Figure 1.-- We would guess that this sampshot was taken in the 1910s. The early-20s is possible, but the 1910s seems more likely. The reader thought that it was possibly a class photo. We suspect that it was not a school photograph for several reasons. The background is clearly a private residence. And the children are not dressed for school. Note oine boy wearinf a fancy tunic suit. A church event like Sunday school is possible, but they are at a home. We think the most likely activity is a party, perhaps a birthday paty for one of the children. This of course would ovelap with school and church, but would explain why they are at a private residence.

We see children in a wide range of group images. Some of the most common are a variety of church, party, school, sport, and youth organization groups. Often the group is identified or it is possible to figure out the type of group from the context of the photograph. Commonly the background offers helpful clues. But in many cases it us not entirely clear what the group involved is all asbout. These group images, even if we don't understand just what the association is, provide very useful insights into poplar fashions of the period involved. Individual portraits can be anomalies as mother is in total control. Groupn images on the other hand are more likely to involve the fashions that were widely worn.

Unidentified American Group (1910s)

A reader has sent us this unidentified American snapshot (figure 1). It has no associated information. We would guess that this sampshot was taken in the 1910s. The early-20s is possible, but the 1910s seems more likely. The reader thought that it was possibly a class photo. We suspect that it was not a school photograph for several reasons. The background is clearly a private residence. And the children are not dressed for school. Note oine boy wearinf a fancy tunic suit. A church event like Sunday school is possible, but they are at a home. We think the most likely activity is a party, perhaps a birthday paty for one of the children. This of course would ovelap with school and church, but would explain why they are at a private residence. Also it is a snapshot and not a professional portrait. Readeers ofer aange of iseas. A reader writes, "You are right it is home based. I thought it rather large for a birthday party but it could be or some church event maybe?" Possibly. Perhaps one of the parents or the sunday school teacher is sponsoring an event at home. A reader writes, "This is a formal event. The children are dressed uniformly. The girls in their white dresses and the boys in their white shirts and dark knickers. I wouldn't rule out a Sunday School or Bible Class Group. However it is usual for such groups not to have the Pastor or Priest present. Thinking back to my youth in USA, our Vicarage was within the grounds of the church, so the house could be a Vicarage. It is too formal for a birthday party, and not dressy enough for a Confirmation class. The puzzle remains." Note that not all the boys wear white shirts. At least one boys wears a fancy lace-trimmed tunic. Another reader writes, "I go for the birthday party. However they don't seem to enjoy having their photograph taken."

Created: 12:10 AM 4/28/2011
Last updated: 8:39 PM 4/28/2011