Boy on a fake beach
Click here to view it larger.
This one fooled me. I could tell it was a fake studio setting, but the way this boy is bundled up made me think it was a snow scene. Only later did I realize it’s a beach scene. Here is a photo of the photographer himself in his own studio setting, the same, or at least similar, to this one. The photographer is William Montag of Seaside, Oregon, and he’s included the date 1912. (It’s a real photo postcard with manufacturer’s markings of AZO with the four triangles pointing up, which dates it to 1904-1918, so that tracks.) The writing on the back [click on the image below] reads, “Helene Dear – The girls tell me you weren’t well dear – but I do hope that by the time this reaches you you are entirely over the attack and feeling yourself again. Isn’t this a cute picture of Kiddie – he is getting along so nicely down here I’m glad indeed that we came. Here’s much love dear and again the hope that you are well. Fondly, E.”
Pics of Then 
He looks like he stepped out of “Little Nemo in Slumberland,” which also tracks with your date range. The striped stockings with the gradated stripes are fascinating. And you do need to bundle up on Oregon beaches a lot of the time!
Yes to all this, particularly your point about chilly Oregon beaches, having experienced them myself.
Is that a clam shovel? It’s a little too big for him, lol.
Oh, it might be a clam shovel, now that you mention it. But you’re right, even propped up on that big driftwood, he’s not tall enough for it.
I absolutely love this, Matt. it is an incredibly unusual photo. Highly desirable!! 😄
Thanks, Katherine! Glad you like it.
I love those little shoes.
They’re cute, aren’t they?