rssOct 8, 2026, 11:40

Shoe belonging to famous Zandvoort dwarf turns up in England

A shoe belonging to the famous 19th-century Dutch performer Simon Paap has been discovered in a museum in Warrington, England. Researchers confirmed the artifact's origins, linking it to Paap's travels as an entertainer during the time of King George IV.

A small shoe belonging to Simon Paap, a famous 19th-century performer from the Dutch fishing village of Zandvoort, has been discovered in Warrington, England. The artifact was found in a box by Victor Charlesworth, founder of a local Freemasonry museum, among items acquired from a defunct lodge in Liverpool. Research by Caroline Crook confirmed the identity of the shoe, which bears the name Simon Paap and a date related to the inauguration of King George IV in 1821. Historical records suggest Paap visited the Liverpool lodge while traveling from Dublin to London to perform for royal circles.

Simon Paap stood only 80 centimeters tall and traveled extensively across Europe to perform at fairs. During his visit to the Liverpool Freemasons, he identified himself as a gentleman rather than an entertainer. Today, his legacy remains a subject of research in the Netherlands, with local historians in Zandvoort and experts in England collaborating to uncover more about his life. Efforts are currently underway to commemorate the bicentenary of his death, including potential film projects.

Culture Haarlem Netherlands

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Based on reporting by rss. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.

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