Figure 1.--Here we see a Canadian boy wearing a stock. Notice the very high cut of the jacket lapels. All we know about this boy here is that taken in Saint John by a well known photographer. The portrait is undated, but we would guess was taken in the 1870s. The boy is not identified, but we would guess was about 14 years old. We note another portrait of this boy taken by the same photographer a few years later. Click on the image to see the other portrait. Image courtesy of the CS collection.

Men and boys in the mid 19th century wore stocks. the stock which was a single band around the neck, with the ends tied up in a bowlike configuration. Stocks were fastened in back by a hook or knot. The stock in front had what to the modern eye looks something like a pre-tied bowtie. We have not yet developed a time-line. I am not sure when they first appared, but were worn into the 1870s. They were usually black.

Created: 2:44 PM 3/10/2007
Last updated: 2:44 PM 3/10/2007