Figure 1.--Here we see Franklin at about 2 years of age, probably in 1882. Note the embroidered collar.

HBC does not have a lot of information on the dresses that Franklin wore. Several authors mention that he did wear dresses, but provide few details on the styles he wore or what he wore on different occasions. We have several photographic portraits, but mother may have just dressed him in his best dresses for these portraits. Dresses styled for boys were available in the 1880s, but there is nothing boyish about his dress in the several photographs we have noted. They look suitable for a girl with lace and ruffle trim, rather like a child's best party dress. We notice one stule with out flounces, but a large embroidered collar. They are, however, somewhat simple styles. We have seen girls at the time wearing much more elaborately decorated dresses. The ones I have seen are all white. Some are worn with colored waist sashes. We are not sure about the colors of the sashes. We are also not sure if he had play dresses. Given the fact that his parents were rich, perhaps there were no play clothes as such. Here we just do not know.