Figure 1.--Here two boys, presumably brothers, wear matching rather sporty knee pants suits. They are quite fashionable even though the portrait was takrn in 1915 during the midst of World War I. We are not sure how to describe the jackets. We see elements of both Norfolk and double-breasted styling. The portrait was done as a postcard. Click on the image to see the back of the card. On this postcard is written, "Town Pernov. Pernov district police department. To mr. J. Wichman" Pernov is a Russian name for modern Estonian town Pärnu (German: Pernau). Perhaps an Estonian reader will be able to translate the message.

Here two boys, presumably brothers, wear matching rather sporty knee pants suits. They are quite fashionable even though the portrait was takrn in 1915 during the midst of World War I. We are not sure how to describe the jackets. We see elements of both Norfolk and double-breasted styling. The portrait was done as a postcard. Click on the image to see the back of the card. On this postcard is written, "Town Pernov. Pernov district police department. To mr. J. Wichman" Pernov is a Russian name for modern Estonian town Pärnu (German: Pernau). A reader writes, "A fastenating photo. The haircuts are interesting--one boy having fairly closely cropped hair and the other with longer hair and a center part. These boys seem to have come from fairly well-off families--maybe merchant class.

World War I

Estonia was acquired by Russia in the Great Northern War (18th century). The principality had cities with German populations and aargely Estonian countryside. As with the other Baltic principalities, there were closer ties with the West than was the case with other areas of Russia. Estonia in the early 20th century, while a small part of the Russian Empire, had perhaps the most advanced economy in the Russian Empire. A desire for autonomy, however, caused friction with the Imperial Government. The Government of Russian Primeminister Pyotr Stolypin devised plans to strengthen the central government and Russify Estonia and Latvia. The Government assessed the colonisation of the Baltics with Russian peasants. The Baltics played an important role in Russian military planning, especially the defence of Petrograd. The Russians built fortifications in Estonia. Especially important was the Baltic fleets naval base and shipyards at Tallinn. Another naval base was built on the Northern coast--Peter I. About 100,000 Estonians were drafted into the Russian Army. About 10,000 Estonians killed in the War. Estonian politicians generally remained loyal to Russia during the War. They hoped to be rewarded with greater autonomy after the War and feared Germanification if the Germans prevailed. The Tsar's abdication brought a Provisional Government to power (March 1917). The Provisional Government moved toward autonomy for Estonia. The Bolshevick Revolution (October 1917) changed the situation and more Estonians began demanding full independence.

Unidentified Brothers

Here two boys, presumably brothers. Perhaps they are related to the the J. Wichman to whom the postcard is addressed.

Clothing

The boys wear matching matching rather sporty knee pants suits. They are quite fashionable even though the portrait was taken in 1915 during the midst of World War I. We are not sure how to describe the jackets. We see elements of both Norfolk and double-breasted styling. Estonia was a prosperous part of the Russian Empire and thus stylishly dressed children there is no suprise.

A reader writes, "A fastenating photo. The haircuts are interesting--one boy having fairly closely cropped hair and the other with longer hair and a center part. These boys seem to have come from fairly well-off families--maybe merchant class." Boys this age often had close-cropped hair. I think some schools nay have required it. We are not sure why one boy has cropped jair and the other boy from the same family does not.

Postcard

Chronology

The postcard is fates January 15, 1915. At this time Estoniaas still securely in Russian hands. The Russian and German armies ar this time werestruggling for control of Poland.

Nationality

The main text (to the left) is written in Estonian or may be Finnish. This tells us we think thar the family was Estonian. The address is written in Russian. This may have been a convention or even legal requirement within the Russian Empire. The postmark is Russian with a 3 kopecks stamp that had a portrait of tsar Alexander III.

Police District

The address is the Pernov district police department. We are not sure why the postcard was addressed like this. Perhaps the person who sent this postcard didnt know a home address and sent it to a workplace. Or perhaps this was done when the address is unknown.

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Created: 4:11 PM 1/24/2010
Last updated: 4:11 PM 1/24/2010