Four Victorian Beech Children’s Shoe Lasts Stamped H Davey & Sons Leicester, 19th century

Four wonderfully evocative children’s shoe lasts made of beech. They are in excellent condition. They are stamped with their respective sizes 23, 24 and 27 (x2) across the front. H Davey & Sons Leicester is stamped on the side.

Before the end of the 18th century Leicester had only as many boot- and shoemakers as were needed to the town. From about 1793 their numbers increased, owing to the demand for standardized boots for the army during the Napoleonic wars. In 1831, Leicester had 425 boot- and shoemakers, a proportion of 21 per thousand of the population.

The first significant name associated with shoemaking in Leicester was Henry Davey, a patten and last maker, who arrived about 1800, having recently completed a seven-year apprenticeship in Guilford. He became the largest last manufacturer in the town and an important influence on the growth of the industry. He is registered as operating from 5 Townhall Lane (renamed Guildhall Lane). Leicestershire Records Office has papers relating to Henry Davey & Co, lastmakers, dating between 1771 and 1929.