Whimsical Walker Clown Shoes

These clown shoes are 44.4cm (17 ½ in.) long and have stiff, leather uppers nailed onto wooden soles. They have flat, square toes and are ankle high with 5 eyelets for the laces. Because of their straight shape and unusual length one sole has been marked “left”. They were worn by Thomas Dawson Walker who became a clown at the age of 10 and first appeared as the Whimsical Walker in 1865.

Northampton Museums