Figure 1.--This illustration from Sears' 1897 catalog pictures the long stockings offered for children and women. Almost all were black stockings.

Sears in 1897 advertised long stockings. There were two types. Infants stockings were made in cotton, Maco yarn, and cashmere for children, boys and girls, through age 5. Larger sizes for children, boys and girls, and women were made in cashmere. The colors offered were almost all black, but there were tan cotton stockings for infants. Note that Sears in 1897 used the wor "infants" differntly than we do today. Infants mean young children rather than babies.

Here is how Sears offered its long stockings. Unfortunately there is more text with Sears insisting what a bargain these stockings are than describing the stockings. There is, howver, some very useful information. The illustration also indicates the length of the stockinfs. As boys wore them with kneepants, they did not have to come up very high above the knee.

Infants' Fancy Ribbed Fast Black Cotton Hose

No. 21450

Extra spliced heels and toes. Fine soft finish, close knit and ssemless. Sizes 4, 4 1/2, 5, and 5 1/2. Price per pair ... $0.15. Per 1/2 dozen pairs .... .80.

No. 21453

Infants' extra fine ribbed cotton extra spliced heels and toes. Full seamles, waranted fast, black and stainless, very soft and fine gauge. Sizes, 4, 4 1/2, 5, and 5 1/2. Price, per pair ...$0.17. Per 1/2 dozen pairs ... .90.

Infants' Silk Tip Hose

No. 21454

Infants' extra selected tan colored cotton hose, very fine elasticised ribbed legs. Full seamless with pure silk heels and toes. These stockings are made from the finest imported Maco yarn and are the equal of any genuine lisle threa hose mae, in looks, and are much better for wear. Sizes, 4, 4 1/2, 5, 5 1/2. Price, per pair ....$0.23. Price per 1/2 ozen pairs ....1.30.

No. 21455

Infants fine gauge silk tipped heel and toe hoes, same as above in fast black. Price, per pair ....$0.23. Per 1/2 ozen pairs ....1.30.

Infants Wool Hose

No. 21456

Infants' cashmere hose, made of pure wool, come in black wool only, with ribbed legs. Sizes, 4, 4 1/2, 5, 5 1/2. Per pair .....$0.15. Six pairs for .... .75. Sizes, 4, 4 1/2, 5, 5 1/2.

No. 21458

Infants' fine imported English cashmere, made of fine soft wool, very warm and will not shrink. Sizes, 4, 4 1/2, 5, 5 1/2. Regular 35¢ value. Our price, per pair ....$0.20 Three pair for .... .50

No. 21460

Infants' extra fine imported cashmere hose, made of very choice Australian lamb's wool, with colored silk heels and toes and ribbed legs. Per pair ....$0.24. Three pair for .... .70.

Misses' and Childrens' Plain Back Cashmere Hose

No. 21445. Misses' and Childrens' Extra Quality Plain Black fast Colored Cashmere Hose

Our own special importation and the best value ever offered at anywhere near our selling price, full seamless double knee, double heel and toe, regular 40 cent value. Our special price, per pair.....$0.25. Six pair for $1.40.

No. 21446.Misses' and Childrens' Extra Fine Imported Fast Black Cashmere Hose

Made of very choice Austrlian wool, high spliced heel, souble soles. Sell in large retail stores in big cities at 50¢ per pair. Our special price for all sizes 6 to 8 1/2. Per pair...$0.35. Three pair for ...$1.00.