Troy, Seymour
Biography
Seymour Troy, born in the textile city of Lodz, Poland, migrated to the United States as a child in 1910. He financed his way through school by selling shoes, and by 1923 he had saved enough money to open his own small factory. For his first firm, Troy chose the name "yrto" (an anagram of his name) in order to give the brand a European sound. Eventually, Troy produced custom shoes under the name Seymour Troy Originals, as well as a ready-made collection under the name Troylings.
In 1960, the National Shoe Retail Association gave Seymour Troy the first annual “Mercury” award to honor him for 35 plus years in the business and numerous valuable contributions to the footwear field. His contributions throughout the years include the asymmetrical strap silhouette; the open sandal; the rolled top opera pump; the baby doll toe; the platform sole; the use of elasticized leathers and vinyl and Lucite in shoes; and the “Valkyrie” – a series of shoes with high-rising instep cover that outdid the classic opera pump in popularity in the 1930s.
Troy passed away in 1975.
Found in 44 Collections and/or Records:
Scrapbook front cover, 1923, 1923
Front cover of a scrapbook with yrto imprinted on the front. Clipping taped to inside is dated 1923.
Scrapbooks, 1932-1949, 1932-1949
This series contains three scrapbooks and the front cover of a fourth scrapbook.
Seymour Troy collection, 1936-1977, bulk 1936-1940
Sketch booklet, 1937, 1937
Sketches previously tied together to form a loosely bound sketchbook. Most sketches are undated but several are dated 1937.
Sketch booklet, 1939, 1939
Sketches previously tied together to form a loosely bound sketchbook. All sketches are undated except for two dated 1939.
Sketch booklet, 1939, 1939
Sketches previously tied together to form a loosely bound sketchbook. All sketches are undated except for one dated 1939.
Sketch booklet, undated
Sketches previously tied together to form a loosely bound sketchbook. Many sketches are labeled with shoe styles as well as names of department stores from cities across the country, including B. Altman, Titche-Goettinger, and I. Magnin. All sketches are undated.
Sketch booklets, 1936-1937, 1936-1937
Two miniature sketchbooks with soft leather covers, one labeled (1) from 1936, and one labeled (2) from Spring 1937. Sketches are labeled with style names.
Sketch booklets, 1938, 1938
Two miniature sketchbooks with soft leather covers, one labeled (3) from Spring 1938, and one labeled (4) from Fall 1938. Sketches are labeled with style names.
Sketch booklets, 1939-1940, 1939-1940
Two miniature sketchbooks with soft leather covers, one labeled (5) from Spring 1939 and one labeled (7) from Spring 1940. Sketches are labeled with style names.