Stick to Your Last: Shoemakers and Cobblers in the Georgian Satirical Print

Shoemakers and cobblers were frequently depicted in British visual satire in the Georgian period. While to a certain extent this provides a visual record of the shoe trades, this article explores the ways in which the medium of the satirical print used the figures of the shoemaker and the cobbler to make social and political points. A common expression from the time was “shoemaker, stick to your last”, suggesting that one should not venture opinions on matters beyond one’s sphere of expertise. This maxim was applied to shoe workers themselves, who had a reputation for learning and for involvement in radical politics. The depiction of cobblers in political situations such as discussion groups or election contests cast doubt on their ability to participate meaningfully in politics, suggesting that they should indeed stick to what they know. The article argues that this had conservative implications, at a time when political reformers were seeking to redraw the boundaries of citizenship.