Shoes

What means this shoe so very new? Why, "23" skidoo, skidoo! But if you'll be my Valentine, This shoe, my love, will not fit you. The "23 skidoo" fad--a joking way to tell someone to "scram" or "get lost"--was popular in the 1900s and 1910s. For an amazing compilation of information regarding the fad, see the 23 Skidoo Postcards Web site. Postmarked: Newark, N.J., Feb. 13, 1909. Sent to: Mr. Miles Tarbell, Groton, Tompkins County, New York. Message: Yours sincerely, Belle D.

"Latest styles in boots and shoes at H. O. Robinson's, opp. Hampshire House, Ware."

An advertising postcard for Nunn-Bush Shoes. None But Nunn-Bush Shoes for Me! Nunn-Bush Ankle-Fashioned Oxfords. Most styles, $8.50 to $11.50, a few higher. Nunn-Bush shoes are ankle-fashioned to make their trim lines last. The John B. Wilt Co., "The Home of Good Clothes," Elkins, W. Va.

So why is a kid with a dopey expression hoisting a giant flower-filled slipper onto another kid's back? It's just another Victorian-era mystery waiting to be solved in this curious illustration from an unused advertising trade card.

When I purchased this unused real photo postcard at a postcard show a few years ago, I thought it would be a straightforward matter to determine whose shoes these were. My first thought was that they belonged to someone like Robert Wadlow (1918-1940), who at 8 feet 11.1 inches "was the tallest person in history for whom there is irrefutable evidence." But since Wadlow was born in 1918, the smaller shoe from 1882 couldn't be his, and the larger shoe from 1926 dates to when Wadlow was 8 years old. Surely he wasn't wearing shoes that large at such a young age!

"Service Shoes, Size 17 EE. The largest size shoe issued by the Pennsylvania National Guard at Fort Indiantown Gap." On display at the Pennsylvania National Guard Military Museum , located at Fort Indiantown Gap Military Reservation, near Annville, Pa. The museum has two floors of interesting and intriguing exhibits and is definitely worth a visit. For the Vintage Indoor Oddities group.

The Haines Shoe House mailbox and building, Hellam, York County, Pennsylvania. The building is visible from a nearby highway (Route 30) and is located not far from the Lincoln Highway (Route 462). Mahlon Haines, the self-proclaimed "Shoe Wizard" and owner of a string of shoe stores, invited newlyweds and others to vacation at the house after it was built in 1949.

A nineteenth-century broadside advertisement for Theodore Trickel 's new shoe store in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Opened! Theodore Trickel. New Shoe Store, 1520 South 63d Street. Unfurl the [flag] and spread the news, Theo. Trickel repairs all kinds of shoes, Men's, women's, and misses' repaired very neat At 1520 South 63d Street. Shoes repaired from the best of leather And warranted to keep out the weather, Half soleing and heeling done with care, Of your patronage he asks a share. Invisible patches put on quite neat That cannot be seen upon the feet, All the work that is done by me, Will give satisfaction I guarantee. The public all should keep in view Shoes repaired to look like new, Don't forget to give me a call Shoes repaired, large or small. Custom Work a Specialty Repairing neatly done and promptly attended to. Ready-made shoes in stock for men, women, and children at the lowest prices. Theodore Trickel 1520 South 63d Street, Philadelphia Alfred D. Smith, printer, 5841 Baynton Street, Germantown.

"Pamper your man . . . and the whole family, too! Dremel Electric Shoe Polishers." This is the front panel of a folded product tag that was originally attached to a shoe polisher purchased in 1965 ("7-65" is penciled in on the back). Inside are brief descriptions of the different models--The Aristocrat, The Diplomat, and The Executive--and a service guarantee. The inside text begins with the statement, "This Dremel Electric Shoe Polisher is a man-pleasing gift the whole family can use--and enjoy." A "man-pleasing gift"? Yikes!

"Rosenbloom Brothers, successors to E. J. Beane, 186 to 190 Westminster St., Providence. Copyright by James B. Harrison, 1882."

"Easter, 1888. Compliments of Shaub & Burns, the shoe dealers, 14 North Queen St., Lancaster, Pa. The best makes of shoes a specialty. Common, medium, and finest. The largest assortment in the city. Your trade respectfully solicited." A Victorian-era advertising trade card dating to 1888.

"Easter Compliments. Frey & Eckert, Boots and Shoes, 3 East King Street, Lanc., Pa. Your trade solicited. Boots and shoes made to order. Reparing neatly done." A Victorian-era advertising trade card.

A nineteenth-century advertising trade card for Solar Tip Shoes. For two additional cards, see Solar Tip Shoes Sold by John P. Twaddell and Solar Tip Shoes Manufactured by John Mundell and Company (below). "Solar Tip Shoes. Made only by John Mundell & Co., Philad'a. The Best Sole Leather Tip Made. Pat'd February 19, 1878. None genuine without the trademark. Solar Tip. I wish I had Solar Tips. Sold by ________. Craig, Finley & Co., Lith., Phila. Over."

"Solar Tip Shoes, sold by: John P. Twaddell, 1212 Market Street. Made only by John Mundell & Co., Philad. Solar Tip Brigade. The Daisy Shoe. The Best Sole Leather Tip Made. Solar Tip, trademark, J.M. & Co., patented 1877. Lith. Craig. Finley & Co., 1020 Arch St., Phila."

"Solar Tip Shoes. Manufactured only by John Mundell & Co., Philadelphia. The best sole leather tip made. Pat'd February 19, 1878."