Object of the Day

Sammy Davis Jr.'s Tap Shoes

December 8

These child's tap shoes were worn by Sammy Davis Jr. (December 08, 1925 – May 16, 1990) when he traveled the vaudeville circuit as part of the Will Mastin Trio.

Tap shoes used by Sammy Davis Jr.

Description
This pair of child's tap shoes were used by Sammy Davis Jr. when he travelled the vaudeville circuit as part of the Will Mastin Trio. The shoes have black leather uppers and close across the center front over a split vamp with a tongue using black cotton shoelaces tipped with plastic or leather aglets. The leather outsoles are machine stitched to the midsole and the uppers as in a welted shoe. Rubber heels are adhered to the soles. Stamped onto the bottom of the heels is a "W" inside of a shield with the word "WINDSOR" below the shield. Metal toe taps are nailed to the outsole and metal heel taps are nailed to the rubber heel. The heel taps have an open area in the middle so that the manufacturer's mark can be seen on the rubber heel bottom.
Data Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Manufactured by
Windsor Shoe Company, American
Used by
Sammy Davis Jr., American, 1925 - 1990
Date
1938
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Medium
leather, rubber, cotton, and metal
Dimensions
H x W x D (Left (a) overall): 3 × 2 5/8 × 7 11/16 in. (7.6 × 6.7 × 19.5 cm)
H x W x D (Right (b) overall): 2 7/8 × 2 3/4 × 7 9/16 in. (7.3 × 7 × 19.2 cm)
Type
shoes (footwear)