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Finds and Interests
Some of you may know that I collect vintage photographs and negatives. I built a website called History in Photographs to highlight and share the collection. These are more than just simple snapshots; they give us a glimpse into history and leave us with questions.
I’ve selected a few of the most intriguing and am excited to share what some experts have told us about the hidden narratives and stories behind each photo.
For these photos, we worked with Meghan Boehmer, a historical interpreter, reenactor, and writer who has traveled thousands of miles to learn about historical locations, records, and figures. She has agreed to share her expertise in period clothing with me, hoping to enhance our understanding of the subjects in the photos. Take a look at what she was able to tell us about this photo.
A few aspects of this photograph tell us that it dates to about 1900. This man has a very obvious center part, a popular style at the beginning of the 20th century. The high stand collar is also indicative of the era. At that time, collars had to be thoroughly starched and often had a stiff structure inside to keep that crisp appearance.
The early 20th century was also a transitional period in men’s fashion. Later in the 19th century and into the 20th century, it was more common for men to wear their coats unbuttoned. Waistcoats (or vests) enhanced the look and were popular garments then. The three-piece suit defines the look of this period. Because the coat is open and more of the neckwear is shown, the knots of men’s ties became tighter and more distinguishable against the contrast of their shirts.
Finally, the lapels on men’s coats got progressively shorter as fashion developed into the 1910s. You can also tell that the photographer used a camera with a shorter exposure time, as this man has a lit cigar on his lap, which would prove problematic with a longer exposure time.