Shoeshiner

Last updated
A boot polisher on a railway platform in Mumbai, India. Shoe-polish-guy-Bombay.jpg
A boot polisher on a railway platform in Mumbai, India.

Shoeshiner or boot polisher is an occupation in which a person cleans and buffs shoes and then applies a waxy paste to give a shiny appearance and a protective coating. They are often known as shoeshine boys because the job was traditionally done by a male child. Other synonyms are bootblack and shoeblack. While the role is denigrated in much of Western civilization, shining shoes is an important source of income for many children and families throughout the world. Some shoeshiners offer extra services, such as shoe repairs and general tailoring. Some well-known people started their working life as shoeshiners, including singers and presidents.

Contents

History

The earliest reliably dated photograph of a person, taken in spring 1838 by Daguerre, shows a person getting a shoeshine. Boulevard du Temple by Daguerre.jpg
The earliest reliably dated photograph of a person, taken in spring 1838 by Daguerre, shows a person getting a shoeshine.

Very large households in Victorian England sometimes included a young male servant called the Boot Boy, specializing in the care of footwear. Hotel staff for this function were commonly called The Boots. (A Boots was one of the crew in The Hunting of the Snark.) Branded shoe polish appeared early in the 19th century: Charles Dickens was employed at age 12 in Warren's Blacking Factory in London in 1824. [1] Since the late 19th century shoeshine boys plied their trade on the streets, and were common in British cities. The earliest known daguerreotype (photograph) of a human, View of the Boulevard du Temple , features a man having his shoes shined in the lower corner of the print. [2] Though the image shows Paris' busy Boulevard du Temple, the long exposure time (several minutes) meant that moving traffic cannot be seen; however, the two men at lower left (one apparently having his boots polished by the other) remained still long enough to be distinctly visible. Shoe shine posts were common in public places like railway stations throughout the 20th century, as featured in Fred Astaire's dance number A Shine on Your Shoes [3]

(video) A shoeshiner in Japan, 2016
The Independent Shoe-Black by John Thomson, 1877. John Thomson - The Independent Shoe-Black (AIC 2012.234.19) - cropped.jpg
The Independent Shoe-Black by John Thomson, 1877.
Shoeshiner at work in Tepotzotlan, Mexico. Shining Shoes - Plaza Hidalgo - Tepotzotlan - Mexico.jpg
Shoeshiner at work in Tepotzotlan, Mexico.
Shoeshiner at work in Porto, Portugal Shoeshiner in Porto.jpg
Shoeshiner at work in Porto, Portugal
Shoeshiner in Istanbul, Turkey ShoeshinerSilivri.jpg
Shoeshiner in Istanbul, Turkey
Shoeshiner at work in Havana, Cuba, 2014 Cuba Havana Shoeshine at work.jpg
Shoeshiner at work in Havana, Cuba, 2014

Modern profession

The profession is common in many countries around the world, with the revenue earned by the shoeshiner being a significant proportion of a family income, particularly when the father of the family has died or can no longer work. [4] In Afghanistan some children will work after school and can earn 100 Afghanis (around £1) each day. [5] Many street children use shoeshining as their only means of income.

Some cities require shoeshiners to acquire licences in order to work legally. In August 2007 shoeshiners in Mumbai, India were told that they could no longer work on the railway stations due to "financial irregularities". Every Shoeshine Association was asked to reapply for their license, with many worried that they would lose out to a rival. [6]

Famous shoeshiners

Several high-profile figures worked as shoeshiners at one point in their lives:

Shoeshiners have featured in:

Film and television

Literature and publications

The actor W. J. Hammond as Sam Weller blacking boots (1837) W J Hammond as Sam Weller 1837.jpg
The actor W. J. Hammond as Sam Weller blacking boots (1837)

Music

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dr. Martens</span> Footwear brand

Dr. Martens also known as Doc Martens, Docs, or DMs, is a footwear and clothing brand, headquartered in Wollaston, Northamptonshire. Although famous for its footwear, the company also makes a range of accessories including clothing and bags. The footwear is distinguished by its air-cushioned sole, upper shape, welted construction, and yellow stitching. The Dr Martens' design studio is in Camden Town, London England. The company manufactures in the UK, China, Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand. The company is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thigh-high boots</span> Boots extending above the knee

Thigh-high boots, known also as thigh-length boots or simply thigh boots, are boots that extend above the knees to at least mid-thigh. Other terms for this footwear include over-the-knee boots, a name originally used for 15th century riding boots for men. These are sometimes called pirate boots, especially when cuffed. Over-the-knee boots are sometimes abbreviated to OTK boots. Lengths vary from reaching just over the knee to reaching almost to the crotch.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ugg boots</span> Type of sheepskin boot from Australia and New Zealand

