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Washington, D.C., circa 1920. "Harvey and William Peck and pets, E Street N.W." Harris & Ewing Collection glass negative. View full size.
Was at 1003 E Street NW in 1920.
The boys are wearing beanies, a popular choice of boys headgear in the day, up until the 1940s. The boy on the left is wearing a two-toned example. The variation that was highly popular with college freshmen included a propeller. They were made of four triangular sections with a button at the top. They sometimes came with a visor. Originally, they were worn by mechanics and tradesmen who needed to keep their hair out of their eyes, much like the short brimless caps worn by chefs, today.
Note the marmosets, one on the left corner of the cage and one being held be the shifty-eyed boy.
Good info on the watch fob. Now let's decipher the belt buckle on the right!
I don't have a clue!
[It's a monogram W. -tterrace]
That's what the watch fob says. With a large "CTC" in the middle.
It's a watch fob, as in pocket watch. What the logo is I don't have a clue.
or they are outside a synagogue.
You can bet the little guy in his left hand is trying to sell him insurance!
If these lads are observant Jews, as seems likely (otherwise I'm wrong about the hats), then those are skullcaps: yarmulke in Yiddish, kippah in Hebrew. They're usually worn on the crown of the head, but they could easily have slid forward considering both boys have their hands full with little animals. Anyone have an idea about that badge on the trousers of the guy on the left?
[Their caps are the beanies worn by a zillion kids of the era. - Dave]
Our two protagonists are wearing two of the most bizarre hats I've seen recently.
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