Edwin C. Burt
Encyclopedia
Edwin C. Burt was the owner of Edwin C. Burt & Co., a manufacturer of shoes, and director of the Hanover Insurance Company.
business, and moved the family to Hartford, Connecticut
in 1825 to work there.
in 1848 as the market in Hartford was too small. At this time Burt's brother, James, began working with him. The firm was officially founded in 1860, and primarily dealt with markets in the Southern United States
. When the Civil War
began in 1861, this business was effectively gone. Subsequently, the company began producing women's and children's shoes. In 1874, Burt patented an improvement he made to shoes. The patent described a new method of producing shoes that provides increased durability. The patent number was 146801 and was filed November 24, 1873. Burt's shoe company was especially known for its advertisements. A series of trade cards were produced in the 1880s for the company advertising their shoes. One such trade card featured children sitting in an over-sized shoe, shaped like a sailboat, with the caption "Edwin C. Burt, Fine Shoes". The trade cards also came with a warning to customers to check for stamps in his shoes, to ensure that they were genuine products. On August 10, 1898, the company assigned
its liabilities
over to a Thomas Cunningham of Blauvelt, New York
, estimated at $60,000.
for five weeks before succumbing. He died on May 23, 1884 in his home in Orange, New Jersey
.
Early life
Burt was born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1818. His father was in the leatherLeather
Leather is a durable and flexible material created via the tanning of putrescible animal rawhide and skin, primarily cattlehide. It can be produced through different manufacturing processes, ranging from cottage industry to heavy industry.-Forms:...
business, and moved the family to Hartford, Connecticut
Hartford, Connecticut
Hartford is the capital of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The seat of Hartford County until Connecticut disbanded county government in 1960, it is the second most populous city on New England's largest river, the Connecticut River. As of the 2010 Census, Hartford's population was 124,775, making...
in 1825 to work there.
Edwin C. Burt & Co.
In 1838, Burt began to produce boots and shoes with his father in Hartford. The business moved to New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
in 1848 as the market in Hartford was too small. At this time Burt's brother, James, began working with him. The firm was officially founded in 1860, and primarily dealt with markets in the Southern United States
Southern United States
The Southern United States—commonly referred to as the American South, Dixie, or simply the South—constitutes a large distinctive area in the southeastern and south-central United States...
. When the Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
began in 1861, this business was effectively gone. Subsequently, the company began producing women's and children's shoes. In 1874, Burt patented an improvement he made to shoes. The patent described a new method of producing shoes that provides increased durability. The patent number was 146801 and was filed November 24, 1873. Burt's shoe company was especially known for its advertisements. A series of trade cards were produced in the 1880s for the company advertising their shoes. One such trade card featured children sitting in an over-sized shoe, shaped like a sailboat, with the caption "Edwin C. Burt, Fine Shoes". The trade cards also came with a warning to customers to check for stamps in his shoes, to ensure that they were genuine products. On August 10, 1898, the company assigned
Assignment (law)
An assignment is a term used with similar meanings in the law of contracts and in the law of real estate. In both instances, it encompasses the transfer of rights held by one party—the assignor—to another party—the assignee...
its liabilities
Legal liability
Legal liability is the legal bound obligation to pay debts.* In law a person is said to be legally liable when they are financially and legally responsible for something. Legal liability concerns both civil law and criminal law. See Strict liability. Under English law, with the passing of the Theft...
over to a Thomas Cunningham of Blauvelt, New York
Blauvelt, New York
Blauvelt is a hamlet , formerly known as Greenbush and then Blauveltville, in the Town of Orangetown Rockland County, New York, United States located north of Tappan; east of Nauraushaun and Pearl River; south of Central Nyack and west of Orangeburg...
, estimated at $60,000.
Death
In 1884, Burt struggled with Bright's diseaseBright's disease
Bright's disease is a historical classification of kidney diseases that would be described in modern medicine as acute or chronic nephritis. The term is no longer used, as diseases are now classified according to their more fully understood causes....
for five weeks before succumbing. He died on May 23, 1884 in his home in Orange, New Jersey
Orange, New Jersey
The City of Orange is a city and township in Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 30,134...
.