Figure 1.-- We notice a Putnam & Sons ad in the local newspaperduring 1904. Their offerings in addition to suits offered a variety of boys' finishing, basically everything elso but the suit. There are additional illustrations of a boy in a shirt (or blouse), a boy in a turtle-neck sweater, a boy in a school peaked cap, and a boy in an underwaist with supporters and wearing long stockings. The only items of boys' clothing that seem to be missing are stockings and shoes (also suspenders for trousers), but these were undoubtedly available as well. The prices seem extremely low by today's standards and were probably low even for 1904. Here is the overcoat and furnishings part of the ad.

The ad also offered a variety of boys' finishing, basically everything elso but the suit. There are additional illustrations of a boy in a shirt (or blouse), a boy in a turtle-neck sweater, a boy in a school peaked cap, and a boy in an underwaist with supporters and wearing long stockings. The only items of boys' clothing that seem to be missing are stockings and shoes (also suspenders for trousers), but these were undoubtedly available as well. The prices seem extremely low by today's standards and were probably low even for 1904.

Stylish Overcoats

The ad copy read, "Boys’ Stylish Overcoats. The cool days have brought overcoats forward unexpectedly early. We’re ready with Overcoats and Reefers for fall or winter, for the boy of three years, with the Little Russian Overcoats or for his larger brother, 8 years to 16, with long swagger belt overcoats or Chesterfields. As to prices and kinds—the selection is broad enough to suit every purse. Overcoats $2.00 to $12.00."

Finishings

The Putnam ad coy reas, "Boys’ Furnishing Goods. Come here with the assurance of finding all of the little things your boy needs—the boy of three years and every boy until he grows into men’s sizes.
Boys’ Fine Street Gloves: In the new shades of red and tan—in both imported and domestic make. 95 cents to 75 cents.
Boys’ Handsome Scotch Wool and worsted gloves: a splendid lot of new patterns—all 20 cents.
Boys’ Mittens: In plain black double mittens and pretty fancy patterns—a lot of warm, double mittens, today 8 cents.
Boys’ Fancy Shirts: Made from Garner Percales, sizes 12 to 14. Full sizes, nicely made—separate cuffs, worth 50 cents. For only 25 cents.
Flannel blouses: In the new full colors with sailor emblems, for boys 3 years to 7, with Eton collars, in sizes 3 years to 13. Neatly made for 50 cents and 25 cents.
Boys’ Night Shirts: All sizes, cut full and long, from a nice heavy cotton, plain or neatly taped.
Sleeping Suits Of Damet flannel, for little boys 2 to 7. In pretty patterns—complete suit 38 cents. [We are not sure what a seepinf suit was, perhaps something like footed pajamas.]
Boys’ Pajamas: Of neat patterns, Damet flannel, well proportioned and nice fitting garments up to size 8. 69 cents.
Boys’ Sweaters. Made with roll collar or turtle neck—in Oxford or garnet, in worsted and wool, for $1.50. 95 cents with a special bargain. A heavy Oxford sweater for 45 cents.
Boys’ New Neckwear: Fine silk four-in-hand and Toch Scarfs—solid colors and new fancy silks. 23 cents. Windsor Scarfs. In all the new colors, brown, garnet, navy, national blue, black and white, two widths, for 25 and 10 cents.
Boys’ Underwear: In the small sizes to fit boys 3 to 5, in natural wool, white merino, white wool and Jerseys—a complete stock in many good qualities, 69 cents, 48 cents, 33 cents. Down to 12 ½ cents.
Boys’ Underwear: In large sizes—24 to 35, of natural wool and fine fleeced goods. Excellent qualities and fine fitting, 48 cents.
Boys’ Fleeced Underwear: Twenty dozens more today of this wonderful underwear—size of shirts and drawers 24 to 34. The popular Jaeger colors. Regular price 35 cents, for only 19 cents.
Boys’ Caps: In new fall Etons and Norfolks, Golf—in plain blue Cheviots and handsome mixtures. 50 and 25 cents.
Tams: A new lot of splendid Mohair Tams—20 dozens today—full 20 inch crowne, handsome colors. Regular for Tams for 35 cents. [Tams I think were mostly for yunger boys. Note that this was one of the few items not idetified as for boys. We think tams were more commonly won by girls. ]
Boys’ Underwaists: with and without hose supporters—buttons strongly taped so as to stay on. Waists all double seams, for 50 and 25 cents.
Boys’ Hose Supporters: Three sizes—with nice, strong grips—good elastic. Regular price 10 cents, for pair, 5 cents.
Boys’ Collars: Every new style of standing, new wing collars, high band, turn over—sizes 12 to 14., 10 cents.
Boys’ Eton Collars: Boys’ Eton colars, all sizes, perfect fitting, 10 cents.
Boys’ Sleeve Links: New and pretty designs selected to please the boy. 50, 25 and 15 cents.
Boys’ Collar and Cuff Buttons: In sets. Four heavy plated buttons for 5

Navigate the Boys' Historical Clothing Web Site:
[Introduction] [Activities] [Biographies] [Chronology] [Cloth and textiles] [Clothing styles] [Countries] [Topics]
[Bibliographies] [Contributions] [FAQs] [Glossaries] [Images] [Links] [Registration] [Tools]
[Boys' Clothing Home]

Navigate the Boys' Historical Clothing Web Site:
[Sailor hats] [Sailor suits] [Buster Brown suits] [Rugby suits] [Norfolk suits]
[Eton suits] [Rompers] [Tunics] [Smocks] [Pinafores] [Long stockings] [Underwear]

Created: 11:45 PM 12/27/2009
Last updated: 7:32 AM 1/3/2010