Shoe

Pair of women's shoes made in Paris by the firm Gradelle Junior, and imported into England by Marsh. Although the labels reads that marsh is in madistone, the company was also based at 240 Tottenham Court Roadin 1836 around the time the shoes were made; at 148 Oxford Street, 1838-77; at 324 Oxford Street in 1887; and in 1888 became Marsh & Moore, moving in 1904 to 292 Regent Street, remaining until 1911.

The shoes have uppers made from black boarded leather, with a leather sole. The top edge is bound with narrow braid with a drawstring at the throat. A long, narrow, one piece black silk ribbon is attached at each side of the instep, near the side seam. the toe is square and slightly curved toe, and there is no heel. The straight soles do not have much wear on them and have not been worn outdoors. The nail holes are in a pattern of +2+1 , with '36' stampedover '26' at the toe and '21' at the waist. The vamp is cut medium with a square throat; one piece quarters; straight side seams, and two rows of stitching. The back section is lined with white kid and the vamp with natural cotton. The sock is made of white kid and both socks are inscribed '36' over '26'. There are three labels inside one shoe: 1) under Royal Arms, 'MARSH/MAKER/& Importer of/French/BOOTS & SHOES/6 Middle Row/High Street/MAIDSTONE'; 2) '136/Regent Street/GRADELLE Jior/Successor of RENAULT/&/DUMAS/From Paris/LONDON'; 3) 'Droit'; other shoe labelled 'Gauche'.