Figure 1.--This French boy looks to be about 15 years old. He was photographed for a post card, probably in the 1920s. One unanswered question is how accurate are these postcard images.

Post cards in the early 20th century served the purpose of modern greeting cards. Children ere popular images and they provide some interesting images of contemporary children's clothes.

This Card

A HBC contributor has provided this French post card. The card was a black and white photo that was hand colored, which was how color postcards were commonly produced until the 19??s.

The caption of the card from the sales description reads: " "1920's or 1930's vintage French tinted photo postcard of a young boy with tie and short pants, sitting at a desk in front of a book. An interesting photo of a teenager from the past."

Our contributor commented to the seller about how times have changed, and got the following response from her: "I completely agree with you. It's indeed amazing how times have changed. We can certainly regret those times when boys and girls were not forced to look like adults. Can you imagine getting a teenaged boy of today to wear a short pants suit like that? I think it looks kind of cool thought, sort of going back to a simpler time when boys were allowed and encouraged to be boys while they had the chance, rather than being made to look like miniature men."

Reader Comments

One HBC contributor has provided the following comments on this postcard.

The postcard of the French boy at his desk has much to tell us both about his clothes and his times. By the 1920's a worldwide expansion of wealth allowed people in the center of this prosperity to accord childhood a special status. Developmental needs of juveniles were better understood by this time. The demands of modern business also placed a premium on a well trained and educated workforce, and this inspired investment from governments and public and private associations. This postcard of a very nicely dressed young man at a desk, I think, depicts those themes--there is time and occasion now to dress up and to study and learn. I think this postcard also reflects a gentility and innocence, rarely observed today. If such a card were produced for today's market, it would probably have by the boy's mouth a cartoon balloon with a tasteless remark penned by some "witty" individual.

From what I've seen in French textbooks and old magazines, the young man's suit is likely reserved for special, dress-up occasions. It's similar to suits from the 1920's and 1930's worn by other French boys and Belgian boys, too. Being half French I can tell you that French people in general are careful about their appearance and manners. French grandparents and parents in general take great pride in dressing up their young, and the young people at an early age accept these values. I would think that this boy is not wearing a costume. That was probably his actualmsuit. So, this young man and his parents were very likely quite proud of his appearance. Although I'd guess, if they were like my OWN French (descended) relations, they would still think there's room for improvement!

French Post Cards

France in the 1920s was well known for its post card industry. They were commonly used at the time much as greeting cards are today. The French post card indusry was well nown throughout Europe. These cards were sold throughoutEurope. They were quite popular in England. Some of the cards had a rather risque nature--at least for the standards of the day. Actually in England the term "French post cards" means a risque one. But in fact the French post card industry produced a wide range of cards. Many of them featured children in idealized, sentamentalized scenes. Many of these cards are reproduced in HBC showing boys wearing kneepants or short pants, often with kneesocks and sometimes strap shoes.

Colors

Many early 20th century post cards were hand colored. This helps to date early photographs, but ir also maens that the coliors paintef on may not be accurate. In fact, HBC has no idea how to regard the colors painted on the black and white images. Did the postcard companies just paint on whatever they wanted or did they try to adhere to the original colors.

Flowers

HBC notes that many commercial post card images of French children show them, bith boys and girls with flowers. HBC belives that this has nothing to do with the boys themselves. Postcards picturing children were probably bought primarily by mothers. Apparently the flowers appeal to them.

Accuarcy

These images are staged photographs for commercial sale. HBC is not sure, however, how accurate these images are. Did this boy really wear this suit. Did the photograph the boy in his own suit or did the photogapher or company costume the boys in special clothes for the photograph. For some postcards, the clothes are definyelt not the clothes boys actually wore. In other postcards, like this one, is could well be a boy's actual clothes.

It's interesting that the fact the photo has been colored and the flowers are props fo the postcard raises doubts about the whole photo including the suit which looks quite authentic. Children are photographed in costume on some of these card. Some of the costumes in fact are much fancier than the clothes boysd actually wore. But there seems nothing exceptional about this boy's suit. It's well designed and made. Obviously this is a kid from a well-to-do family. But it fits too well to be a costume. One HBC contributor reports, "My recollection of French boys in the United States in the 1950's is that they wore clothes not unlike this."

Company

I am not sure what company printed this card, but it is marked PC Paris. It is number 6207. That number will indicate the date the card was printed if information is available from the company.

Date

HBC has very detailed information on types of Ameruican post cards and when each of these styles were popular. HBC does not yet have this type of information fpr French postcards.

Created: November 25, 2000
Last edited: November 25, 2000