Ugg boots are a unisex style of sheepskin boot originating in Australia. The boots are typically made of twin-faced sheepskin with fleece on the inside, a tanned outer surface and a synthetic sole. The term "ugg boots" originated in Australia, initially for utilitarian footwear worn for warmth, and which were often worn by surfers during the 1960s. In the 1970s, the boots were introduced to the surf culture of the United Kingdom and the United States. Sheepskin boots became a fashion trend in the U.S. in the late 1990s and a worldwide trend in the mid-2000s. In Australia, they are worn predominantly as slippers and often associated with daggy fashion sense and bogan culture.

Clarks, the trade name of C. & J. Clark International Limited, is a British international shoe manufacturer and retailer majority owned by Viva Goods, Hong Kong. It was founded in 1825 by Cyrus Clark in the village of Street, Somerset, England, where the company's headquarters remain. The company has 1,400 branded stores and franchises around the world and also sells through third-party distribution. Clarks also operated concessions in Mothercare stores. Clarks had been owned by the Clark family and employees, but taken over via a £100 million investment by the Hong Kong-based private equity firm LionRock Capital, after which the Clarks family lost overall control of the company. In January 2021, Viva China Holdings agreed to acquire 51% of LionRock Capital, so has a substantial stake in the Clarks brand. Viva China was later renamed to be Viva Goods Co. Ltd.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Combat boot</span> Type of boots designed to be worn by soldiers

Combat or tactical boots are military boots designed to be worn by soldiers during combat or combat training, as opposed to during parades and other ceremonial duties. Modern combat boots are designed to provide a combination of grip, ankle stability, and foot protection suitable for a rugged environment. They are traditionally made of hardened and sometimes waterproofed leather. Today, many combat boots incorporate technologies originating in civilian hiking boots, such as Gore-Tex nylon side panels, which improve ventilation and comfort. They are also often specialized for certain climates and conditions, such as jungle boots, desert boots, and cold weather boots as well as specific uses, such as tanker boots and jump boots.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boot fetishism</span> Sexual fetish

Boot fetishism is a sexual fetish focused on boots. Boots have become the object of sexual attraction amounting to fetishism for some people and they have become a standard accessory in BDSM scenes and a fashion accessory in music videos. Boots are seen as perhaps the most fetishistic of all footwear and boots are the most popular fetish clothing attire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shoe polish</span> Product for leather care

Shoe polish, also known as boot polish and shoeshine, is a waxy paste, cream, or liquid that is used to polish, shine, and waterproof leather shoes or boots to extend the footwear's life and restore its appearance. Shoe polishes are distinguished by their textures, which range from liquids to hard waxes. Solvent, waxes, and colorants comprise most shoe polishes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Football boot</span> Footwear worn when playing association football

Football boots, called cleats or soccer shoes in North American English, are a type of shoe worn when playing association football (soccer). Those designed for grass pitches have studs on the outsole to aid grip. From simple and humble beginnings football boots have come a long way and today find themselves subject to much research, development, sponsorship and marketing at the heart of a multi-national global industry. Modern "boots" are no longer truly boots in that they do not cover the ankle - like most other types of athletic footwear, their basic design and appearance has converged with that of sneakers since the 1960s.

<i>Kinky Boots</i> (film) 2005 British comedy-drama film

Kinky Boots is a 2005 British comedy-drama film directed by Julian Jarrold and written by Geoff Deane and Tim Firth. Nominated at the 64th Golden Globe Awards, it is based on a true story. The film tells of struggling shoe factory owner Charlie, who forms an unlikely partnership with Lola, a drag queen, to save the business. Charlie develops a plan to produce custom footwear for drag queens, rather than the men's dress shoes that his firm is known for, alienating many in the process.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Henry Hill</span> American mobster (1943–2012)

Henry Hill Jr. was an American mobster who was associated with the Lucchese crime family of New York City from 1955 until 1980, when he was arrested on narcotics charges and became an FBI informant. Hill testified against his former Mafia associates, resulting in 50 convictions, including those of caporegime (captain) Paul Vario and fellow associate James Burke on multiple charges. He subsequently entered the Witness Protection Program, but was removed from the program in 1987.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Engineer boot</span> Leather work-boots

Engineer boots, also known as engineer's boots or engineering boots, are an American type of traditional leather work-boots. Their lace-less, rugged construction made them popular among motorcycle riders. Originally developed in the 1930s for firemen working on steam locomotives, the boots gained substantial popularity in the post–World War II era during a growing motorcycling culture. They became popular symbols of teenage rebellion in the 1950s and a common component of greaser wear. They were later adopted by skinheads and punks in the 1970s. By the 2010s, engineer boots were being popularly worn for fashion purposes, especially by non-traditional customers such as women, young urban professionals, and hipsters.

