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 is inscribed with its maker's mark as being 'NICHOLSON, USA', indicating that Stanio gathered his tools from various countries. This edge iron 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

Dark colored wooden handled edge iron tool. The dark brown hour-glass shaped handle tapers towards the tool/handle junction. The handle exhibits two major splits that run almost the handle's length and the wood appears slightly darker near the tool head, possibly from being subject to heat or varnishes during use. Furthermore, a small medium tanned leather strap with a button hole plus an additional leather piece have been simultaneously singularly tacked the handle's lower portion. The tool head and handle join are covered by a metal neck, while the tool head appears as a skinny rectangular based shape with its functioning side resembling a wine-glass complete with an exaggerated lip. Furthermore, on the larger flat tool head side an array of inscriptions suggest the tool maker's details.

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.

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