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boys clothing: American children's literature chronology illustrations
American Children's Literature: Illustration Chronology
Figure 1.--This illustrated appeared in an early 20th century storybook. We do not know, however, who the illustrator and author were. We are not sure about the date of publication, but would guess the late 1910s or early 20s. The illustrations are particularkly interesting because they are contemporary and not historic. The boy here wears a distinctive tunic suit. The the girl wears a colored hairbow, white was more common. Notice her straw hat. Would she really put it on even when wearing a hair bow? Both children wear long black stockings. We believe this illustration comes from an American book, but it could be Canadian. Image courtesy of the CS collection.
As illustrations are often used extensively in children's books and because the books often deal with children, these illustrations are a wonderful source of information on children's fashions. Helful here is the fact that the books often can be dated. We are especially interested in the illustrations showing contemporary clothing rather than the books dealing with hisorical periods. Illustrations done of historical eras are subject to significant error and artistic license. Illustrations of contemporary times are of course not perfect sources, but much more likelt to be reasonably accirate, if some what idealized. The illustration here looks to show children playing in the late 1910s (figure 1).
Color illustrations become common place for the first time in the 1910s. Many illustrations show boys wearing caps--often flat caps. We notice sailor suits and tunic suits for boys in the 1910s. The tunic out outfit the boy here wears is a good example (figure 1). Notice the trim, belt, and above the knee bloomer knickers. The outfit here is shown as a play suit. Younger children might wear rompers which were worn by both boys and girls. Older boys wore kneepants or knicker suits. Long stockings were much more common than kneesocks in the 1910s. Headwear was quite common, although notice here that only the girl has a hat. Long stockings were common, especially black ones. Youngr children might wear short socks. High-top shoes were still very common.
U.S. author Josephine Lawrence (1890?-1978) began her literary career as a children’s author, writing more than 30 short books for juvenile readers with a limited vocabulary. Most od these books were oublished in the 1920s helping children learn learn to read. They were richly illustrated, although we do not know who yhe illustrator was. Sge would then write adult novels. She also worked as a journalist. .
