A WHITCHURCH antiques dealer discovered a ‘wild west’ surprise in a 100-year old pair of child’s shoes found in a house in the region.
Janet Proudlove, who runs Age of Elegance on the High Street, came across a letter, hidden inside one of the shoes, which explained their origins in North America.
The tiny moccasins, made in the Native American style, were given to their previous
owner by his uncle who had emigrated there in the early 20th century.
The fascinating note, written by the uncle with a prairie theme, had accompanied the
shoes, which were sent to the Nantwich man when he was a baby.
With the shoes, there is also a very small pair of gloves which were also a transatlantic gift.
Mrs Proudlove, who intends to keep the unusual find, said:
“They belonged to a gentleman from Nantwich and were found in the house after
he died."
“His uncle had moved to America. The gloves were sent to him when he was born and the moccasins were sent for his first Christmas."
“He was well his 90s when he passed away so there is some age to them. I’ve never seen a pair of gloves so small.”
The folded note, which has yellowed with age, had remained in the shoe for almost a century.
It reads like a typical 'Boy’s Own' story of the 1920s and reflects the style of the shoes themselves.
“From the Western land beyond the big black water I look to the lands of the people
I left many months ago. For gift I send these moccasins to comfort thy foot on the trail and the warpath.”
The letter also illustrates the sense of humour of its author who, writing to his nephew in Cheshire, included the line:
“May the buffalo be full in the hunting grounds of your fathers."