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Our information on color in American boys clothing is incomplete at this time. The popularity of some colors have notably changed over time, but some basic colors (includuing brown, blue, and grey) seem pronounced over time--at least since the 19th century. Of course, information on 19th century colors are limited by the blacks and white photography of the day. We do, however, have colorized images. and we think that for the most part that the colorized images reflect a basic representation of the actual shades worn. We note John and Charles Howell in the 1860s wearing navy-blue suits in the 1860s. We also see black and white checked blouses with what may be black pants. Military-styled peaked caps surely are navy blue and not black. As the 19th century progressed, the increasing popularity of catalogs fgives us more color information. Assessing color becomes easier in the 20th century. Color lithography and than color photography gives us more color information. Color photography was developed in the late-19th cenbtury, but was complicated and expemsive. Seceral companies were active before World War Ii, but the film and processing was expensive. Color becomes increasingly popular after World War II (1939-45), but it is not untl the 1970s and falling pries that color photograpj becomes really common. Catalogs provided detailed color information by the late-19th century, but amateur snap shots were bneeded to provide scenes showing how the clothes were being worn and in what circumstances.
Our information on color in American boys clothing is incomplete at this time. The popularity of some colors have notably changed over time, but some basic colors (includuing brown, blue, and grey) seem pronounced over time--at least since the 19th century. We have some information on the early-19th century. Thete a painings. Most early american paintings are the work of nibe or untrained artists. Even so, the color reproductions are probanly very accurate. Paintings wre, however, dine in limited numbers and commissioned by the affluent which means that they cover only part of the popultion. Photography radically changed the number of available images, but for the nost prt not color imzges.
Of course, information on 19th century colors are limited by the blacks and white photography of the day. We do, however, have colorized images. and we think that for the most part that the colorized images reflect a basic representation of the actual shades worn. We note John and Charles Howell in the 1860s wearing navy-blue suits in the 1860s. We also see black and white checked blouses with what may be black pants. Military-styled peaked caps surely are navy blue and not black. As the 19th century progressed, the increasing popularity of catalogs fgives us more color information.
Assessing color becomes easier in the 20th century. Color lithography and than color photography gives us more color information. Color photography was developed in the late-19th cenbtury, but was complicated and expemsive. Seceral companies were active before World War Ii, but the film and processing was expensive. Color becomes increasingly popular after World War II (1939-45), but it is not untl the 1970s and falling pries that color photograpj becomes really common. Catalogs provided detailed color information by the late-19th century, but amateur snap shots were bneeded to provide scenes showing how the clothes were being worn and in what circumstances.
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