Figure 1.--Here is one of the two matching images we have found. We at first believed this was a before an after portait. Here is what we thought was the before portrait. Put the cursor on the image to see what we thought was the after portrait. We have since concluded this was a brother-sister portrait.

We at first thought this was a before and after portait of a boy who has just had his curls cut (figure 1). Unfortunately there is no information available on these portraits. We have since changed our minds. Unfortunately there is no information on the mount other than an impressed griffith. Nor is there any inscription on the back of either portrait. The children are not identified. They look to be about 5 and 9 years old. We know the portraits are American, but do not know where they were taken. Based on the clothing and photographic mount we believe the portraits were taken in the early 1900s, probably about 1905.

Identity

The children are not identified. They look to be about 5 and 9 years old.

Location

We know the portraits are American, but do not know where they were taken.

Chronology

Based on the clothing and photographic mount we believe the portraits were taken in the early 1900s, probably about 1905.

Clothing

In this case the boy apparently was also breeched and the child in curls is also wearing a dress, albeit a dress with slight sailor styling. In the after portrait he is wearing a standard sailor suit.

Assessment

Perhaps it is not a before and after portrait and rather a brother-sister portait. Here we are just not sure. Perhaps our readers will have some insights.

Photographic Mount

Here the mount is a factor in estimating the date. Unfortunately there is no information on the mount other than an impressed griffith. The dark green mount is in a style popular in the early 20th century. The portraits may not have been taken on the same day, but we think they were taken at about the same time because of the mounging and background. After thinking it over, it seems to us that it would be unlikely that the samre precise mounts mounts would have been available if the two portraits would have been taken in settings separated by several years. It is not impossible, bur it strikes us as unlikely. Lbr>

Hair Bows

One reason we thought that the portraits are both of the same boy is the hair bows. This style of hair bows seems more common with boys than girls.

Reder Comment

A reader writes, "I have severe doubts this is the same child. The nose on the girl is more upturned, she has thinner lips and different eyes. Her head is shaped differently and she has a higher forehead as well." Another reader writes, "There is not the faintest doubt that the two images are of separate individuals. Eyes, nose, lips, and facial proportions make it obvious that this is not a before and after photograph, but a sibling photpgraph. I think there is no question that two different children are presented. The first is clearly a girl by virture of refinement of features. The second is a rather angular (as most boys are) young man. A geometric comparison of the faces (limited by slightly different camera angles) reveals the same conclusion: they may be siblings, but they are not the same person." Another reader agrees, "They are sister and brother. Their faces are just too different to be one person." Our readers may well be correct. As I said, it is difficult to discriminate between before and after portrits and sinling portraits. Varying camera angles can, however, create different looks.

Another reader writes, "Looking at the photographs (double portrait ) of the boy/boy picture of a f before and after look, I think it is the same child. Aerson can look very different with various hair styles. There is a different pose and a more serious look which also can make a person look different. I'm a portrait Photographer (professional). Te portrauts were were shot on ortho film the format was a 4X5 negitive. Here I think both portraits are of the same child. The child in the younger portrait looks about 7 years old and the in the older portrait about 11 years. This was common in these old portraits for the mother to bring the child back when he got older for an up dated portrait. That was what happened in this case.

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

Created: 9:18 PM 7/28/2006
Last edited: 1:27 AM 7/21/2007