Boys' Recital and Performance Clothes during the Late-19th Century


Figure 1.--This boy was dresses in his kneepants double-breasted suit which for the occasion of the portrait a large bow was added--although it is difficult to see in the photograph. The photograph was probably taken in the 1890s.

Large numbers of photographic portraits become available in the late 19th century. In part this was a reflection of the declining cost of a photographic portrait. HBC believes that the increasing prposperity of America and Europe also meant that there were increasing numbers of family that could aford instrumental lessons for their children. Given the age of the boys being taught to play instruments, most would be dressed in kneepants suits for recitals or portraits. Often large floppy bows would be added. Sailor suits, usually with kneepants, appear to have been popular choices. Interestingly, relatively few boys appear to have worn Fauntleroy suits. Perhaps age was a factor.

Expanding Industrial Economy

Boys have taken clases to learn to play musical instruments from time immemorial. Beginning in the late Victorian era an expanding middle class had the financial ability to afford instumental instruction for their children. Earlier a much more narrow sector of the opulation could aspire to musical training on anything but folk instruments. The fine arts were until the 17th Century limited to court functions. Gradually as Europe's middle class expanded in number and political influence, the opportunity for refinements like instrumental tuition expanded. HBC believes that the increasing prposperity of America and Europe also meant that there were increasing numbers of family that could aford instrumental lessons for their children.

Photography

Large numbers of photographic portraits become available in the late 19th century. In part this was a reflection of the declining cost of a photographic portrait. Taking a photograph at a reciatal would have required a major effort. Thus most of our photographs or individual photographs that parents had done perhaps or before a reciatal. They pro

Motivation

Motivation on the part of the boy varied. Some boys from their early childhood have aspired to learn a musical instument. In other cases, doting mothers have insisted on music lessons to inbue their sons with at least a minimal veneer of culture, even if their sons objected. Ofte the children, especially the boys objected. Some thought that music was more for girls. Other objected to the effort music demanded and time away from the ball field or other favored activity.


Figure 2.--This wonderful American portrait was taken in 1890. HBC might of guesed a little later because the boy is wearin thre-quarter socks rather than long stockings. Luckily the portrait was dated on the back. Notice that he does not wear a dickey. HBC would estimate the boy to be about 10 years old.

Clothing

There was no costume of course for boys learning musical instruments. Mothers insisted, however, that there sons put on their best suits for any recitals or performances. In the late 19th Century this generally meant a kneepants suit--often the popular double-breasted style. Given the age of the boys being taught to play instruments, most would be dressed in kneepants suits for recitals or portraits. Often mothers would add a large bow to the boys outfit. Bows were commonly worn by young boys in the late-19th Century with Little Lord Fauntleroy suits or other fancy outfits. For recitals or special occasions a bow might be added to the outfits of even older boys now wearing more adult-looking suits. Sailor suits, usually with kneepants, appear to have been popular choices. Interestingly, relatively few boys appear to have worn Fauntleroy suits. Perhaps age was a factor.

Photo Interpretaion

A valued HBC reader submitted the image here od the boy in the sailor suit thinking that he might be a child prodigy. HBC don't think he was a prodigy though. They would most likely be mass-produced post cards with name printed on the front or back. The boy in the sailor suit and violin looks to be a loving portrait of an adorded son.

Other Images

We note other early 19th century images. Unfortunately there is no provinance connected with the images so we are unsure just what is involved. Some of the boys may be local prodigies, boys with considerable musical talent. Others may be boys dressed up for a reciatal. Or they simply may be boys learning to play a musical nstrument and they are their mothers wanted them photographed with there instrument. That may be the case here (figure 1). There are several other such instances reflected in HBC's image archive. One such example is a Philadelphia boy photographed proably in the late 1880s.






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Created: December 31, 1998
Last updated: April 13, 2004