Evolution of the Shoe

Wilcox, R. Turner (1888–1970) ; [Artist & Costume Historian]

The Mode in Footwear [A Historical Survey]

New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1948.
An exhaustive and definitive visual history of footwear from antiquity through the mid-20th century. 

R. Turner Wilcox, a renowned authority on the history of dress, provides a meticulous record of shoe design, construction, and cultural significance. Illustrated throughout with her signature clean, technical line drawings, the work traces the evolution of the sandal, the boot, and the slipper across global civilizations. This 1948 first edition is prized by researchers for its expansive scope and Wilcox's ability to contextualize footwear within the broader movements of fashion and social status.

KEY FEATURES
+++ Visuals: Extensively illustrated with hundreds of detailed line drawings by the author, documenting specific historical specimens and period styles. 
+++ Binding: Original blue cloth; spine and front board feature silver-stamped titles. 
+++ Content: Chronological survey spanning Ancient Egypt to the 1940s; includes a comprehensive Glossary of terms and a Bibliography for further study. 
+++ Imprint: Charles Scribner’s Sons, New York. 1948. First Edition, First Printing. 
+++ Specs: 11 inches tall; 190 pages.

CONDITION — Very Good- Bindings are tight and square. The blue cloth shows moderate shelf handling wear, with some light rubbing to the boards and a notable fray at the top spine band. Internally, the text and illustrations are clean and bright, with only light, even age-toning consistent with its age. No dust jacket. A solid, internally superior reference copy.

SCHOLARLY FEATURES
+++ Technical Illustration: Wilcox's drawings are celebrated for their accuracy in depicting heel height, toe shape, and fastening mechanisms, serving as a primary resource for theatrical designers and historical recreators.
+++ Linguistic Resource: The included glossary provides precise terminology for 19th and early 20th-century shoemaking, essential for cataloging period attire.

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE —
Ruth Turner Wilcox was the fashion editor of Women’s Wear Daily before dedicating her career to costume history. 'The Mode in Footwear' was published during the post-WWII era of renewed interest in luxury and style history. It remains a foundational text in the "Mode" series, bridging the gap between artistic fashion plates and technical historical research.

SUBJECTS: Fashion History, Footwear Design, Shoemaking, R. Turner Wilcox, Costume History, Material Culture, Reference, Illustrated Books, Fashion & Design.

Item #21733

Price: $45.00