William "Billy Batts" Bentvena, also known as William Devino, was an Italian-American mobster with the Gambino crime family who was a longtime friend of John Gotti in the 1960s. After spending six years in prison for narcotics trafficking, Bentvena was murdered by Lucchese crime family associate Tommy DeSimone, with the help of fellow Lucchese associates James Burke and Henry Hill.

Acme Boots was the name of a company that produced boots. It eventually just became a brand name, and was last owned by H.H. Brown, until it was placed under their Double-H Boots brand label.

Double-H Boots manufactures western footwear. It is owned by H.H. Brown, a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway.

David Delmar Watson was an American child actor and news photographer.

Mr. Joe White Avenue is a boulevard in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, named for "Mr. Joe", a shoeshine man in Georgetown County, South Carolina, and later Myrtle Beach. Along with U.S. Route 501, Farrow Parkway, Harrelson Boulevard and 21st Avenue North, the upgraded road is one of five major entrances into Myrtle Beach.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northampton Museum and Art Gallery</span> Museum in Northampton, England, UK

Northampton Museum and Art Gallery is a public museum in Northampton, England. The museum is owned and run by West Northamptonshire Council and houses one of the largest collection of shoes in the world, with over 15,000 pairs, which was designated by Arts Council England as being of local, national and international importance.

Albert Lexie was a shoeshiner from Monessen, Pennsylvania, United States, who was known for his donations to charity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shoe shiners in Hong Kong</span>

Shoe shiners in Hong Kong are people who polish shoes on the street in Hong Kong for a living, mainly clustering on the pavement in Central, especially in Theatre Lane.

Oscar Smith (1885–1956) was an American actor who worked in Hollywood at Paramount Pictures from the 1920s through the 1940s. Like most black actors of his time, his appearances onscreen were often uncredited. He was known for his short stature, his youthful appearance, and his stutter.

References

  1. Christopher Hibbert, The Making of Charles Dickens (1962), chap. 2.
  2. Easby, Rebecca Jeffrey. "Daguerre's Paris Boulevard". Archived from the original on 15 February 2014. Retrieved 8 January 2014.
  3. The Band Wagon (1953) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gbb4kEk3NbQ
  4. HASCO. "Poverty forces Afghan children to quit school to work Archived 2008-05-10 at the Wayback Machine ". Accessed 20 August 2007.
  5. BBC News. "Photo journal: Kabul's street children". Accessed 20 August 2007.
  6. Yahoo! News India. 6 August 2007. "Mumbai plans to 'polish' off its shoeshine boys [ permanent dead link ]". Accessed 20 August 2007.
  7. Cartwright, Garth. BBC News. 2007. "Mahmoud Ahmed". Accessed 20 August 2007.
  8. Rogers, Richard. WRDW. 25 December 2006. "James Brown: Legend, believer, Augusta son Archived 2007-09-27 at the Wayback Machine ". Accessed 24 August 2007.
  9. Augusta Convention & Visitors Bureau. "James Brown Boulevard Archived 2007-09-28 at the Wayback Machine ". Accessed 24 August 2007.
  10. Smith, Rodney. BBC News. 13 January 2003. "Brazil braces for testing times". Accessed 20 August 2007.
  11. BBC News. 8 April 2001. "Toledo: Shoeshine boy turned economist". Accessed 20 August 2007.
  12. Cooper, Kenneth J. The Boston-Bay State Banner. 16 February 2006. "February 021606-03.htm Malcolm: The Boston years [ permanent dead link ]". Accessed 24 August 2007.
  13. SparkNotes. "SparkNotes: The Autobiography of Malcolm X". Accessed 24 August 2007.
  14. Copley News Service. Three Democrats battle for party's nomination for governor. March 9, 2002.
  15. Congressional Record, V. 144, Pt. 14, September 9 to September 21, 1998
  16. Preminuo čika Mišo,legenda Sarajeva
  17. Petrie, Juliette (1977). Quand on revoit tout ça! : [Le burlesque au Québec, 1914-1960] (in French). Jean Leclerc. [Montréal]: [Productions Vieux rêves]. ISBN   0-88604-006-X. OCLC   6144424.
  18. Allan May. "The Lufthansa Heist Revisited: The End of Tommy DeSimone". TruTV.com TruCrimeLibrary. Retrieved 12 December 2010.