Solemn Communion Suits: Canadian Chronology--The 1900s

Canadian first communion
Figure 1.--We have no information about this boy, except that he was Canadian and photographed in his First Communion suit. We would guess that he was French Canadian. The portrait unfortunately is undated, but we would guess was taken in the 1900s. He wears a conservative dark sinle breasted, kneepants suits.

We do not have many images of Canadian boys doing First Communion in the 1900s. The ones we have found show boys wearing conservative dark suits, usually kneepants suits with dark long stockings. We see basic single-breasted suits. The variation comes mostly from the blouses and collars. We see a wide range of collars, including fancy lace and ruffled collars and Eton collas. We also see various bows worn, both collar bows as well as the First Comminion sleeve bows. While the suits and stockings were dark, the collars and bows seem to have been a contrastng white. We have not yet found an=y white suits.

Quebec Boy (about 1905)

The Quebec boy here wears a rather elaborate lace collar with a regular kneeoants single breasted suit, an unusual combination. He also has a white bow. The image was undated, but we would guess about 1905. Note the decorative sleeve ribbon. We are not sure to what extent these were worn in the 19th century. He wears long stockings and high-top shoes. Note the rather incongrous hat. The photo was made by "Falardeau," Quebec.

Unidentified Canadian Boy (1900s)

We have no information about this boy, except that he was Canadian and photographed in his First Communion suit (figure 1). The image is coded Rosaire Barrette. I am not sure what that means, perhaps the boy's name. Perhaps our French Canadian readers will know if that is a boy's name. We would guess that he was French Canadian. The portrait unfortunately is undated, but we would guess was taken in the 1900s. He wears a conservative dark sinle breasted, kneepants suits. We are not sure, but the suits may have been navy blue rather than black. As was common he wears dark long stockings with his suit. To contrast with the dark suit is a white Eton collar and floppy bow. Also note the whte boater on the chair.







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Created: 9:18 PM 9/4/2006
Last edited: 9:18 PM 9/4/2006