This Joseph Box shoemaking archive comes from an important collection of footwear and shoemaking objects thought to have been initiated by the London shoemaker, Robert Dixon Box, and consolidated by his son, Joseph Box and the Box Kingham family during the second half of the 1800s. The collection ranges from remnants of leather shoes from the Middle Ages found in English archaeological sites, to intact European shoes from the 1600s onwards, 'foreign' shoes collected as 'curiosities' from around the world, shoe buckles, spurs and snuff boxes, as well as company documents relating to Joseph Box Ltd.

The Joseph Box shoe company was an important London shoemaking business established in 1808 by a 'ladies shoemaker' called James Sly. From 1816 Sly's apprentice was Robert Dixon Box, the fifteen-year-old son of a bankrupted Quaker attorney. Box became manager of the business when Sly died in 1826, subsequently attaining a reputation for fine shoemaking through participation at international exhibitions and by obtaining Royal Warrants. The business became known as Joseph Box Ltd in 1862 after it was transferred to Robert's son, Joseph. Like his father, Joseph started in the trade at the age of 15, but retired at the relatively early age of 42 to enable his daughters to enter society. Although he transferred the business to his cousins the Box Kinghams in 1882, Joseph maintained an active interest in shoemaking through collecting. Some of the shoes in the collection feature a remarkable 20 stitches to the centimetre exemplifying the attention to detail and quality of workmanship Joseph Box shoes became renowned for. At the end of the century the business was later taken over by royal shoemakers Gundry & Sons, which was itself taken over by John Lobb Ltd some time after 1953.

The Joseph Box collection provides a unique insight into footwear history, demonstrating how changes in contemporary attitudes, needs and etiquette directly affected shoe design. It also reveals the fine skills of shoemakers as well as the impact of scientific developments and technological innovations on the materials and construction methods.

Reference:
Mitchell, Louise, with Lindie Ward, 'Stepping out: three centuries of shoes', Powerhouse Publishing, Sydney, 1997

This Joseph Box shoemaking archive is part of the Museum's significant Joseph Box collection. Joseph Box Ltd had its origins in a London shoemaking business established in 1808 by a 'ladies shoemaker' called James Sly. From 1816 Sly's apprentice was Robert Dixon Box, the fifteen-year-old son of a bankrupted Quaker attorney. Box was to become manager of the business when Sly died in 1826, and gained a reputation for fine shoemaking through its participation at international exhibitions and by obtaining Royal Warrants. The business became known as Joseph Box Ltd in 1862 after it was transferred to Robert's son, Joseph. Like his father, Joseph started in the trade at the age of 15, but retired at the relatively early age of 42 to enable his daughters to enter society. Although he transferred the business to his cousins the Box Kinghams in 1882, Joseph maintained an active interest in shoemaking through collecting. At the end of the century the business was later taken over by royal shoemakers Gundry & Sons, which was itself taken over by John Lobb Ltd some time after 1953.

The collection acquired by the Museum in 1942 was probably started by Robert Dixon and consolidated by Joseph Box and the Box Kinghams during the second half of the 1800s. It includes remnants of leather shoes from the Middle Ages found in English archaeological sites, intact European shoes from the 1600s onwards, 'foreign' shoes collected as 'curiosities' from around the world, shoe buckles and spurs, as well as documents relating to Joseph Box Ltd.

Footwear scholar, June Swann, former Keeper of the Boot and Shoe Collection at the Northampton Museum in England was invited to catalogue this very significant collection in 1993. A large selection was subsequently featured in the Museum's 1997 exhibition and accompanying publication 'Stepping out: three centuries of shoes'.

REF:
Mitchell, Louise, with Lindie Ward, 'Stepping out: three centuries of shoes', Powerhouse Publishing, Sydney, 1997

Joseph Box Ltd had its origin when James Sly, Ladies Shoemaker, began business at 2 Union Street, Bond Street London in 1808. The Box relationship to the business began with the apprenticeship of Robert Box to James Sly, in 1816. In 1824 Sly moved the business to 187 Regent Street and Robert Box became Sly's right hand man. Following Sly's death in 1826 Robert was made manager of the business by the Executors of Sly's estate. The business continued to trade under the Sly name until 1832 when it was purchased by Robert Box.

At the end of 1861, Robert, aged 60, transferred the business to his son Joseph Box. The business continued to trade from 187 Regent Street. Joseph retired about 1882, aged 42, leaving the business to his cousins, the Box Kinghams, who continued to trade as Joseph Box. It seems, however, that Joseph Box continued to be involved with the company for some years after organising various exhibitions under the Joseph Box name.

The Joseph Box company had a number of Royal Warrants of Appointment in its possession. These included: H.M. the Queen, 1837; H.R.H. Princess of Wales 1866; H.R.H. The Crown Princess of Prussia, 1869; H.H. The Maharanee Duleep Singh, 1874; H.R.H the Duke of Edinburgh, 1874 & 1886; Princess Louis of Hesse, 1874; and H.R.H. The Empress Fredrick, 1888. It also won Jurors Medals, given to Robert Box, in the 1851 and 1862 Exhibitions.

After a number of changes of address Joseph Box Ltd ended up at 61 Grosvenor St. It was taken over in the 1940s by John Lobb Ltd, which continued to use the Joseph Box name until the mid 1950s.

Archive, shoemaking, Joseph Box Ltd, London, England, 1868-1923

This archive of Joseph Box, court shoemaker of London, consists of correspondence and scrapbooks concerning Box's exhibitions of boots and shoes, 1889 and 1921; printed catalogues of Box's and other manufacturers' shoes, 1883-c1910; drawings of shoes, c1898; and books and magazines relating to shoes, 1868-1917.

Made: Joseph Box Ltd; England; 1868 - 1923

93/411/1

1868 - 1923