Figure 1.--Eatons in a French language catalog offered these outfits in 1946. The clearly show American-styled clothing. We do not know if there were differencesin the English and French language catalogs other than the language. Here are a variety of short and long pants play outfits. Notice the button-on styling. In the circle it says "Le 'magasin de jeune Canada' au catalogue Eton". That means. "The 'Magazine of Young Canada' of the Eaton catalog. I'm not precisely sure what was meant bythat.

Eatons offerd several styles of boys' play suits, both long and short pants styles. There are five outfits, two long pants play suits ad three short pants play suits. Four are button-on style play suits. One is bib-front overall style play suit. They were made in sizes for boys 2-6 years of age. The catalog was a French-languge catalog. We do no know if there was any fifferences in the English and French lnguage editions of the Eatons catalog.

Styles

Eatons offerd several styles of boys' play suits, both long and short pants styles. There are five outfits, two long pants play suits ad three short pants play suits. Four are button-on style play suits. One is bib-front overall style play suit.

Ages

They were made in sizes for boys 2-6 years of age. The catalog was a French-languge catalog.

Eatons

This Canadian retailer began publishing mailorder catalogs in 1881, at least that is we begin noticing them. We have catalogs from the 1970s, although we do not know about the company's current status. The 1970s catalgs were full of clothes which look like American styles. Timothy Eaton, founder of the huge all-Canadian department store chain bearing his name, was an Irish immigrant born on a tennant farm in northern Ireland. He was born in 1834 and followed his brothers to Canada in 1854. His brothers had opened a small dty goods store in St. Marys. Timothy Eaton began his business with a small dry goods business in Toronto during 1869. He built a giant retail store in Ontario’s capital city along with a country-wide mail-order business and a big new branch store in Winnipeg, by the time of his death in 1907. The Winnipeg branch was the first of many branches. Eaton Company business establishments eventually spread all across Canada when Timothy’s family successors extended the Eaton empire. Timothy masterminded the company during the crucial period of its early development, spanning nearly 40 years. It was Timothy who implemented the concept of the "Department Store", in Canada, a concept which were already flourishing in London, Paris, and New York.

French-language Catalog

We do no know if there was any fifferences in the English and French lnguage editions of the Eatons catalog. We are not sure when Eatns began publishling their catalog in French.

Ad Copy

Here is the text of the ad copy for the various outfits. The ad copy here reads, "MOM finds here some fresh clothes for kids." There are five outfits shown. Note the popularity of the button-on styling.

A. Long pants play suit

The ad copy read, "Excitring costume for happy frolics. in broadcloth. Shirt with short sleeves buttoned to long pant. Dark blue only. Waists: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 6X. 610-017. Price per unit ... 98c"

B. Short pants play suit

The ad copy read, "Washable cotton cloth with lively colors. White blouse with colored trimming on which pants can be buttoned. Colors: white with blue; white with red. 610-008. Waists: 2, 4.6. Price per unit ... 49c"

C. Overall

The ad copy read, "Overall able to resist every rough game of an active kid! In broadcloth. Blue with a stripe. 610-009. Waists: 2,4, 6 Price ... 49c"

D. Shortpants play suit

The ad copy read, "Washable blue cotton clothing for play. Short sleeves. Buttoned blouse with short pant. 610-010. Waists 2, 4, 6. Price ... 50c

E. Shortpants play suit

The ad copy read, "Everyday broadcloth clothing dress. Short pant buttoned to the blouse. One pocket. Color: Marine. 610-019. Waists: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 6X. Price ... 79c

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Created: August 3, 2003
Last updated: August 3, 2003