 n 1987 Chris Schreiber and NJ Sekela were fortunate enough to have visited the collection of Don Troiani. Among the items were a pair of canvas and leather shoes worn by a pvt Yeagerson. At the time, Mr. Sekela had taken photographs and Mr. Schreiber took rough drawings of the shoes. (see link below) |
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At the time, these shoes were unknown to those in the living history field and were looked forward to with great anticipation. In the span of time, there have been reproductions offered, styled after the Yeagerson pair.
NJ Sekela has begun a limited production of these shoes copying many of the details which were noted on the originals, such as the brass eyelets and raw edged muslin lining. The shoes themselves are somewhat elusive in terms of their origin. In his newly released book, Don Troiani's REGIMENTS & UNIFORMS OF THE CIVIL WAR, Mr. Troiani noted documenation of the term zouave shoes. |
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| Notes taken on the scene by Chris Schreiber on the trip with NJ Sekela. | |||||||||||||||||||
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| Reproduction by NJ Sekela, soon to be offered by Jersey Skilletlicker | |||||||||||||||||||
| A trade card has recently surfaced from a Washington boot and shoe merchant, which has written on the reverse the words canvas shoes in period handwriting. As an aside, the card also mentions servants' brogans and boots suitable for Farm and House purposes.
Far more photographic evidence of these shoes survive than actual examples. Alfred Bellard of the 5th New Jersey infantry is pictured in them, as was Col. Baxter of the 72 Pennsylvania infantry. We are very grateful to Don Troiani for taking time out of his busy schedule and sharing these tremendously rare artifacts. |
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| Original Yeagerson shoes courteosy of the Don Troiani collection, showing more detail than subsequently pictured in Echoes of Glory. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Interior view of top of leather reinforcment, with muslin lining folded back and canvas uppers not extened to end of leather collar, thus reducing bulk. Also of note are the metal eyelets and machine stiching. | |||||||||||||||||||
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| Rear view and sole of shoes, showing backstrap and foxing. | |||||||||||||||||||