Shoe Polish Collection

Allons bon!...la v'là qui...verse du cirage dans mon chocolat!... 1844. Creator: Honore Daumier
Allons bon!...la v'la qui...verse du cirage dans mon chocolat!... 1844. Allons bon!...la v'la qui au lieu de lait, verse du cirage dans mon chocolat!...satane roman va!...'

A Charlatan Selling Blacking in the Piazza Barberini in Rome, 1840-1849. Creator: Wilhelm Marstrand
A Charlatan Selling Blacking in the Piazza Barberini in Rome, 1840-1849

Shoe Blacking Bottle, c. 1940. Creator: Anne Nemtzoff
Shoe Blacking Bottle, c. 1940

Shoeshine stand, Southeastern U. S. 1936. Creator: Walker Evans
Shoeshine stand, Southeastern U.S. [Sign: Shine - Bennie Sims. On bicycle: City Shine Parlour ]

Shoe Blacking Bottle, c. 1939. Creator: Van Silvay
Shoe Blacking Bottle, c. 1939

Shoe Blacking Bottle, c. 1937. Creator: Charles Garjian
Shoe Blacking Bottle, c. 1937

Shoeshine boy polishing a salors boots, advertisement for Carrs Blackit shoe polish (chromolitho)
6030700 Shoeshine boy polishing a salors boots, advertisement for Carrs Blackit shoe polish (chromolitho) by English School

Derby shoe polish (colour litho)
982702 Derby shoe polish (colour litho) by Czech School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Derby shoe polish. Cinderella stamp.); Look and Learn / Valerie Jackson Harris Collection

Boot Scraper, c. 1816 (coloured engraving)
STC373412 Boot Scraper, c.1816 (coloured engraving) by Lambert, E. F. (fl.1823-46); Private Collection; (add.info.: L Artiste Decrotteur; ); The Stapleton Collection; English, out of copyright

The Boys New York, 1886 (oil on canvas)
985054 The Boys New York, 1886 (oil on canvas) by Brown, John George (1831-1913); 61x40.6 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: The Boys New York. John George Brown (1831-1913). Oil on canvas

Old Woman In A Shoe (chromolitho)
733289 Old Woman In A Shoe (chromolitho) by American School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Old Woman In A Shoe.); Look and Learn / Barbara Loe Collection

The Street Cries of Paris (engraving)
CHT441009 The Street Cries of Paris (engraving) by French School, (18th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: les Veritables Cris de Paris; ); eArchives Charmet; French, out of copyright

New York Scenes, with profile of Empress State Building in background, Thursday 15th October 1964

Three brothers - John, Simon and Mark Hancock - are brushing up on a little fundraising. All members of the 11th Rugby (Admirals) Cub Scout pack at Bilton

A Pair of Polished Gentlemen, March 10, 1801. Creator: James Gillray
A Pair of Polished Gentlemen, March 10, 1801

Advertisement for Berrys boot polish, 1887

Man walking two crutches Amsterdam street figures
Man walking with two crutches Amsterdam street figures around 1770 (series title), A man moves with two crutches and carries a shoe-polish box around his neck

Navy men shining their shoes
July 23, 1953 - Navy men shining their shoes at Munsan-ni, preparing for inspection prior to acting as honor guard at signing of armistice at Panmunjom, Korea

AD: SHOE POLISH, 1890. American magazine advertisement for Browns French Dressing shoe polish, 1890

AD: SHOE POLISH, 1887. American magazine advertisement for Raven Gloss shoe polish, 1887

Advertisement for Tana shoe polish by Leonetto Cappiello, poster, 1925
Posters, Italy, 20th century. Advertisment for Tana shoe polish. By Leonetto Cappiello (1875-1942), 1925

Bootblacks, New York City, 1890s C016 / 8996
Bootblacks, New York City, 1890s. 19th-century gelatin silver print of bootblacks (boot polishers) on the streets of New York City, USA

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"Preserving the Shine: A Glimpse into the World of Shoe Polish" Step back in time to the bustling streets of Southeastern U. S. In 1936, where a shoeshine stand stood as a testament to craftsmanship and attention to detail. Captured by Walker Evans, this snapshot transports us to an era when shoe care was an art form. Intriguingly, it is not just the shine that captivates our attention but also the vessels that held these magical elixirs. Van Silvay's shoe blacking bottle from 1939 and Charles Garjian's creation from 1937 remind us of how even everyday objects were crafted with elegance and style. Advertising played its part too, as seen in Carrs Blackit shoe polish advertisement featuring a diligent shoeshine boy meticulously polishing a sailor's boots. The vibrant chromolitho print brings forth memories of simpler times when quality mattered above all else. Shoe polish has long been associated with transforming footwear into works of art. From Derby shoe polish depicted in vivid color lithographs to James Gillray's satirical illustration titled "A Pair of Polished Gentlemen, " we witness how shoes became more than mere accessories - they became statements. Yet, amidst this grandeur lies humble reminders such as boot scrapers dating back to 1816 or "The Boys New York" painting from 1886 capturing scenes from everyday life. These artifacts serve as testaments to the importance placed on cleanliness and presentation throughout history. Even nursery rhymes like "Old Woman In A Shoe" immortalize footwear care through charming chromolithos while engravings like "The Street Cries of Paris" transport us across borders, showcasing universal practices rooted in maintaining appearances. Fast forward to modern times; advertisements for Berrys boot polish from 1887 remind us that even then people sought products that would keep their shoes looking impeccable. This desire for perfection has transcended time and continues to be relevant today.