Figure 1.--This page is labeled "Kinderstrümpfe", meaning children's socks. We believe, however, that these were primarily boys' socks. |
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Several company offered kneesocks in many different colors and patterns. There were also colorful ankle socks. Most winter catalogs offered tights. Many also show colorful kneesocks. Catalogs suggest that boys wore kneesocks with long pants. We are not sure what catalog comapny is shown here. The styles shown look to be prinmarily boys' kneesocks. The ankle socks shown are clearly boys's styles.
We are not sure what company catalog this is. One source suggests Weserversand, but I am not sure that is an acatual company. Hopefullu our German readers will help us identify this catalog.
I am not sure what the precise German term for kneesocks is. Here the catalog uses the term "Kinderstrümpfe". In the ad copy we note the term "Kniestrumpf" which I think more specifically means kneesocks.
Catalogs like this are somewhat confusing. The heading is "Bewährte Kinderstrümpfe". I'm not sure what "Bewährte" means, but "Kinderstrümpfe" means children's socks. We think, however, that these socks are primarily for boys. The illistration at the top left, clearly shows knickers-length lederhosen. These were only worn by boys. Style K showing colored ankle socks with stripes were primarily a boys' style. This suggests the socks on tjhis page were primarily for boys. Hopefully our German readers will gove us some guidance here.
Kneesocks worn by German boys through the 1950s were primarily turn-over-top kneesocks. This meant that they were made at a length above the knee so that they could be cuffed just below the knee. The kneesocks show here are different. They are made to be pulled up to the knee, but just to the knee and there is no extra length to form a cuff. Rather these kneesocks have and elasticized palin part band at the top without any pattern.
Under the heading "Bewährte Kinderstrümpfe" which means
reliable kneestockings (or knee-length socks). The page reads, "alle mit Elastikrand, daher der gute Sitz, alle mit verstaerkter Ferse
und Spitze!" That means, "all with elastic brim, therefore the good fit, all with reinforced heel and top (toe)"
Style D is the diamond pattern shown being worn with knickers-length lederhosen at the top left. The ad copy reads, "ab 7.75 2-Paar Packung. Zuenftige Bundhosenstruempfe aus DRALON-Hochbausch mit HELANCA. Je ein Paar rot und gruen. Nr.43507. Groesse 3/4 - 11/12.
Pckg. DM7.95-15.95." That means, "From 7.75 2-pair package. Proper stockings for trousers with an elastic waistband (that's what a Bundhose is, there is no English translation) made of highly padded DRALON with HELANCA. Each a red and green pair. #43507.
Size 3/4-11/12/ Pckg. DeutscheMark 7.95-15.95".
Style E are the stripe toped colored (White, blue, and red) ankel socks at the left. Almost surely these are boys' socks. The ad copy reads, ""ab 7.95 2-Paar Packung. Praktische Stiefelsoeckchen aus DRALON und Schurwolle mit HELANCA. Warmer Frottee mit Ringelkante Nr.43505 rot
Nr.43506 marineblau. Bestellgroesse 2-10 fuer Schuhgroesse 22-24 - 34-36. Pckg. 7.75-15.75." This means, "From 7.95 2-pair package. Handy ankle boot socks made of DRALON and virgin wool with HELANCA. Warm terry cloth with coiled edges #43505 red #43506 navy
blue. Order size 2-10 for shoe size 22-24 - 34-36. Pckg. 7.75-15.75."
Style F is the cable-knit kneesocks shown at the top right in varioys colors (purple, blue, white, tan, and red). In America cable knit kneesocks were primarily worn by girls, primarily because by the time this style appeared, kneesocks were mostly being worn by girls. There appears to have been no similar convention in Germany. The ad copy reads, "ab 4.95 2-Paar Packung. Solider Kniestrumpf aus Acryl-Stretch. In modischen Farben mit seitlichem Zopfmuster. Je zwei Paar in der gleichen Farbe. Nr.43508-11: weiss, rot, marineblau, beige, aubergine. Groesse 3/4-11/12/ Pckg. 4.95-8.95". This means, "from 4.95 2-pair package. Well-made kneestocking of Acryl-Stretch. In
fashionable colors with lateral plait pattern. Each two pair in the same color. #43508-11: white, red, navy blue, beige, egg plant color. Size 3/4-11/12. Pckg. 4.95-8.95".
Style G is the kind of snow flake pattern to the right in three colors (blue, red, and green). I do not recall ever seeong this pattern in America. I am not sure why it was so much less expensive than the other styles, but believe that it was probably because it was just made it very small sizes for younger children. I am not sure why this pattern was seen as suitable for younger children. The ad copy reads, "ab 3.50 3Paar Packung. Gut in Passform und Qualitaet, dabei besonders guenstig im Preis. Kniestrumpf aus HELANCA. Je ein Paar rot, marineblau, gruen. Nr.435043. Groesse 1-4 Pckg. 3.50-9.50". This means, "from 3.50 3-pair package. Good fit and quality, as well exceptionally agreeable in price. Knee socks made of HELANCA. Each a pair red, navy, blue, green. #435043. Size 1-4 Pckg. 3.50-9.50".
Style H is the kind of over lapping pattern to the right shown in two colors (blue and green with red). I do not recall ever seeong this pattern in America. The ad copy reads, "ab 7.75 2-Paar Packung. Vorzueglicher Kniestrumpf aus DRALON mit Wolle und Nylon-Krepp, bestens passend. Je ein Paar rot und gruen, gemustert Nr.43502.
Groesse 1-5. Pckg. 7.75-11.75". This means, "from 7.75 2-pair package. Excellent knee socks made of DRALON with wool and nylon-crepe, best fit. Each a pair in red and green, patterned #43502. Size 1-5. Pckg. 7.75-11.75".
For some reason right over style I is written "Die sind schick--die möecht' ich tragen!" This merans, ""They are chic - these I want to wear!". I have ever seen this style of kneesocks in America. Ir was available in red and blue. The ad copy reads, "ab 6.50 2-Paar Packung. Hochelastisch, da aus Acryl-Stretch. Je ein Paar rot und marineblau mit seitlichem Streifenmuster. Nr.43.... Groesse 3/4 - 11/12 Pckg. 6.50-10.50". This means, "from 6.50 2-pair package. Highly elastic, because of Acryl-Stretch. Each a pair red and navy blue with lateral stripe pattern #43.... Size 3/4-11/12 Pckg. 6.50-10.50".
For some unknown reason there was not style J shown.
One German reader writes, "Why do you postthe images so that they can not be read?" HBC has to piosr them this way. First of all if we posted the images withouit compression they would take forever to load. Also if we did not reduce the size the image would take up the entire page. We think it is preferable to post the refduction and them add the text. This gives us the ability to translate it into English. While some HNC readers speak German, many more HBC readers speak English which means many more readers will be able to inderstand just what the catalog says.
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