Historical information

This item is one of a collection of clothing items that belonged to the Stephenson family who lived at 22 McCracken Street, Kensington, Melbourne.
Matthew Stephenson (1861 – 1943) who had grown up on the Bendigo goldfields and shifted to Melbourne in the early 1900’s was a train driver and later, a fireman with the railways. His wife Elizabeth Jane (Betsy) Wigley (1865 – 1953) also grew up on the goldfields around Majorca and Bendigo. They married in 1885 in Bendigo. They had two daughters – Ethel Evelyn Stephenson (1886 – 1956) and Lillian or Lila (1891 – 1977) who were milliners and dressmakers and who continued to live in the family home after the death of their parents. The family are recorded as living at 22 McCracken Street, Kensington, as early as 1914. It is not known who made or owned the clothing that makes up this collection but as it appears to be from the late Victorian and early Edwardian era, the different pieces were probably made and worn by any of the three ladies of the house – Betsy, Ethel and/or Lila.
During W.W.2, a local Warrnambool couple (Meryl and Tony Everard) boarded with them – Tony was in the airforce training paratroopers to jump into (and survive) enemy territory and his wife Meryl worked in the Methodist baby Home. The Everards developed a close friendship with the Stephensons and were responsible for clearing out the house (and finding this clothing collection) after Lila died in 1977.


Starting in around 1850, women began wearing boots that resembled the ones already worn by men in high society. Victorian women's boots were slightly more feminine in nature, however, than those worn by their male counterparts. The boots first worn by women extended to the middle of the calf so that her ankle would stay properly covered underneath her many skirts. These boots often featured laces or a row of buttons to keep them secure to the foot and ankle. Although usually made from durable materials like rubber and leather, boots that were worn purely for fashion were sometimes made of more elegant materials like patent leather or dyed suede.
Edwardian boots were lace up or button up. The most remarkable thing about women's shoes in the 1920's was that they were visible! This led to an increase in demand for new styles every season which made ordering custom fit shoes a thing of the past. New shoes were made in standard sizes, ready to buy from local clothing stores or mail order catalogues. Working women, however, tended to wear sensible, lace up shoes and boots.
These boots appear to be of a practical nature, designed for comfort, warmth, and proof against the rain and mud, rather than high fashion. They feature the brand name "adler" printed on the inner sole and have stamped letters and numbers suggesting ready-made sizes.

Significance

This pair of boots are a significant example of a working woman's footwear dating around the early 20th century.

Physical description

Pair of lady's black leather, lace up boots featuring 3.75 cm heels, 14 pairs of lacing eyelets, a black leather tongue and black shoelaces. The leather soles have tacks on the heels and near the instep. The boots have a black leather inner sole and the inner shaft and upper part of the boots are lined with a durable cotton type fabric. Both boots have ink markings (handwritten and stamped) at the top of the shaft lining and the inner sole of the left hand boot is labelled "adler".

Inscriptions & markings

Both boots - "0/128 /X" (handwritten) and "6MC200" (stamped).
Left boot inner sole - "adler"
left boot upper shaft lining - "X/8FH?" (handwritten)