Figure 1.-- Sears offered Three different grades of pin-on stocking supporters. The illustratin shows a rather old-fashioned looking Buster Brown with a wide-brimmed hat, but he has been updated a bit with short pants rather than a tunic and bloomer knickers. We note sizes up to 12-years of age. We suspect that many of the 11 1nd 12 year olds wearing long stockings were girls. Some boys this age may have worn long stockings with knickers for formal occassions, but they were probably mostly worn by girls at these older ages.

Sears offered Three different grades of pin-on stocking supporters. The illustratin shows a rather old-fashioned looking Buster Brown with a wide-brimmed hat, but he has been updated a bit with short pants rather than a tunic and bloomer knickers. We note sizes up to 12-years of age. We suspect that many of the 11 1nd 12 year olds wearing long stockings were girls. Some boys this age may have worn long stockings with knickers for formal occassions, but they were probably mostly worn by girls at these older ages.

Kleinert's Buster Brown Supporters

The Sears ad copy read, "Old Favorite. All Sizes 22 cents a Pair. Kleinert's Pin-On Buster Brown all elastic garters have plenty of stretch and give. Nickle plated adjustable buckle. Round rubber buttons. Black or White. Age-sizes: 2 to 4 years; 6 to 9 years; 9 to 12 years. State color and age-size. Shipping weight 2 oz. 25 D 5418 22 cents."

Pin-On Garters

The Sears ad copy read, "19 cents a pair. Adjustable elastic. Nickel plated buckles. Velvet grip oblong rubber buttons. Non-elastic pendants. Black or White. Age-size: 2 to 4 years; 4 to 6 years; 6 to 9 years; 10 to 12 years. State age-size, color. Shipping weight 3 oz. 25 D 5400 Pair, 19 cents."

2 Pairs for 17 cents

The Sears ad copy read, "Pin-on garters. Age-size: 2 to 4; 4 to 6; 6 to 9; 10 to 12 years. Black, White. State size, color. Shipping weight 3 oz. 25 D 5401--2 Pairs. 17 cents."

Prices

The well-known Buster Brown supporters (22 cents a pair) are more than twice as expensive as the cheapest kind, sold at 17 cents for 2 pairs. Presumably the Buster Brown garters wear much longer with hard use. They are all-elastic (in both upper strap and pendants) whereas the two other models are elastic only in the upper strap and have non-elastic pendants. The all-ealstic construction would mean, of course, much better stretchiness and the capacity to hold long stockings more smoothly and tautly in place.

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Created: 10:24 PM 6/21/2006
Last updated: 9:41 PM 6/22/2006