James Branch and Sons

1957

of Kingsthorpe, Northampton. (1922)

of Kingsthorpe, Northampton and 19/23 Bethnal Green Road, London, E. Telephone: Northampton 139 and Bishopsgate 1489. (1929)

1922 Listed Exhibitor - British Industries Fair. Manufacturers of "Bective" Footwear - in all materials for all markets - high and medium grades. Gents' and Ladies' Welted; Ladies' Machine-sewn and Hand-sewn Pumps. (Stand No. J.78) ^[1]

1929 Listed Exhibitor - British Industries Fair. Manufacturers of High Class Ladies' and Men's Footwear, in all materials, Welted, Machine Sewn, Louis Heel [1], Turn Shoes [2], etc. Special Models and Shapes for all Markets. (Stand No. R.85) ^[2]

Note:
- [1] Louis Heels - Around 1660, a shoemaker named Nicholas Lestage designed high heeled shoes for Louis XIV. Some were more than four inches, and most were decorated in various battle scenes. The resulting high "Louis heels" subsequently became fashionable for ladies. Today the term is used to refer to heels with a concave curve and outward taper at the bottom similar to those worn by Madame de Pompadour, Louis XV's mistress. (They are also sometimes called "Pompadour heels.") ^[4]
- [2] Turn shoes are stitched together inside-out. The leather is then soaked with water, and they are turned right-side-to. Hence the name "turn" shoes. ^[5]

Sources of Information