Ice Skates, used by Sonja Henie

Ice Skates, used by Sonja Henie

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Description (Brief)
Ice skates signed and worn by Sonja Henie (1912-1969.) The skate boots were hand made for Henie by noted craftsman Gustavo Stanzione. They are signed by Henie in blue ink, and are marked "SONJA" on the blades.
Henie was instrumental in popularizing the sport of figure skating, using an impressive array of spins and jumps to win three Olympic gold medals for her homeland of Norway (1928, 2932, 1936.) Wearing short skirts and white skates, she brough increased theatricallity and style to competition. Strikingly photogenic, Henie starred in ten Hollywood films, beginning with 1936's "One in a Million." She became a naturalized citizen of the United States in 1941.
Location
Currently not on view
Object Name
ice skates
date made
ca 1930 - 1950
user
Henie, Sonja
maker
Stanzione
place made
United States: New York, New York City
Physical Description
leather (overall material)
steel (overall material)
white (overall color)
grey (overall color)
ink (overall material)
adhesive (overall material)
Measurements
overall: 11 in x 4 in x 12 in; 27.94 cm x 10.16 cm x 30.48 cm
ID Number
1984.0345.03
accession number
1984.0345
catalog number
1984.0345.03
subject
Ice Skating
Sports
Professional
Entertainment
See more items in
Culture and the Arts: Sport and Leisure
Highlights from the Culture and the Arts Collection
Data Source
National Museum of American History
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Comments

We skated all over NY when I was a child. Mostly at Flushing Meadows. My Mom had skated and was quite good as a child growing up in Toronto. My Dad was big into trick skating starting in the late 40's after the war. We began skating as toddlers. I remember my Dad taking me to Stanziones and buying me a used pair of figure skates. I was in awe of the photos of all the notable skaters in the shop there. I was so proud of those skates. I still have them.

swa

Mon, 2017-10-23 12:10

There were no skating boots like Stanzis in my day. Just walking into their showroom which was very simple but lined with photos of all the great skaters they had made their custom skates for created an aura that you were part of a special family. The boots seemed to have a magical quality that made you think that any jump or spin or compulsory figure was possible to execute perfectly. My first pair was white buckskin with a Strauss Five Star Finalist blade. Heaven!!!

Margaret Murphy

Thu, 2016-10-13 23:02

Stanzione Boots. The most beautiful boots on the ice. They really glow!

Maria DeMeo

Thu, 2016-10-13 18:38

Gustavo was my grandfather with his sons he continued to craft hand made ice skating boots into the 1960s. He refused to sell his name to a shoe company that wanted to produce the boots by machineL2

Richard Stanzione

Sat, 2016-01-02 11:07

"Hi, In the 60's I was bought a pair of Stanzione's buckskin ice skates at 50 West 56th Street, New York City In which still have them today - My skating teach was Fritz Deitel - those were the days !!!!!!! I loved them then I love them today - still with their blade cover on and boot cover on them - part of a wonderful childhood - thank you !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Barbara

Wed, 2016-12-14 12:40

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