Summary

This hand made shoe pattern piece is generated from brown paper and was mostly likely used by Stanio Fancoff within the production of his various shoe styles sometime between the 1930s and the 1970s. The pattern's distinct 'U' shape and the inscription 'N.4' suggests it was a combination of toe, vamp and side shoe covering. Amongst many others, this pattern is part of the shoemaking designer kit that enabled Stanio to acquire versatility and different fashions within his shoemaking trade.

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

Generated from brown paper, this stylised 'U' shaped shoe pattern has several pencilled markings. Firstly, a horizontal pencil mark (approximately 6cm length) is located within the base of the U shape. Second, a straight edged line runs parallel to the patterns inner right edge, whilst on the left outer edge a free-hand curved line emphasises the patterns curvature. In addition, located within the pattern's left flank is 'N.4' written within cursive inscription. Although the pattern appears to be in good condition, it has been symetrically folded length ways and there are several creases and various smudges.

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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