We are getting into the realm of serious cuteness here. Directly to the right of our international mom is this photo of two blond haired boys. The boy in the chair is swathed in lace, making the inexperienced think he is a girl, but the side part in the hair belies that temptation. He is also holding something unidentifiable in his hand, reminding me of when my daughter was very young how we would give her something to hold and it would distract her long enough for something to be done – like take a quick photo. The boy on the left looks like he left the coat of his Lord Fauntleroy suit elsewhere. The both look as though they might have just said “oh!”
This photo is number 46 in the Dobb Long Book. Directly above it is that cute photo of the little girl with her hair formed into a bow. The photographer in this case was Buck in Paola, KS.
This is a proud Sepia Saturday post. Click through to view beautiful sepia images from around the world.
Who Were They? 
The younger child is, I believe, holding a folded fan. How nice that this Kansan photographer’s managed to catch both of them with their mouth’s open, and the older boy with his fingers in mid-fidget. Well … nice for us now, not for the parents then, I suppose. “Keep Still! And Stop Fidgeting!” I can imagine my Dad saying to me.
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Sorry, should have written “mouths” – an inexcusable errant apostrophe that made its way into my post when I wasn’t paying attention!
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They are as cute as they can be..I hope the littlest one was tied in that chair:)
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I agree with Brett there is a certain movement in the portrait that makes it feel much more alive than many of those stoney poses of the era.
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Two lovely boys. Mid-fidget is a good description. I Like the wicker chair too.
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I bet their expressions are because the photographer was doing something to capture their interest.
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Out of view the photographer has just brought in a live tiger and told the kidsters they can play with it. Thus the little boys look of possible concern.
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I love those expressions! Like you I have no idea what the little guy is holding. Possibly a rare antique gold thing that the photographer gave him so he’s quit climbing off the chair. I see in the reflection of their pretty little eyes that the photographer’s head has just exploded. Too bad he did not survive to see the beautiful picture that resulted from him apoplexic melt down – but he was spared witnessing the rare antique gold thing falling to the floor and breaking into smithereens. Lovely photo!
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Great photo. So that’s a fan then. Not an iphone.
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I also think the photographer must have done something to get their attention. they are adorable. I didn’t know that the side-part was only used for boys; there’s a very useful bit of information. Thanks!
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Christine, yes until about 1900 or so boys wore their hair parted on the side and girls parted in the center. The farther back in the 19th century the more consistently you will see this.
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My first thought is the young’n is holding a fan with the fan edge towards him. They are both adorable. No guy likes to hear that but they are.
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I love this picture, and once zooming in and looking around, I spotted the young lads boots. They look slightly creased, as though they are made of very soft leather, but I bet his shorts were heavy and scratchy! :-) Jo
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It certainly does look like a fan in the little guy’s hand. And it sure looks like he’s about to fall out of that pretty chair. I’d like to see the photo shot right after this one!
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This is a seriously cute photo. I am wondering of the little one is holding a fan? I love their clothing.
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I bet Momma gave her youngest her fan…
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They certainly were good to follow the attention of the camera man. It is a classic shot.
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Oh, the baby looks like he’s about to fall forward. I want to put out my hands and catch him. I wonder which the photographer (or assistant or parent) held that caught their attention and produced the “Oh!” from the boys. The clothing, chair, and screen are exquisite. Great photo!
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