Figure 1.-- This CDV portrait shows two Canadian brothers in matching sailor suits. They look to be about 4-8 years of age. CDVs declind in America during the 1870s. This was not the case in Canada and Europe where DVs continued unto the 20th century. We are not sure how to date this portrait, but would guss the 1880s. The studio was Sweet &Kinloch in Rothesay in New Brunswick.

We know that Camnadian boys wore sailor suits in the 19th century. Unfortunately we do not have many 19th century portraits in our archive. Fashion industries tended to base their boys' sailor suits on their national navy's uniform. Canada in the 19th century as a Dominion did not have a navy and relied on the British Royal Navy. When Canada did begin to form a small navy for coastal patrols, they used Royal Navy styles. We know very little about the mid-19th century. We know a little more about the late-19th century. There may have been more of a British influence in the mid-19th century, but by the late-19th century they seem to be wearing rather American style sailor headwear and suits. this is a little complicated because Royal Navy styles influenced the uniform of most other navies, including the U.S. Navy. The unidentified boy here in a portrait taken about 1890 on the previous page is a good example. Note the three-strip detailing on the sailor collar, that was standard on both British and American sailor suits.

Created: 8:41 AM 3/15/2015
Last updated: 8:41 AM 3/15/2015