[Illustration] Ladies’ Dress Shoes of the Nineteenth Century With Sixty-three Illustrations BY T. WATSON GREIG OF GLENCARSE _Author of_ “Ladies’ Old Fashioned Shoes” EDINBURGH: DAVID DOUGLAS 1900 Preface. The sixty-three ladies’ shoes now illustrated have all belonged to and been worn by ladies of the 19th century. They have been most carefully selected to illustrate the variety and change of fashion during that period. The shoes can be copied in any material by any shoemaker. I beg to return thanks to all those who have been so kind as to give me their assistance in collecting them. GLENCARSE, _28th May 1900_. Frontispiece. This specimen of Mule or Bedroom Slipper is in green velvet, on which the coat of arms is embroidered in rich silk and metallic threads. The front is finished off with a white silk ruche, held in place with a row of narrow gold braid, and the lower outline softened with an edging of fine blonde lace. The heel is covered with royal blue satin, and the lining is white. The maker is Abrahams, Westbourne Grove, W. Plate I. We have in this illustration three fine specimens of the modern shoemaker’s craft. The general shape of the shoes is much the same, but what may be called the decoration is varied. The satisfactory use of the “Magpie” colours is striking, and argues the good taste of the worker, and the designs, though simple, give scope to great excellence in workmanship. The cordonnier artist has apparently considered his lines as carefully as the best of yacht builders. The material employed in the first two instances is kid, and in the other black and white velvet. [Illustration: PLATE I.] Plate II. Illustrates three black satin shoes. The first, without heel and very square toe, was, no doubt, comfortable, but decidedly unshapely foot-gear. The sole is thin, and there is no attempt at ornamentation, even to hide the elastic ankle strap. As this shoe dates back a considerable number of years, it serves to show the many modern improvements of its two companions. No. 2 has a general appearance, which at once demands admiration. The heel is medium, the toe pointed, and the ornament is a trefoil in old paste. This shoe belonged to Mrs Macandrew of Dalcross Castle, N.B., who may be congratulated on its size, or, rather, want of size, and on the good taste which chooses a plainness of style embodying the essence of smartness. The Jubilee Shoe has Louis heel, and is embroidered with the Royal Crown and initials, V.R., with motto, “God save the Queen.” This shoe was designed in honour of Her Majesty’s first Jubilee, 1887. In 1897 a similar shoe appeared with the Crown, date, and wording, “Sixty Years Celebration.”