Shoes Thru The Ages

St. Louis, Missouri: International Shoe Company, 1960. Very good. Small stain to foot of text block.. A booklet telling "The Story of Footwear", published by and advertising the International Shoe Company of St. Louis, Missouri. Provides an interesting historical overview of the importance of shoes, and their role in protection, folklore, and society. Focuses on shoes from different cultures ranging from Roman sandals to French chopines, American brass tipped boots, and more. Includes a brief section called "Shoe Oddities" with fun facts. Perpetuates racial stereotypes with an image of an Asian man with the caption "During a famine in 16th century China, many natives BOILED leather SHOES for hours and then ATE them!" (p.30). Overall, the booklet offers an interesting mixture of information, some of it culturally insensitive and some of it celebrating diversity. Single vol. (6.25" by 4.25"), pp. 36, illus., in original illus. wrps with illustration of dozens of people in different traditional costumes from different cultures around the world walking towards the viewer away from the Earth.