Mother and baby picture

[suesyl]

Back in the old house discovering old treasures again! I found this tri-pic commercial mothers and babys, it is a metal framing, small about 5x9. I did not even wipe off the glass as I was afraid of damageing it. Does it have any value because it was commercially produced? I'm not very good yet at dating by hair styles and clothing so what would the age be? Thanks for your help.

[Rauville]

I think most of these date back to the early 1920's. My Mother was born and raised in a sod house from that time period, and her mementos included a set very similar to yours.

[mart]

Dating the pics does not tell when the set was made !! These were very popular with mother and sweet faced babies about the same time that the Gerber baby was popular !! Can`t remember the year till I look but I think mid to late 30`s ~!!

[bigwull]

1928..was the start of Gerber babies

[mart]

Earlier than I thought without looking !!

[cogar]

It's quite possible that the Gerber babies "sparked" the production/sale of those tri-pics ...... and if so, would mean no earlier than 1931-33.

[mart]

So I wasn`t that far off after all !!

[ghopper1924]

No. The "cult" of semtimentalizing children, especially babies, goes back decades further than that, into the 19th century. Judging by the hairstyles and clothing, I'd say this is more like 1910-15 at the latest.

I'd go ahead and clean the outside of the glass....carefully! I don't really know the value on this, but $50.00 seems generous. I'd keep it for a baby's bedroom, bathroom, that kind of thing.

[mart]

Just don`t spray the glass with Windex !! Use a bit of alcohol sprayed on a cloth or tissue then wipe it !!

[ghopper1924]

Just don`t spray the glass with Windex !! Use a bit of alcohol sprayed on a cloth or tissue then wipe it !!

Right!

[frogpatch]

I like using a mixture of vinegar and water as it won't accidentally remove anything but dirt. Alcohol is fine too but just be careful. To me these look like the 1920's. I have some ads from the 1910-1930 online. I would like to see the colors of the graphics better also.   

[Ipcress]

They look like repros. The frames aren't 1920's. You should be able to remove them and then looking at the printing style

[ghopper1924]

I took a second look,  and 1920s may be right after all. The mom on the left looks like a Gibson Girl,  which would in fact date her to ca. 1900 - 1910. The other two,  however,  look like they've got bobs, which would date them to the 20s.