Boy's Boot, Massachusetts, ca. 1850. Maine State Museum, 81.19.89.
Boy's Boot, Massachusetts, ca. 1850. Maine State Museum, 81.19.89.
To complete his training, an apprentice often made a final product to demonstrate that he had mastered the required skills to be promoted to journeyman. An apprentice likely made this boot to prove his range of skills.
Once an apprentice graduated to become a journeyman, he worked in a master craftsman's shop for wages. Many journeymen hoped to open their own shop once they had saved enough money.