaye Nelson

Pointed Metal Shoe Last
19th Century
Metal
This shoe last belonged to Charles Hills Baker (1845-1929). The cast iron shoe mold was likely used to make a woman’s heeled shoe.
101001.24
Gift of V. Kaye Nelson

Man’s Right Shoe on Cast Iron Shoe Last Stand
19th Century
Leather and wood, metal
This last stand belonged to Charles Hills Baker (1845-1929). The cast iron stand would be used to hold a shoe in place for stretching leather or making repairs.
060401.6, 101001.20
Gift of V. Kaye Nelson and Nedra Mazrun

What is your shoe size? How do you know?
Do you think the iron shoe lasts are heavy? What about the wood?

Shoe Size and Shape

Shoe Lasts

What is your shoe size? How do you know?

Do you think the iron shoe lasts are heavy? What about the wood?