IMPROVEMENTS IN BOOTS AND SHOES
Year: 1875

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles Soper, of Basingstoke, Hants, Boot &
Shoe Manufacturer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN BOOTS
AND SHOES."
Scaled the 4th February 1876, and dated the 6th August 1875.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Charles Soper at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
6th August 1875.
I, CHARLES SOPER, of Basingstoke, Hants, Boot & Shoe Manu-
facturer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN BOOTS AND SHOES," to be as follows :-
:-
My Invention consists of a novel mode of cutting out the leather
uppers of boots and shoes and of fastening them with a strap and
buckle, thereby dispensing with the elastic side spring commonly used
in boots and shoes.
The quarter of the boot is cut or divided from end to end, and the

page_text: front is made in the form of a tongue. When the foot has been inserted
into the boot the two sides of the quarter are brought together, and the
tongue is caused to cover the opening. Two rings are attached to the
sides of the boot over the ankle part, and in front of the upper is a loop.
Two narrow straps are attached to the tongue which pass through the
hooks and loop, and one strap is passed round half of the boot and the
other passed over the other half, meeting at one side of the boot where
there is a buckle, which secures the strapping tightly round the ankle of
the boot and gives a firm footing to the wearer.
To suit the convenience of the wearer the strap may be buckled up
tight, or give as much play as may be desired. The tongue entirely
covers the opening so that water cannot penetrate. This boot admits of
being easily put on and off, and the absence of clastic side springs,
which are for numerous reasons objectionable, renders them peculiarly
agrecable to many wearers.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Charles Soper in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 5th February 1876.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, CHARLES
SOPER, of Basingstoke, Hants, Boot and Shoe Manufacturer, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Sixth day of August, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-five, in the thirty-
ninth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said Charles Soper, Her special license
that I, the said Charles Soper, my executors, administrators, and assigns,
or such others as I, the said Charles Soper, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others,
from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term therein
expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend,
within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel
Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN BOOTS AND

page_text: SHOES," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Charles
Soper, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing
under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly
describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed
in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Charles Soper, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement thereof, that is to say:-
My Invention consists of a novel mode of cutting out the leather
uppers of boots and shoes and of fastening them with a strap and buckle,
thereby dispensing with the elastic side spring commonly used in boots
and shoes.
The quarter of the boot is cut or divided from end to end, and the
front is made in the form of a tongue. When the foot has been inserted
into the boot the two sides of the quarter are brought together, and the
tongue is caused to cover the opening. Two rings are attached to the
sides of the boot over the ankle part, and in front of the upper is a loop.
Two narrow straps are attached to the tongue which pass through the
hooks and loop, and one strap is passed round half of the boot, and the
other passed over the other half, meeting at one side of the boot where
there is a buckle, which secures the strapping tightly round the ankle
of the boot and gives a firm footing to the wearer.
To suit the convenience of the wearer the strap may be buckled up
tight or give as much play as may be desired. The tongue entirely
covers the opening so that water cannot penetrate. This boot admits of
being easily put on and off, and the absence of elastic side springs,
which are for numerous reasons objectionable, renders them peculiarly
agreeable to many wearers.
In lieu of two straps I sometimes use only one, the quarters and
tongue are then cut and made in the same manner, as hercin-before
described, and in the side of the boot (on the tongue) I insert two
fastenings or clasps, one graduated so as to admit of play, and the strap

page_text: ABRIC GUITough a caten or loop, and may be secured
by a buckle or other fastening.
In witness whereof, I, the said Charles Soper, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Fifth day of February, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.
CHARLES SOPER. (L.S.)