Figure 1.--The German mother and boy here is unidentified, except that the portrait was taken in Helmstedt. The boy wears a sailor suit. Note the non-traditional styling. The portarit was probably taken about 1885. Image courtesy of "Album.1990".
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Figure 1.--The German mother and boy here is unidentified, except that the portrait was taken in Helmstedt. The boy wears a sailor suit. Note the non-traditional styling. The portarit was probably taken about 1885. Image courtesy of "Album.1990". |
The German mother and boy here is unidentified, except that the portrait was taken in Helmstedt. The boy wears a sailor suit. Note the non-traditional styling.
The portarit was probably taken about 1885. HBC had initially though that the portrait may have been taken a bit later, about 1890. The Album.1890 Webmaster, however, writes "I am trying to learn how to date old photographies. There is no literature on this subject here in Germany (Unfortunately, so (some) experience is all I have at the moment). Is it the clothing that you suggest the picture is from about 1890? My guess is because the style of the cardboard which indicates 1885." The high image quality was one factor in leading HBC to believe that it may have been taken a few years earlier. Concerning the boy's sailor suit I at forst thought it looked more like 1890s styles. On closer examination I find that I am unsure aboutvthe styling. I gave never seen a collaron a sailor suit quite like this one. I am thus rather inclind to move toward the 1885 estimate. Perhaps the mother's dress might give some clues as to the date of the image better than the boy's sailor suit. Here HBC unfortunately has no expertise. We do note, however, that she appears to be heavily corseted.
There are several interesting aspects to this boy's sailor suit.
One of the most interesting aspects ofo this boy's sailor suit outfit is his broad-brimmed sailor hat. The boy wears his wide brimmed sailor hat inside for the portrait. Often the hats were removed for the portraits. Note tht the brim is actually a moderate size. This is one factor suggesting that this is a 1880srather than a 1890s portrait. There does not appear to be any chin strap.
The boy appers to have a traditionl "V" collar with a back flap. Rather than a dickey he wears a very unusual collar that is done in an unusual square pattern. I'm not sure about the colors. i havenever seen similarAmrican sailor suit.
The jacket or shirt seems to have doublr-breasted styling with light colored buttons, but that is difficult to make out for sure.
The boy wears kneepants. The buttons at the hem sem to actually button rather thn being purely ornamental, at least the top ofthe hree buttons.. There appears to be a kind of "v" insert at the leg hem.
The boy wears long white stockings. Black stockings were much more common.
It is no possible to get a good view of the boy's hair cut, but he appears to have a center part.
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Created: November 21, 2002
Last updated: November 22, 2002