Pose with hand inserted in coat

[BetterSense]

http://www.mikelynaugh.com/VirtualCivilWar/New/Originals2/pages/Anderson.html

The above image is from the Civil war. That site has many interesting images from the civil war, probably wet plates?

Anyway, the pose--with the hand inserted into the partially unbuttoned coat--I have seen that in lots of old pictures. What's the explanation? Did people put their hand in their coat like that as a matter of course and the photographs just reflect a popular pose, such as a pose with the hands in the pockets?

 

[bobwysiwyg]

I've read it has to do with Freemasonry. Who knows for sure?

 

[Lee L]

First google result for: hand in coat pose
http://www.napoleon-series.org/faq/c_hand.html

 

[Denis K]

Similar to the question of why some tuck their tie in between the buttons on their shirt. Some say this is the proper dress for certain military situations, but even so, the question is how did these styles and poses get started.

 

[likemarlonbrando]

i heard that it had started with paintings. hands were hard to recreate so they were asked to be tucked into the jacket. I guess the look stayed popular for photographs as well.

 

[Anscojohn]

First google result for: hand in coat pose
http://www.napoleon-series.org/faq/c_hand.html

*******
All that artistic tradition notwithstanding, we APUGers know the REAL reason:
those gents were actually photographing the photographer. They are reaching in to trip the shutter on their waistcoat-button, cravat- knot, or stick-pin hidden- cameras, dontchaknow! (wink).

 

[Barry06GT]

.
Maybe he had cold hands.
.

 

[Lee L]

*******
All that artistic tradition notwithstanding, we APUGers know the REAL reason:
those gents were actually photographing the photographer. They are reaching in to trip the shutter on their waistcoat-button, cravat- knot, or stick-pin hidden- cameras, dontchaknow! (wink).

Actually they were all garment QC people, checking button spacing and stitching quality.

Lee

 

[MattKing]

It probably makes it easier to hold still for the (in modern terms) long time exposure.

Matt

 

[PeteZ8]

The clear answer is, obviously, that these photographs were done by early paparazzi. The hand was placed inside the coat because, due to the proper decorum of the time, publicly displaying a middle finger would have been a huge socail faux pas for the subject.

 

[Jeff Kubach]

They may have itchy stomachs!

Jeff

 

[Lee L]

Early form of 'texting' using morse code and a miniature telegraph key hidden in vest pocket.

 

[Sirius Glass]

They had GAS and could not get relief because computers, KEH and eBay did not exist.

Steve

 

[rpsawin]

Feeding his pet raccoon????

 

[tony lockerbie]

Not bad Pete, but the real reason is the high bean diet in the military in those days. His hand is firmly on his abdomen, explains the pained expression as well.

 

[Andy K]

I like this one: http://www.mikelynaugh.com/VirtualCivilWar/New/Originals2/pages/ArlingtonHouse.html

Reminds me of a photograph of the 'Bullingdon Club'.

 

[Dan Henderson]

First google result for: hand in coat pose
http://www.napoleon-series.org/faq/c_hand.html

According this source, "In real life," Miller observes, "the 'hand-held-in' was a common stance for men of breeding."

Sort of like how current "men of breeding" (or those wishing to appear so) walk around with the collars of their polo shirts turned up or with sweaters draped over their shoulders.

 

[BobNewYork]

Portraits of Napoleon and Nelson etc showed the same pose. My understanding was that, until the advent of the sewing machine, one was obliged to hold up one's trousers. The hand in the jacket, (and remember "low-risers" or "hipsters" had yet to become fashionable) was essential in order to distinguish early portraiture from early pornography. Lord Admiral Nelson, apparently very much annoyed by this pose requirement is reputed to have said to the artist: "All this fuss over a little thing like that !"

Bob H

 

[benjiboy]

Nelson and Napoleon were both men of very small stature about 5' 4" putting their hands in their coats made them look bigger and more important and impressive.

 

[removed account4]

it is comfortable to stand with your hand like that.