Identity area
Reference code
2023.4.1
Title
Munari for Lillywhite's Boots
Date(s)
- undated [1940-1959] (Creation)
Level of description
Item
Extent and medium
2 [1 pair]
Context area
Name of creator
(1960 -)
Biographical history
Specialising in footwear, the first retail store opened in Gallio, Italy in 1960. They now sell sportswear, trekking equipment, accessories and hire out all weather sports equipment.
Name of creator
(1863 -)
Biographical history
Lillywhites is the brand name for a store in London’s Piccadilly that historically produced and sold sporting goods and clothing. It was established by a family of cricketers in the mid-nineteenth century. Frederick William Lillywhite (1792–1854) began selling cricket gear and equipment and publishing a handbook of cricket. Members of his family opened a store selling cricketing goods on London’s Haymarket in 1863, the premises moving to Piccadilly in 1925. He was in partnership with George William Frowd (d. 1914) who carried on the business from 1873. The company name appeared to undergo a number of variations: James Lillywhite, Frowd, and Co. (1873–1919); Lillywhite Frowds (Haymarket) Ltd (liquidated in 1923); Lillywhite Frowd Sports Goods Ltd (liquidated in 1974); and Lillywhite Frowd Retail Ltd. Through the twentieth century, advertising for the company used the brand name ‘Lillywhites’ and referred to Lillywhites Ltd. At the British Industries Fair of 1922, they were listed as manufacturers of a wide range of sports equipment, including for lawn tennis, football, cricket, golf, hockey and croquet; the 1947 Fair listing added gymnasium apparatus and swimming pool equipment among other items. In 2002 the company was acquired by Mike Ashley’s firm Sports World International from Jerónimo Martins, and subsequently lost its Royal Warrant in 2003. The Piccadilly store is still branded as Lillywhites but is run as a branch of Ashley’s Sports Direct chain.
Sources: The London Gazette; Grace’s Guide to British Industrial History; The Sunday Telegraph; The Guardian.
Sources: The London Gazette; Grace’s Guide to British Industrial History; The Sunday Telegraph; The Guardian.
Repository
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Heavy, black, leather, hiking boots. Boots are ankle high with square toes. At the front are five sets of hooked eyelets [often referred to as ‘speed hooks'] and a single pair of eyelets at the ankle through which laces can be threaded [missing]. Boots have rubber soles with metal at the toe which enables skis to be worn.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Conditions governing reproduction
Language of material
Script of material
Language and script notes
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Label: La Scapa / Hand Made in Italy / by / Munari Cornuda / For / Lillywhites of London
Materials: Leather
Measurements: 29 [Length]; 17cm [Height]
Details: Rubber soles
Physical Condition: Good - some wear to leather around ankle area
Materials: Leather
Measurements: 29 [Length]; 17cm [Height]
Details: Rubber soles
Physical Condition: Good - some wear to leather around ankle area