Figure 1.--Here is a cabinent card oirtrait of a boy orator striking a pose. He is Roy Chapin Hodgson. Note the medals on his lapel, no doubt awarded for his speaking skills. Children at the time were encouraged to develop speaking skills. Recitations and speeches were common activities promoted at school.

Here is a cabinent card oirtrait of a boy orator striking a pose. He is Roy Chapin Hodgson. We know nothing about Rou, except that he was from Syracuse, New York. He looks to be about 10 years old. Note the medals on his lapel, no doubt awarded for his speaking skills. Children at the time were encouraged to develop speaking skills. Recitations and speeches were common activities promoted at school. The portrait is undated, but was probably taken in the 1890s. The photographer was F.C. Flint of Syracuse, New York. Roy wears a kind of velvet tuxedo suit with a white vest and lace collar and wrist ruffles. The lace collar is very difficult to see, but the lace wrist ruffles are more apparent. I haven't seen a suit quite like this before. The boys wears court slippers/dancing pumps and long stockings. Note the bows on the shoes. These shoes bows were usually black and smaller. Mother must have thought that was the finnishing touch to Roy's oritorical costume.

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Created: 10:09 PM 8/27/2006
Last updated: 10:10 PM 8/27/2006