Summary

This rectangular wooden handled edge iron is part of Stanio Fancoff's extensive shoemaking kit. The edge iron family is the largest in the shoemaker's kit and each tool comes within various sizes and formats. Used heated, the edge iron is run under pressure along the shoe's sole edge to seal the leather from water, enhance its sturdiness and provide an aesthetic appearance of shine and fashionable style. This particular tool has the letters 'SF' inscribed within its neck, possibly referencing ownership to Stanio Fancoff. Along with many other edge irons, this tool was an integral part of Stanio's shoemaking kit, that enhanced both the shoes function and its aesthetic qualities.

Stanio Ivanoff Fancoff was born in 1908 in Bojentsi, a small village in Bulgaria. At age 11, Stanio left home to learn the shoemaking trade. In 1929, he immigrated to Melbourne, settled in Fitzroy and began to work for the V.G. Zemancheff & Sons basket shoe factory in South Melbourne. In1936, he married Dorotea Georgi Touzou who had recently arrived in Australia. Around this time, Stanio set up his own shoemaking business from home, with Georgi, her cousin and sister weaving the shoes which he then assembled. Select shoe samples were then taken to Sydney and Tasmania for sale. In 1942, Georgi and Stanio moved to Broken Hill for Georgi's health; there daughter Nancy was born and Stanio set up a shoe shop/factory. In 1945, Georgi died and by 1950 Stanio and Nancy had moved to Adelaide where he again opened a shoemaking business and shop. He passed away in 1978, having been in the shoemaking business for 59 years. This collection documents his migration and working life experiences.

Physical Description

Light coloured wooden handled edge iron tool. The plainly round shaped handle is light brown in colour and tapers towards the tool/handle junction. The handle appears slightly burnt near the tool head and the wood appears well-worn. Furthermore, a small dark tanned leather strap with a button hole plus an additional leather piece has been simultaneously tacked to the handle's base. The double-sided tool head has one side that ascends steeply while the other appears flat with a lip addition. Furthermore, the tool's neck exhibits four groove marks while the opposing side illustrates two grooves. The inscription 'SF', possibly referencing Stanio Fancoff appears on the larger flat side in a hand-made puncture format.

Significance

This collection is significant in documenting a small migrant business as well as the fashion of a particular period. It is well provenanced and charts the application of trade skills in a new country. It also illustrates the stages of hand shoe manufacture from the 1930s, demonstrating the enduring nature of the tools and patterns that were used.

More Information