Choice Cuts 06

An Old Boy At Work. Newsletter No. 29, 6th September 1972

To continue our series of interesting and in some cases, quite curious careers we turn to a small firm of Bespoke Shoemakers in W.1., where a former well-known pupil now carries out his duties as a Director of James Taylor & Son. Peter Schweiger at the age of 26 is part of a twelve man team making shoes to order and they have such names on their books as the Marchioness of Exeter, Judge Argyle, R.A. Butler and Desmond Plummer. The late King of the Belgians even placed his size 9's in their capable hands.

They have two shoemakers, both of Polish origin, who can produce about five pairs of bespoke shoes a week which with the work involved can cost about £35. a pair. The actual process from when the last-maker makes his last from a drawing of the foot, until the customer picks up the end product can take up to three months, which on the face of it, is quite a short time when you think that the majority of the shoes that are manufactured by them have a life span of some 15 - 20 years. Peter reckons this is the normal age for such shoes if looked after properly. Quote "The thing is to have three or four pairs, make sure they are well polished, keep them on trees and wear them in rotation". Something both the Rugby and Football teams could note. To show the strength of their durability a pair made in 1932 are still going strong and one customer wore to his recent silver wedding, the same pair which were ordered for his wedding. (No there wasn't a long waiting list).

It is interesting to note the fate of a shoemaking apprentice at the end of the last century who was not allowed to marry until his five years were up, nor play at cards or the dice table, haunt taverns or "absent himself from his master's service day or night unlawfully". All this for a starting wage of 1/- a week.

Well, now an established firm, James Taylor & Son's future seems fruitful as Peter says "We have five people of my age working here so we should be able to keep going for another 40 years at least".

Any orders through me please, money in advance, 'cos I'm on 5%.