Figure 1.--Clarence Colestock was reportedly the favorite grandson of Mrs. Wesley Gray, a friend of the noted American poet James Whitcomb Riley. It was Riley who wrote the poem "Little Orphant Annie". Mrs. Gray was the Riley's inspiration for that film.

Clarence Colestock was reportedly the favorite grandson of Mrs. Wesley Gray, a friend of the noted American poet James Whitcomb Riley. It was Riley who wrote the poem "Little Orphant Annie". Mrs. Gray was the Riley's inspiration for that poem. The comic strip "Little Orphan Annie" was loosely based on Riley's poem. It was for many years one of the most popular American comic strips. The comic strip in turn inspired the Broadway musical and film "Annie". Mrs. Gray's grandson apparently looked much like Mrs. Gray when she was the same age and inspired the Riley poem. Clarence seems to have been about 6 years old when this portrait was taken, probably in Indianapolis. The photo is undated, but I would guess anytime from about 1895-1905. Clarence wears a sailor suit sith a huge wide-brimmed hat. Clarence's kneepants sailor suit seems fairly standard. This is obviously summer wear for the boy. It is a light-colored suit, but not white. I'm not sure what color it was. The most destinctive aspect of Clarence's sailor suit is his very large sailor scarve. Many boys wore large floppy bows at the time, but the scarve here seems abnormally large. He wears knee-length kneepants with long black stockings.

Created: 4:18 PM 5/31/20053
Last edited: 7:13 PM 5/31/2005