Figure 1.--Here we see Master H. McCrea in a family snapshot in 1919. On the same day a portrait was tke with his baby brother. I think this could be an example of short trousers as a replacement for the more usual knee pants which were going out of style at the end of the 1910s and being replaced by either knickers or shorts.

This portrait shows four brothers, stair stepped by age and height. I'd gues they are about 4-12 years old. The older boys look to be wearing sneakers, not very cmmon in formal portraits like this. Two notations written on the back - on the actual picture in pencil - Mrs. H. Multhauf (guessing on the spelling due to handwriting) 8728 Loomis St. We do not know who she was. There is also a small piece of paper taped on stating McErlean boys, Paul, John Henry, Charles & James. The portrait gives a good idea of age convetins for boys in the 1920s. Paul wears a button on play suit which was good enough to serve a dress outfit. The other three boys wear what look like similar long-sleeved shirts. John Henry wears above the knee white knickers with white knee socks and sandals. The older boys are dressed alike with black knickers, black long stockings, and sneakers. Thats not a family name we have noted before. The portrait is embossed in the lower right with the photographers mark - Wood Bros., 63rd St. and Union Ave., Chicago. The portrait is undated, but we would guess was taken during the 1920s.

Created: 6:13 PM 5/14/2007
Last edited: 6:13 PM 5/14/2007