Not on display

Shoes

1958 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Start-rite shoes are one of the most familiar brands of footwear for children. Their shoes are designed to allow for growth and to prevent damage to children’s feet, by incorporating extra supports and numerous width fittings.

The Start-rite brand name was first used in the early 1920s, and was promoted through colourful and bold advertising campaigns. In the 1920s and 1940s the company commissioned high-profile health inspections to examine children’s feet, and pronounced both times that children’s growth was being stunted and their feet damaged. Throughout the twentieth century, Start-rite shoes were marketed to parents as a healthy, well-fitted investment in their child’s future.

These shoes were worn by a child called Stephen, who was born in London in 1957. They were the first shoes he wore once he learned to walk.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Child's Shoe
  • Child's Shoe
Brief description
Red leather shoes, Start-rite, English, 1958
Production typeMass produced
Credit line
Given by Mary Kempson
Summary
Start-rite shoes are one of the most familiar brands of footwear for children. Their shoes are designed to allow for growth and to prevent damage to children’s feet, by incorporating extra supports and numerous width fittings.

The Start-rite brand name was first used in the early 1920s, and was promoted through colourful and bold advertising campaigns. In the 1920s and 1940s the company commissioned high-profile health inspections to examine children’s feet, and pronounced both times that children’s growth was being stunted and their feet damaged. Throughout the twentieth century, Start-rite shoes were marketed to parents as a healthy, well-fitted investment in their child’s future.

These shoes were worn by a child called Stephen, who was born in London in 1957. They were the first shoes he wore once he learned to walk.
Collection
Accession number
MISC.218:1-1988

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Record createdJuly 1, 2009
Record URL
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