 Blondin
Skates, around 1865 The photo makes clear that this is a common pair of club skates provided with luxurious provisions to fasten the skates to the boots. The heel bindings make them unusual however. The heel support consists of two parts: a heel plate and an ankle support. Both have been made of brass plate. The lower part is screwed to the platforms (detail 1b). The upper part is hinged to the lower part by means of a rivet and can move for- and backward but not sideward. Together they form a support for weak ankles or at acrobatic movements. Repairs at the support parts show the ankle supports have been heavily charged. These skates are called Blondin skates as they were patented by Mr. J.F. Blondin on October, 2 1860 (detail 1b and 1c). The patent regards the design of the ankle supports, not the skates. Blondin was a circus artist known from his escapades as a rope walker. With his acts he used stilts and it is likely he demanded the patent in connection to this. Equally possible is that the manufacturer obtained a right to use the patent as the runner blades mention a further patent. This patent was granted March, 17 1862 to Douglas Rogers (detail 1d, bottom line). Manufacturer: Douglas Rogers & C0., Norwich (CT), USA Mark: detail 1d Technical data: total length: 27 cm, total height: 24 cm; height over ice: 5 cm; platforms: 24 cm, 6.5 cm wide; runner blades: 15 mm tall, 6 mm thick; weight: 650 g |
detail 1a
detail 1b
detail 1c
detail 1d