1/6th plate tintype. Private Collection
1/6th plate tintype of a well dressed blonde boy with the stern expression. The contrast between the light and dark gives it a haunting, surreal quality.
Having your picture taken was an event, and the pose gives this child an expression of gravity well beyond his years. It wasn’t uncommon for children to pose like mini adults. This is a great example of the practice. A beautiful tintype.
Bowlers And High Collars 
March 25th, 2015 at 5:27 pm
Poor little chap, it may have been for adding to the Christmas cards a practice that my family did much to my chagrin. Children didn’t have their own “fashion” identity until the early 60’s
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March 25th, 2015 at 5:44 pm
I’m sure he was rewarded with ice cream! I can see the child bolting away as soon as the picture’s taken. I can’t imagine being the photographer and trying to keep the child still to get this result (it’s already hard as it is today!). And I can see the parents in the background watching with eagle eyes. Ha ha! :)
Today at least children are allowed to be themselves on photos.
As for the fashion, I think it has everything to do with how children are perceived now versus back then. They worked very early on, at least the ones of the lower class. They were seen in a much different light, more like mini adults in training. Maybe the boys even more so than little girls.
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