Figure 1.--Here we see what looks like a boy playing in what looks like a mail order cowboy costume. The snapshot is undated, but looks like the 1900s to us. Unusual to see a young girl of that era playing with toy guns. We suspected that dad lassoed her in for the photograph.

We are not entirely sure about the chronology of Ameican play at this time. We are less sure about play trends the 19th century before America became a urban society. The popularity of Western themed dime novels after the Civil War suggests that this saga and children's play was not just a 20th century phenomenon. Of course this would affect play most for older boys that enjoyed reading. The urbanization and economic success of America had a major impact on play. American children hd much more time for play. Fewer cildren had to wrk to support the family. The cowboy saga had its the greatest appeal in the 20th century--perhaps fueled by Hollwood. The Old West was a major genre of the silent era (1910s-20s). And the silent film meant that the films were easily exportable to Europe. And Hollwood exposed kids of all ages to the Old West saga. The excitement immediately captured boys. We can follow this in the photographic record only after the snapshot became a family institution at the turn-of-the 20th century. We see many images of boys playing cowboys and Indians. And we see costumes being offered in mail order catalogs fom the eginning of the 20th century. Cow boy costumes we easy, requiring only a cowboy hat, gunbelt, and bandana. And then in the 50s, cowboy hirts were apopular style. Many boys wire them to school. Cowboy boots were a big asset, but less common. Indin costumes were much more complicated and not some we commonly see. In the early-20th century boys often played barefoot. Then grdully sneakers became more standard play wear.

Created: 4:53 PM 3/15/2016
Last updated: 4:54 PM 3/15/2016