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| Fred Willard Calvin Moore (1908-1997) |
Fred was the first born of Willard Calvin and Blanche (Purdy) Moore. His parents were pretty well-to-do, so I have a lot of photos of him and his younger brother Jack, but this is one of my favorites. I love all the little details like his outfit, his feet (posed?), the little table he is leaning on, the flourish of the studio signature and, most of all, his little face.
Fred claimed that his mother wanted a girl so desperately that she dressed him in girl's clothes for the first few years of his life. However, in this photo, I think he looks very much like a boy in every way.
I am guessing he is about 3 1/2 here, which would make it the latter half of 1911.
What do you think?
(You can see him all grown up here in a recent "Wordless Wednesday" submission.)
What a wonderful photograph. By some strange coincidence I also have Moore's in my family tree and I have a picture of Harry Moore from about the same period and not too differently dressed. My Moores never strayed from Bradford, England however so I doubt whether they are linked.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great shot. And the clothes are very smart.
ReplyDeleteMy grandfather was born in 1910. I have an early picture of him here, dressed a little like a girl. It seems to have been the fashion in those days.
What a charming photo! He's an adorable child. I love the outfit -- it actually looks rather grown up for someone his age. You often see children in sailor suits, although this still has a touch of the nautical about it with the wide lapels and collar.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a take off on the Buster Brown suit. And the wonderful confusion on his face as he's being told to do things just "so" by the photographer. Let's hope he was taken out for an ice cream after this.
ReplyDeleteGreat shot of a sweet little man and I agree wholeheartedly with the previous comment :)
ReplyDeleteI followed the link to the grown-up Fred. From a cute little boy to a very handsome man!
ReplyDeleteWhat a handsome little man! Sharp dresser too!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a wonderful photo to have; I love his clothes and his pose, and as you say he has a lovely face. This is a real treasure.
ReplyDeleteThank you for all of the wonderful comments. It is so nice to have a place to share all of the family photos I have worked so hard to acquire.
ReplyDeleteJust my 2 cents worth..he looks older than 2 1/2 to me ..four or five..unless he was very tall or that table is very short. It is a lovely photo however old he is..that suit is somewhat sailorish in its look with the wide lapel:)
ReplyDeleteI have a photo taken about the same time. Mine has the studio label embossed and it includes the location. I cannot read the street but the city is Seattle
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for commenting, Gary!
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