HOW TO – Bronzing baby’s shoes Mechanix Illustrated, 1949 –
IT is said that the electroplating of baby shoes was conceived when a Scotchman saw a suit of armor during a visit to his ancestral home. Nowadays the “metalizing†of baby’s first shoes is reaching an astonishing popularity, based mostly on the permanence given such articles when they are protected against time with a coating of metal. Copper is the metal most commonly used, and it is enduring enough in itself, but for further protection and attractiveness the encasement of copper may be plated over with gold, silver or nickel. The electroplated shoes are stiff and rigid and may be displayed mounted or unmounted as permanent keepsakes.
Almost all kinds of baby shoes may be plated, including those with soft soles, creepers, and even knitted “shoes.â€
Does any maker out there still do this?
6 thoughts on “HOW TO – Bronzing baby’s shoes”
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Just to make sure you know since this tends to irritate most of us.
Tape is Scotch
Whiskey is Scotch
People from Scotland are Scots.
Men from Scotland are Scotsmen.
The author of the article sorta lumps the two together, but there are two steps being described in the article.
The first where the shoe is being coated with copper is called electroforming, or more technically electrodeposition of copper.
When that substrate is coated with another metal, be it silver, gold, chrome etc… that is electroplating.
Yes there are makers still doing it. I’m currently working on good sized art piece that is going to be electroformed.
@E in MD-
Thanks for the clarification! I have screwed this one up myself a few times, butno more!
Please note- Phillip was quoting the article, as it can be read in the picture.