Figure 1.--Here we have a colorized postcard. The reliability of the cards in terms of acurate depictions is notably unreliable. The colors here, however, seem plausible. We are not sure about the origins of this card. We suspect it is French, although long stockings were less common in France thn many other countries.

HBC relies heavily on the photographic record for its fashion assessments. This causes a difficulty in dealing with color. Until the 1970s, mosdt photographs were black and white. There were some color photographs, but they were a very small part of the overall number of photographs taken. There are several other sources of color information, but each have limitaions. None have the same validity as an actual color photograph. Color information can be found in: paintings, advertising, catalogs, postcards, tinted and colorized potraits, vintage clothing, and other sources. Color photographs and viuntage clothing are the two best sources of information. Paintings are good if not perfect sources, but relatively rare. While color photographs are rare, color lithography was possible by the 1890s. It was at first mostly used in advertising. The colors chosen were often for eye appeal raher than acurate depiction. Post cards were commonly colorized, but the color depictions are very unreliable. Catalaogs often list colors. Because money was involved, the colors listed are reliable, but usually do not mebntion shade. Color tinting and colorization of black and white photigrapohs is useful, but leaves questions as to accuracy.

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Created: 8:43 PM 10/4/2008
Last updated: 3:12 AM 7/1/2009