Figure 1.--Children were a popular subject for 19th century greeting cards. They were often shown in fancy outfits like this not very realistic outfit. Notice the split sleeves. This harkens back to the 17th century. The Fauntleroy suits worn in the 19th century did not wear split sleeves on this English illustration. Also notice the sash and fancy shoes. |
Advancements in printing during the late 19th century had a wide variety of commercial ramifications. One of these was the greeting card industry. These cards reflected the sentimentality of the Victoriam middle class. One of the most popular subjects, was emaculately dressed children. Children appeared in a wide variety if outfirs, dresses, kilts, tunics, sailor suits and many others. One of the most popular outfits was the Fauntleroy suit.
The depictions of children on greeting cards were normally highly idealized. Interestingly while it would seem difficult to embelish already rediculously fancy Fauntleroy suits. That is precisely what illustrators did. While they normally did not make the bows and collars as large as were actually worn, they might add unrelaistic features like split sleeves. Silk stockings were also often added, eventhough wool stockings were more common. Illustrators also added wide colored sashes. These were occasionally worn, but were no common. Footwear was one of the most often embellished item, often pictures with fancy bows. Actual boys more commonly wore sturdy high-top button shoes.
HBC has not yet analized the cards from differnt countries, but hopes to do so.
Fauntleroy Related Pages:
[Return to the Main Fauntleroy merchandise page]
[Greeting cards]
[Paper dolls]
[Playing cards]
[Scrap cutouts]
Other Related Pages:
[Dresses]
[Kilts]
[Smocks]
[Pinafores]
[Velvet]
[Sailor Hats]
[Blouses]
[Ring Bearers]
[Long hair]
[Ringlet curls]
[Bangs]
[Main bow page]
[Sashes]
[Hair bows]
[Lace collars]
[Ruffled collars]
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