Creepy Cute Kids - Tessa

For a short period in Victorian England it became fashionable to 'sponsor' non human children. These children were taken from their parents, who were often killed, and placed in a state school. Rich families would pay for their upkeep or, rarely, take them into their own homes. In return they would have a fashionable accessory to show off at parties.

At the height of the fad collectors cards were published featuring the children called 'Creepy Cute Kids' cards. Many different companies and individuals published cards with various styles, some drawn, few photographs, many exaggerated. It is believed that at the height of this fad there were only 20-30 children in the school, so it is likely many of the cards were not based on real children, but were made up to supply a continuous stock of cards.

Sadly, at the end of the fad which lasted less than three years, the school was shut down and the children discarded.

Jakuzzi's 'little monsters' July/25 3.04 109/140