A blog devoted to Richard Bordwell and Michael Bordwell. Two wood carving artisans known as The Whittler and Chip.

Monday, April 18, 2022

Some New Shoes Emerged

It's been a quite couple years, with everyone dealing with the covid epidemic and so forth.  I hope everyone is staying safe and health.  I recently received an email from Lindsey sharing a nice story regarding a pair of shoes with an unusual signature on them.

She writes, "I have a nice story you may enjoy about what I believe are shoes carved by your father or grandfather. My grandmother passed away from cancer 2 years ago at age 93 and among her things were a pair of carved wooden shoes. She made a point of sitting my mom down and telling her their story.

My grandmother had lived in England for 10 years starting in the late 1960's and developed a very close friendship with a woman there. When she returned to the US she bought the shoes as a pair and sent one to her best friend overseas. More than 40 years later when her best friend passed away the friend's daughter carefully packed the shoe up and returned it to my grandmother to be a part of the pair again. For a long time, my own best friend was living in Germany and I had decided to mail one of the shoes to her, but then a sudden change of plans had her move back to the US before I got a chance.  I'm holding onto them for the right circumstance to separate the pair again."

What a nice story.  Exciting to hear some have traveled to Europe.  Usually my grandfather would sign his The Whittler and my father would sign his Chip.  So it's interesting so see them signed Bordwell.  First one I've seen this way.  She's shared these pictures.  Thanks Lindsey!