The Art of Boot and Shoemaking: A Practical Handbook Including Measurement, Last-Fitting, Cutting-Out, Closing, and Making

This 1885 classic by John Bedford Leno (1826–94) includes over 100 diagrams and illustrations inside the following chapters:



1. Historical

2. The Anatomy of the Foot

3. The Foot:—Its Ailments, and Their Remedies

4. Measurement

5. Lasts

6. Fitting Up the Last

7. Choice and Purchase of Materials

8. Cutting Out

9. Fitting and Closing

10. Boot and Shoemaking: Men’s Work

11. Boot and Shoemaking: Women’s Work

12. Leggings and Gaiters

13. Mending

14. Furring

15. Bows and Rosettes

16. Boot and Shoe Armour: Tips, Plates, and Nails

17. Kit-Cutting

18. Sharpening Knives and Awls

19. Special Operations

20. Boot and Shoe Machines

2.1 Leather Cutting, Splitting, and Rolling Machines

22. Machines Employed for Preparatory Processes—Upper Splitting and Skiving

23. Upper Closing and Sole Attaching Machines

24. Machines for Building, Moulding, Attaching, Breasting, and Finishing Heels

25. Machines Used for Levelling Seams of Uppers, Edge Setting, and Levelling and Buffing Bottoms

26. Useful Receipts for Shoemakers

27. Conclusion