1920s Shoe Mystery

Jasmin Key

Jasmin Key

Registered Guest
I was wondering if anyone has an idea of the maker on these shoes. Sadly one shoe label is near invisible and the other is only half visible. I'm adding a photo of the shoes and the label.


Jeanne (+ fairly illegible letters)
Bottier
Paris

1920s two tone collage.jpg 1920s two tone.jpg
 
I can see Jeanne d'A__ - and if it's not an A it must be another vowel, to come after the apostrophe. Could it be Jeanne d'Arc (Joan of Arc)? As a brand name, rather than the name of the shoemaker.

Bottier means shoemaker in English (literally bootmaker)
 
Not a name I recognize. There were dozens of hand shoemakers and even more milliners in Paris at this time who made their living from the fashion tourist who would order their accessories to go with their haute couture purchases.
 
Leonardo da Vintage said:
I can see Jeanne d'A__ - and if it's not an A it must be another vowel, to come after the apostrophe. Could it be Jeanne d'Arc (Joan of Arc)? As a brand name, rather than the name of the shoemaker.

Bottier means shoemaker in English (literally bootmaker)
Click to expand...

That (Jeanne d'A) has been the most popular suggestion :-)
 
Jonathan said:
Not a name I recognize. There were dozens of hand shoemakers and even more milliners in Paris at this time who made their living from the fashion tourist who would order their accessories to go with their haute couture purchases.
Click to expand...

It's one of those things we may never know. It's fun trying to find out. Thank you both for your responses.
 
I don't recognise the brand but I think you just about have enough remaining to decipher it with technique.
I thought there may be another part, perhaps just an initial before Jeanne? It would also help to know what is written after Paris - telefre? telepre?
Can you show me a few photos from different angles? It is also worth photographing both shoes if both marked with the same brand.
When the ink has rubbed off the impression can be all that remains. You can take a rubbing using thin paper and a soft pencil or chalk etc.
 
Pinkcoke said:
I don't recognise the brand but I think you just about have enough remaining to decipher it with technique.
I thought there may be another part, perhaps just an initial before Jeanne? It would also help to know what is written after Paris - telefre? telepre?
Can you show me a few photos from different angles? It is also worth photographing both shoes if both marked with the same brand.
When the ink has rubbed off the impression can be all that remains. You can take a rubbing using thin paper and a soft pencil or chalk etc.
Click to expand...
Oh that is such a clever idea!! I will try that. Thank you Melanie! I'll try more photos too...
 
Also, if the soles are largely unworn a number of shoes I've had also had a logo pressed into the ball of the foot area. The lettering (or missing parts) may be more legible there.
 
I think Ruth solved it! After I read her post I decided it looks like Jeanne d'Arc to me, too. I then found this quote in a 1909 edition of the Boot and Shoe Recorder (emphasis is mine): "Accompanying these are a dozen illustrations of the latest styles of high class ladies' footwear bearing such titles as Morning Gloery, Vesta, Constance, Jeanne d'Arc, D'Orsay, Puritan, and Circe."
 
Pinkcoke said:
Also, if the soles are largely unworn a number of shoes I've had also had a logo pressed into the ball of the foot area. The lettering (or missing parts) may be more legible there.
Click to expand...
Sadly Melanie, they have rubber glued on them!

lkranieri said:
I think Ruth solved it! After I read her post I decided it looks like Jeanne d'Arc to me, too. I then found this quote in a 1909 edition of the Boot and Shoe Recorder (emphasis is mine): "Accompanying these are a dozen illustrations of the latest styles of high class ladies' footwear bearing such titles as Morning Gloery, Vesta, Constance, Jeanne d'Arc, D'Orsay, Puritan, and Circe."
Click to expand...
Lynne - thank you! :) It certainly does look like the mystery has been solved.

Thank you to everyone for all your input. I truly appreciate all your help :drinkingtoast:
 
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