Bootjack c. 1939

Here is a drawing of a metal bootjack, by Claude Marshall. The bootjack itself would have been manufactured from cast iron, a material strong enough to withstand repeated use, as people leverage their weight against it to remove their boots. It is interesting to consider the means of production of this common household object. While it is difficult to say exactly when this bootjack was made, it speaks to a time when goods were made in multiples, but not necessarily with the same degree of automation we see today. The decorative details suggest it may have been made using a mold, a process which would have required skilled labor. The bootjack represents a collision of industry and design, and reveals much about the social history of labor and consumption. The maker may have taken pride in the artistry of the design as much as its utility. Ultimately, understanding this seemingly simple object requires considering the confluence of materials, making, and the cultural context in which it was produced.