Figure 1.--This American photo postcard is undated, but HBC would estimate it at about 1910. By that date these large collar blouses were going out of style for boys. Notice that there are no matching wrist ruffles.

This American photo postcard is undated, but HBC would estimate it at about 1910. We know that the portrait was taken after 1906 as these photo-postcards first appeared in 1907. It is a divided back AZO card. HBC believes that the blouse style suggests it was taken between 1907 and 1914. About 1910 would be a close approximation.The boy wears a Fauntleroy blouse. The hugh collar extends well over his collar and down his front. It has eylet lace cut-outs in the shape of a flower. There is no matching wrist cuff trim.By that date these large collar blouses were going out of style for boys. Notice that there are no matching wrist ruffles. We know that this American boy has a new brother or sister. Other than that we know nothing about him. The boys' clothes are obscured by the baby and gowm. To the left his pants, stockings, and shoes can be seen. He looks to be wearing knickers, but tyhis is hard to tell. Clearly he swears long stockings, but they do not look to be black. His button shoes are high tops with a kind of boughed top. The boys's short haircut looks rather modern.

Identity

We know that this American boy has a new brother or sister. Other than that we know nothing about him. He looks to be about 10 years old. As it is a photo-post card rather than a cabinent card, we do not even know where he is from.

Chronology

We know that the portrait was taken after 1906 as these photo-postcards first appeared in 1907. It is a divided back AZO card. HBC believes that the blouse style suggests it was taken between 1907 and 1914. About 1910 would be a close approximation. These large collars, as were large bows, were declining in popularity by 1910 and by mid-decade as war raged in Europe, had become much less common.

Blouse

Style

The boy wears a Fauntleroy blouse. The hugh collar extends well over his collar and down his front. It has eylet lace cut-outs in the shape of a flower. There is no matching wrist cuff trim. Note the detail below (figure 2).

Type

This looks like a blouse with a collar. The collar does not appear to be pinned on.

Bow

While this boy's mother insisted on a gigantic collar, she chose a rather small bow to go with it. Given the size of the boy's collar, his bow looks almost tiny. It looks to be white, but a pale pastel is possible.

Other Clothing

The boys' clothes are obscured by the baby and gowm. To the left his pants, stockings, and shoes can be seen. He looks to be wearing knickers, but tyhis is hard to tell. Clearly he swears long stockings, but they do not look to be black--perhaps it was the exposure. Black long stockings are other dark colors were still quite common in 1910, even for much older boys. His button shoes are high tops with a kind of boughed top.

Figure 2.--This enlargement gives a better view of the eyelet lace. Note how it matches the lace trim on the christening gown.

Baby Gown

Note the white gown long gown that the baby wears. This was standard for younger infants. It was inconvenient when cghanging the baby, but could be folded over for warmth. Norice that the eyelet lace on the baby gown is similar to that on the older brother's blouse collar.

Lace

One interesting aspect of this portrait is the eyelet lace used for the boy's blouse and rhe christening outfit. It appears to have been the same. The eyelet lace can be seen in detail here (figure 2). The lace on the christening outfit can best be seen at the boyyom hem.

Haircut

The boys's short haircut looks rather modern.

Created: April 16, 2002
Last updated: 6:36 PM 1/8/2005