by Tom Licence | Aug 18, 2018
Clear glass jar, with external screw thread, ground on top. Embossed on base ‘Propert’s, London’. Such jars contained boot cream or other creams and polishes. It is an early example of a jar with an external screw thread.
by Tom Licence | May 13, 2018
Brush for scrubbing mud off boots or for general household scrubbing. Thick stiff bristles are secured in groups by trace remains of copper wire. They are much worn down, showing why the brush was thrown away.
by Tom Licence | Apr 6, 2015
Two small jars for cosmetics or toiletries. The one on the left is made of milk glass. The one on the right is embossed ‘Boots Cash Chemists’ and contained a greasy orange residue. It retained its rusted metal screw-on lid. Of 100 bottle necks sampled in...
by Tom Licence | Mar 31, 2015
Aqua glass bottle, 12.7 cm tall, embossed on three sides: ‘Hauthaway’s/ Peerless Gloss/ Made in U.S.A’. Hauthaway’s company, established in 1852, manufactured protective coatings for shoes. The bottles come in different colours. Some have the...
by Tom Licence | Jan 24, 2015
A variety of dolls’ legs. These were tied, sewn or glued into fabric bodies and covered with the dresses worn by the dolls. Some have stockings and boots. It would have been too complicated for makers of cheap dolls to differentiate between left legs and right...
by Tom Licence | Jan 4, 2015
Aqua protective varnish bottle, embossed on two side ‘Hauthaway’s / Peerless Gloss’. Cork top. This American company made protective coatings for footwear.
by Tom Licence | Jan 4, 2015
Small brown stoneware bottle for boot polish or similar.
by Tom Licence | Dec 22, 2014
Woman’s leather shoe, c. 1910. From rubbish from labourers’ cottages, Kent.
