But not just ANY shoe horn. One from James Smith & Sons Umbrellas on Oxford Street in London. We passed the shop on our way to the British Museum. "We have to go back there!" I said to Thom.
It's a listed building, the shopping equivalent of the Wolseley. Authentically and unequivocally British for nearly two centuries.
A patient salesman demonstrated a seat stick. Interesting, but a mite too old even for this senior citizen. He also explained legal uses for a shillelagh. "A publican might use it to keep a rowdy customer in line." Thom wandered to the umbrella section where he tortured a young salesman with more than a passing resemblance to Oscar Wilde.
While I photographed the marvelous selection of walking sticks, I overheard a customer ask the price of a very long shoe horn.
Thom returned the next day and spent almost twice as much for a steel-spine umbrella that should be hanging in the Victoria & Albert's Design Museum in Dundee!
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