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Orange, Virginia, circa 1910. "Woodberry Forest Gym Team." Our second look at these prep-school superheroes. Harris & Ewing glass negative. View full size.
Given the smirk, I'd say the guy on the right choose the uniforms.
I nearly choked on my lunchtime sandwich when I saw this pic -- it looked for all the world like an assembly of superheroes!
On closer inspection -- after the guffaws had died away -- I saw that there must have been a strict layering sequence when getting dressed.
First came those very lengthy sleeveless tank-tops. Most of the bottoms of these items are scrunched up around the nether regions, indicating that they also served as underpants. Then came the tights, into which the long tank-tops were tucked and scrunched.
Finally the wearer stepped into the "man-kini" (Borat would be proud of these chaps) and then belt and calf-height boots. All that's missing is a cape.
Something about the uniforms and the stance of the athletes reminds me of the 1930s Buck Rogers movies. Think it's the white lace-up boots.
Aside from the manager, two guys are wearing trousers instead of tights.
The kid in the suit was probably the team's manager, and displays the traditional Student Manager Smirk seen in many athletic class photos.
What's with the guy in the back row, far left? How come he gets to wear pants, while the rest of the team are wearing tights?
could also have been titled "The Little Whopper."
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