IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF BOOTS AND SHOES, ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER ARTICLES
Year: 1855

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Searby, of 154, Sloane Street, Chelsea, in
the County of Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
MANUFACTURE OF BOOTS AND SHOES, ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER ARTICLES
Sealed the 24th July 1855, and dated the 26th January 1855.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Searby at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 26th
January 1855.
İ, GEORGE SEARBY, of 154, Sloan Street, Chelsea, in the County of Middle-
sex, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE MANUFACTURE OF BOOTS AND SHOES, ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER ARTICLES
MADE OF OR PARTLY FORMED OF LEATHER," to be as follows:-
My Invention consists of making boots and shoes to fit the shape of the foot
and ankle without seams, the sole being attached to the upper leather in the
usual or any convenient manner. I prefer taking the leather previous to its
being curried than afterwards. I saturate it perfectly with water or other
fluid, and placing it upon a last or block, either an ordinary one, or capable of
being removed in two or more pieces. I stretch and curry the leather upon
the last, so that the softened leather is worked or moulded to the required

page_text: shape, and, drawing the leather partly over the sole of the last or block, it may
be fastened by tacks or pins; I let it remain until it is curried and perfectly
dry; on removal it will then retain the shape given to it. I make the leather
more pliable, or fit to be moulded or shaped, by shaving or cutting off the
external surface of the leather or cuticle of the skin, rendering it less liable to
get hard or to crack from exposure or use. I cut a slit or opening for the
ankle in the leather at the top of the last, and can sole the boot or shoe pre-
vious to removing the upper leather. I place a mackintosh or gutta percha
lining between the lining of the sole and of the upper leather, extending only
slightly upwards. I propose also, for dress, or for ladies' boots or shoes, to emboss
the leather in any pattern, cut or sunk in the surface of a mould, made of
metal, wood, or suitable material, sorrounding the last or block; or I have a
slightly raised surface or pattern upon the surface of the last itself, using any
required pressure in either process. I also enamel or varnish the leather
whilst upon the last or block, keeping the last in motion or revolution until
the enamel is dried or baked. It is evident my improvements are applicable
to other purposes where it is an advantage to have articles made of leather
seamless. I claim the making boots and shoes and other leathern articles
seamless, and embossing and enamelling or varnishing them in the manner
described, as being more economical and rendering them more durable.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said George Searby in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
25th July 1855.
"
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, GEORGE
SEARBY, of 154, Sloane Street, Chelsea, in the County of Middlesex, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-sixth day of January, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-five, in the eighteenth year of Her
reigu, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said George Searby, Her special licence that I, the said George Searby,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said
George Searby, my executors, administrators, 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

page_text: vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel
Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANU-
FACTURE OF BOOTS AND SHOES, ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER ARTICLES MADE OF OR
PARTLY FORMED OF LEATHER," upon the condition (amongst others) that I,
the said George Searby, by an instrument in writing under my hand and
seal, 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 George Searby, do hereby declare the
nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by, the following
statement (that is to say) :-
My Invention consists of making boots and shoes to fit the shape of the foot
and ankle without seams, the sole being attached to the upper leather in any
convenient manner. I take the leather previous to being curried or after-
wards, and saturate it perfectly with water, or a solution of soda in water or
other fluid, placing it upon either an ordinary last or block, or one capable of
being removed in two or more pieces. I stretch and curry the skin or leather
upon the last, so that it is softened, and worked or moulded to the required
shape, and draw it partly over the sole of the last or block, and fasten it by
tacks or pins. Whether I use uncurried skin or leather, I let it remain until
it is perfectly dry, and when removed it will retain its shape. I place a
mackintosh, gutta percha, or waterproof lining between the lining of the sole
and of the upper leather, extending only slightly upwards, and make the leather
more pliable by shaving or cutting off the external surface or the cuticle of the
skin, rendering it less liable to get hard or crack from exposure or use. I also
cut a slit or opening in the leather at the top of the last forming the ankle, and
sole the boot or shoe previous to removing the upper leather. I emboss the
leather in any pattern (for ladies', or dress boots and shoes), cut or slightly
sunk in the surface of a mould, made of metal, wood, or suitable substance,
surrounding the last or block; or I can accomplish this by having a raised
surface upon the block or last itself, using any required pressure in either
process. I also enamel or varnish the leather whilst upon the last or block,
taking care to keep the last in motion or revolution during the time the
enamel is baking or being dried. I keep the last or lasts in revolution by any
simple mechanical contrivance, such as fixing it or them to a revolving shaft,
or place them in or upon a revolving cylinder; in any case the process of
baking being carried on or effected at a proper temperature in a heated oven

page_text: or room, as it is usually done. It is evident my improvements are applicable
to other purposes where it is an advantage to have articles made of or partly
formed of leather seamless, such as, for instance, boys' or men's caps, bathing
caps, sponge bags, dress preservers, leather goloshes, dishes, cups, and similar
useful or ornamental articles, in the manufacture of which the principle and
means adopted are similar to those herein-before fully described and ascer-
tained in my improvements in making boots and shoes.
Having thus described the nature and particulars of my said Invention, and
the means of carrying it into practical effect, I desire it to be distinctly under-
stood that I do not confine myself to the exact details thereof to produce
seamless articles made of or partly formed of leather; but I claim the general
principles thereof, as herein set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Searby, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, the Twenty-fourth day of July, One thousand eight
hundred and fifty-five.
GEORGE SEARBY. (L.S.)
Signed, sealed, and delivered by the within-
named George Searby, in the presence of
WILLIAM HENRY YOUNG,
Patent Agent,
123, Chancery Lane.