Figure 1.--This RPPC photo postcard RPPC is a studio portrait of two boys and an infant, perhaps their little sister. The portrait is not dated. It has, however, an AZO stampbox which along with the tunic stuit and knickers suit suggests the 1910s. Notice the age gradeing. The younger boy wear a dressy tunic suit, a style we have not seen much before. Note the novel belt buckle. He looks to be about 7-8 years of age. His older brother wears a afairly standard double-breasted knickers suit. He looks to be about 13 years old. Both boys wear the standard long stockings and hightop shoes of the day. Click on the image for a fuller discussion.

Age grading was a common practive throughout Europe and North America, but it was not limited to those countries. It is common practic throughout history in a wide range of civilizations and coutries. The styles and fashions have changed. What is particularly notable is that it was especially pronoumced in Europe (primarily Western Europe) and North America as the Industrial Revolution progressed, more and more individuals benefitting from the wealth created were ever to indulge their fashion sence and display their increasing affluence. Thus we see some of the most pronounced examples of age grading during the late-19th and early-20th century Victorian and Edwardian Eras in the countries a rpidly industrializing. We note age grading in both America and Europe. This is notable because if you read many American history books you get the impression that America was a land of tenaments and poverty. Actually while this certainly existed, industrilization brought decent standrd of living to the average person for the first time. We see this in the wealthier countries because it was most notable among affluent families. Many of our examples are America, but this is in part because our American archive is so extensive. We do not yet have enough information to note any destincive country trends. We do have an American age gradeing page. There are many examples of age grading archived on HBC. We will start to link some of the here as examples. A good example of a family which practiced this approach is the Rockefellers. Another American image is two Pittsburg brothers (1906). We note an Louisiana family (1924). An example in England is three brothers in London's West End. An example in France is the Delesseps family. We see many other examples from Belgium, Germany, Italy, and many other countries.

America

Many of our examples of age grading `are America, but this is in part because our American archive is so extensive. But it is also because America was becoming more prosperous. America from an early point in the colonial era offered a prominant life style in such ways as diet or square footage of dwelling. After the Civil War, Anericans became more prosperous in monetary terms as well. And we can see this in the ways mothers dressed their children as well as the much larger photogrphic industy in America which recorded fashion trends. And styles like the Fauntleroy craze offered countless little details which could be use for age grading. In contrast to identical outfits, another popular fashion convention for children, some parents (mostly mothers) took an age-graded approach. Age grading was adopted in many other countries, but seems especially popular in America. There were different approaches here. Many mothers focused exclusively on clothing. Many age associated clothing conventions these have varied over time as well as the populatrity of age-graded clothing itself. Thus we see families with several children altering the outfits to some extent varying on the child's age. Sometimes the variations are minor such as just changeing the collar and/or neckwear. This was particularly popilar in the late 19th and vert-early 20th century when floppy bows and large collars were stylish. This also made in very easy tto add or remove age gradeing touches. There are many examples of age grading archived on HBC. We will start to link some of the here as examples. A good example of a family which practiced this approach is the Rockefellers. Another American image is two Pittsburg brothers (1906). We note an Louisiana family (1924).

Belgium

England

An example of age grading in England is three brothers in London's West End.

France

An example in France is the Delesseps family.

Germany

Italy

Created: 8:29 PM 4/15/2013
Last updated: 8:29 PM 4/15/2013