Wednesday, January 4, 2012

  Largest collection of miniature shoes: K. B. Shivashankar sets world record

 BANGALORE, India -- Miniature footwear, numbering no less than 170 pairs in various sizes and designs, ranging from pencil heels and floaters to gum boots, now adorn the shelves in the shop of K.B. Shivshankar (47) , setting the world record for the Largest collection of miniature shoes, according to World Record Academy (www.worldrecordacademy.com).

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The Guinness world record for the Largest collection of miniature chairs was set by Barbara Hartsfield (USA), who has a collection of 3,000 miniature chairs .

Guinness World Records also recognized the world record for the Largest collection of miniature books, set by Nikunj R. Vagadia (India), who has amassed a collection of 258 different miniature books.

  "I took to cobbling after my father's death. I had to leave school and work to support my family. I learnt the craft after having worked as an assistant in several shops," Mr. Shivshankar, who owns Star Footwear on Davis Road, told The Hindu.

   "Since I was not getting regular orders for shoes, instead of sitting idle, I started making miniature shoes with leftovers.

  "Inspired by stories on achievers, I tried out some miniature footwear in 2004. They were all bought by a foreigner who was quite taken up by them. However, since then I have not parted with them," he added.

  The smallest pair in his collection is just 1.75 cm and the "biggest", is 5 cm. Finely crafted, an average pair of these diminutive shoes takes form in just an hour in his expert hands if he puts his mind to it.

  "I had created 120 pairs of shoes ranging in size from 1.5 cm to 5 cm and have already been named in the Limca Book of Records for creating the most number of pairs of smallest shoes in India. Now I am aiming for the world record. That is why I made 170 pairs," he says.

  Shivashankar's passion for making miniature shoes is such that even his family's displeasure has not deterred him.

 "I have three children who are now working in good companies. They don't like the fact that I make shoes for a living. Even my wife has a problem with it. They stay away from me. But I cannot give up my profession because this is my livelihood. If only somebody helps me get listed on the Book of World Records, I can say with pride that what I do is not demeaning," he says.

Related world records:  
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Largest collection of autographed baseballs: Dennis Schrader (Video)

Largest gum collection: Sarah Maughan

Largest Collection of Board Games: Jeff Bauspies

Largest collection of flamingos: Sherry Knight (Video)

Biggest comic book collection: Brett Chilman

Largest collection of fire patches: Bob Brooks (Video)

Largest instant camera collection: Wong Ting Man (HD Video)

Largest Collection of Coca-Cola Memorabilia: The Schmidt Museum (HD Video)

Largest love doll collection: Bob Gibbins (Video)

Largest collection of sick bags: Niek Vermeulen

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Largest collection of milk bottles: Paul Luke

Largest collection of Beatles memorabilia: Rodolfo Vazquez

Largest Collection of Clocks: Bill Williams

Largest collection of unopened Coca-Cola bottles: John Burley

Largest collection of thermometers: Richard T Porter

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Largest collection of tea caddies: Graham Brooks

Largest Rubber Duck Collection: Charlotte Lee

Largest Easter Egg Collection: Easter Egg Museum in Poland

Largest collection of bunny memorabilia: The Bunny Museum

Largest collection of crab memorabilia: Dr Darren Martin

Largest toothpaste collection: Dr. Val Kolpakov

Largest collection of banana related items: Ken Bannister

Largest Yo-Yo collection: Dr. John Meisenheimer

Largest Signed Game-Used Jersey Card: Panini America

Largest Pokémon Collection: Lisa Courtney

Largest collection of Simpsons memorabilia: Glynne Williams

Largest collection of miniature chairs: Barbara Hartsfield

Largest collection of Pooh & Friends memorabilia: Deb Hoffmann

Largest collection of cow-related items: Denise Tubangui

Largest movie camera collection: Richard LaRiviere

Largest collection of trolls: Sophie Marie Cross

Highest auction price for a doll: Marque

Largest Napkin collection: Marilyn Boyle

Largest privately owned auto collection : LeMay Museum

Largest Barbie doll collection: Bettina Dorfmann

Most expensive letter from Titanic: Spink Smythe

Largest Mickey Mouse collection: Janet Esteves

Largest Business Card collection: Brandon Rayner

Largest collection of Santa Claus memorabilia: Jean Guy Laquerre

Largest private collection of movie cameras: Dimitris Pistiolas

Largest collection of handmade aeroplanes: John Kalusa

Smallest Museum: Edgar's Closet Museum

Most expensive newspaper copy: Romanian newspaper

Largest collection of ladybug-related items: Sheri Gartner

Wednesday, January 4, 2012