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English village cobbler makes shoes for the Pope. An Englishman makes the Popes shoes
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English village cobbler makes shoes for the Pope. An Englishman makes the Popes shoes
English village cobbler makes shoes for the Pope.
An Englishman makes the Popes shoes. He is Mr William Brett, the village cobbler at Wonersh, near Guildford, Surrey.
One day, Dr Banfield of the Roman Catholic seminary in the village, asked Mr Brett if he would make some shoes for the Pope. The shoes had to be of special design like monks, but with two straps. The seams were inlaid with gold braid and the heel was covered in gold. A gold cross was inlaid in the toe.
All the embroidery work was also done in the village. Mr Brett family have been shoemakers at Wonersh, the nearly 200 years.
Photo shows, Mr William Brett at work in his shop at Wonersh, Surrey.
13 January 1938
TopFoto independent historic photographs and images all subjects and eras
Media ID 11006894
© TopFoto.co.uk
Press Press Photography Planet News
EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures the remarkable story of an English village cobbler who had the honor of making shoes for none other than the Pope himself. Mr William Brett, a skilled shoemaker from Wonersh, Surrey, was approached by Dr Banfield of the local Roman Catholic seminary with this extraordinary request. The shoes crafted by Mr Brett were no ordinary footwear. They were designed to resemble those worn by monks, featuring two straps and exquisite gold braid inlaid seams. The heel was adorned with a lavish covering of gold while a delicate gold cross graced the toe. Every intricate detail was meticulously executed right in his humble shop at Wonersh. Not only did Mr Brett create these magnificent shoes, but all the embroidery work required for their embellishment was also skillfully done within his village. It is worth noting that shoemaking ran deep in Mr Brett's family as they have been honing this craft in Wonersh for nearly two centuries. This photograph transports us back to 13th January 1938 when it was taken during a time between wars. Its monochrome composition adds depth and nostalgia to this historic moment captured by Planet News photographers from TopFoto. co. uk. As we admire this image, we are reminded of how artistry transcends boundaries and connects people across continents through shared craftsmanship and appreciation for beauty.
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