Figure 1.--This charming Victorian cabinet portrait shows four children, two young boys and two older girls. The boys wear sailor suits and the girls smocked dresses. We are guessing that because the portrait is a cabinet card that it is either the 1880s or 90s. The CDV remained a popular format in Britain much longer than in America. The cabinet cards were not as popular in England as in America during the 1870s. We do not notice any clues associaed with the cabinet crd here. The narrow ties in America were primarily worn in the 1870s.

We note some large families in the 19th century. Not all families were large, but a number of children seemed the Victorian ideal. Younger boys throughout the 19th century wore dresses. Pattaletts were common. The age of breaching varied from family to family. Here social class was a factor. Boys in the early 19th century wore long pants skeleton suits. Tunics were also worn. Long pants contiued to be standard for boys until after mid-century. Gradually kneepants and knickers became more common. Wenote Eton collars becoming increasingly common by mid-century. Sailor suits became fashionable in the late 19th century, both boys and girls wore them. Girls wore dresses throughout the 19th century and the family photographs help to understand the changes over time.

Image 1: Liverpool Family

This charming Victorian cabinet portrait shows four unidentified children, two young boys and two older girls. They look to be about 3-11 years of age. The boys wear sailor suits and the girls smocked dresses. We are guessing that because the portrait is a cabinet card that it is either the 1880s or 90s. The CDV remained a popular format in Britain much longer than in America. The cabinet cards were not as popular in England as in America during the 1870s. We do not notice any clues associaed with the cabinet crd here. The narrow ties in America were primarily worn in the 1870s. And we don't recall seeing girls wear them. we are not sure about Britain. The bpys' sailor outfits look like the 90s to us, although we are not at all sure. We have no idea how to date the girls' smocked dresses. The photographer, Herbert Rose Barraud (1845-1896) was very well known and made photos of prominent people in government, the arts and the aristocracy. He had studios in London and Liverpool. The way they are opposed you can see the photgrpher was very good. The older children are holding the younger children, suggesting a very wrm loving fmily bond. The photo measures 6 5/8 by 4 3/8 inches.

Created: 9:25 AM 3/31/2016
Last updated: 9:25 AM 3/31/2016