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Original 1911 Early British Boy Scouts Carnival / Fancy Dress Photograph – Cornwall – Union Jacks – Brittany InscriptionA wonderful and highly unusual original Edwardian photograph dating from 1911, showing an early gathering of British Boy Scouts participating in what appears to be a carnival, fête, pageant or fancy-dress procession.The approximately 6 x 4 inch photograph is packed with period detail. Numerous young Scouts can be seen wearing the distinctive early broad-brimmed Scout hats and neckerchiefs, gathered around traditional horse-drawn wagons.The procession also includes adults wearing elaborate and humorous fancy-dress costumes. One particularly striking participant appears as a Father Christmas/Santa-like figure with a long white beard, while others wear exaggerated top hats and theatrical or comic clothing.Several large Union Jack flags are prominently displayed, together with decorated wagons, banners and handwritten placards. It is a fascinating glimpse of the ceremonial, social and humorous side of the very early Boy Scout movement.Contemporary 1911 inscriptionOf particular interest is the extensive original handwritten presentation inscription associated with the photograph.It is signed by George Gilbert, addressed affectionately to “Mr. German,” and dated August 8, 1911.Gilbert describes the photograph as a memento and refers specifically to:“our trip to Brittany”The inscription humorously recalls their adventures and includes the memorable comment that they got through them:“without being run in — evidently the policeman did not see us.”Gilbert then wishes his friend a “good voyage” and success until they meet again.The inscription provides an unusually rich piece of contemporary context and provenance for the photograph.Possible Edward German connectionResearch is currently underway to determine whether the “Mr. German” addressed in the inscription could have been the noted English composer Edward German (1862–1936), composer of Merrie England and music associated with the 1911 Coronation of King George V.An inquiry has been made to the British Library, which holds the extensive Edward German archive, regarding George Gilbert and the reference to the Brittany journey.This possible identification has not been proven and is not being represented as a confirmed attribution. It is mentioned solely as an interesting avenue of ongoing historical research.Regardless of the recipient’s ultimate identity, this is an exceptionally evocative piece of early British Scouting and Edwardian social history, combining an early Scout gathering with a spectacular fancy-dress procession and extensive contemporary documentation.Date: 1911
Size: Approximately 6 x 4 inches (15.2 x 10.2 cm)
Subject: Early British Boy Scouts / carnival or fête / fancy dress procession
Location/association: Cornwall / Brittany
Inscribed by: George Gilbert
Dated: August 8, 1911
Format: Original period photographic print — not a modern reproductionCondition: Antique photograph with expected age-related wear, fading, surface marks and handling. Please examine all photographs carefully for the exact condition.A terrific image for collectors of early Boy Scouts, Scouting history, Edwardian photography, British social history, Cornwall, carnival and fête photographs, fancy dress, Union Jack imagery, or unusual historical photographs.
