Images(3)

Skate, Ice

Object number2017.126.1 a,b

Manufacturer C.C.M. Winter Club

Date1940-1950

OriginCanada

MediumLeather, Metal; Chrome plated steel; Paint; Fabric

Credit LineGift of Mary "May" Horne Siegle's Children: George, Don, Patty, Elmer, and Tommy

DescriptionPair of women's ice skates.DimensionsHeight x Width x Length (a): 10.875 × 3 × 10.375 in. (27.6 × 7.6 × 26.4 cm)
Height x Width x Length (b): 10.625 × 3.125 × 10.375 in. (27 × 7.9 × 26.4 cm)
MarksEach skate has:
Engraved text on underside of the toe plate "6" or "9";
Imprinted text on underside of sole at center "STEEL ARCH / C.C.M. / SUPPORT";
Engraved text on blade below toe plate "C.C.M. / Winter Club" and below heel plate "MADE IN CANADA / BY / C.C.M."
Historical NotesMary “May” Horne Siegle was in the Ice Capades as a “Capette” in the 1940s-1950s. Siegle was born in Garfield and later moved to Morningside. She auditioned for the Ice Capades right after graduating from St. Raphael’s in Morningside. Siegle’s first wish was to become a flight attendant like her older sisters, but she failed to be hired when it was found she was too short in stature to place luggage in the overhead compartments. The Capettes would end their show with the whip, when the girls would chase the ongoing motion of an ice skating line in a circle. Horne, notable as the smallest performer in her group at 4’11, was the last skater in line. She would, as the donor put it, have to have her “speed on” to “catch” the line. According to the donor, John Harris chose only Pittsburgh girls for the background skaters, purportedly because Pittsburgh’s melting pot of immigrant groups made them the most beautiful girls in the country. Siegle never bought another pair of skates. Even after leaving the Ice Capades, she used these each winter for many years while teaching her children to skate.

Previous owner Mary Horne Siegle

Related institution Ice Capades Inc.

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