Indian Moccasin Tape Measure on Postal Card #003
This shoe was in the original collection of Lillian P. Wood and was a 1959 acquisition, a gift from close friends, Bessie and Winnie Zeman. The Zemans frequently purchased gifts of miniature shoes for the collection.
This is a multi-purpose shoe. The moccasin is attached to a postal card which measures 3 1/8″ by 1 11/16″, and could be sent as is through the United States Post Office. The moccasin is made of very soft, natural color leather and is sewn with red decorative thread. The shoe doubled as a pin cushion and a tape measure. The tape measure is white cotton, retractable and measures to 36 inches with a marking on it - JAPAN. The tape measure is pulled by a metal tab located on the right side of the heel. The pin cushion is extremely dense and covered with a cordedmaterial which has never been used as a pin cushion.
The postal card reads “This can be mailed anywhere as it is without wrapping or folding” PLACE POSTAGE HERE made in Japan. There are spaces for to and from addresses. Lillian Wood wrote “Winnie and Bessie Zeman July 1 - 1959″ on the card. The postage rate to mail this card (and also letters) in the States was 3 cents at that time.
This photograph shows the moccasin slightly larger than it is.
A close-up of the simple hand beading and hand stitching. This moccasin was made in Japan and beads of minimal quality and pattern compared with decorative moccasins hand constructed in the United States.
This is the back of the postal card. It reads INDIAN MOCCASIN TAPE-MEASURE Just pull me out and you will know ~ I’m a tape measure and hold pins to sew.
This type of postal card is unusual, and then to have a miniature shoe attached is extra-ordinary for a collector. I have only seen four of these postal cards in 15 years scouting antique stores, etc. and I do have a second card with an attached cowboy boot. Since the above shoe has a fully functioning retractable tape measure and unused pin cushion, it’s value is estimated between $50 and $65 dollars.
Sorry if it’s not a politically correct shoe. It’s 50 years old. It’s an old thing. It doesn’t know any better. But I do. I apologize now if it offends anyone. That is not the intention of this post.
