Is this odd composition of children selling or trying on shoes from a book?

I purchased this old print with a nice wood frame and am trying to determine the subject matter and/or age/or wood type. Im guessing its at least 1930s (maybe prior?).

It appears to be of some kind of sale or dress up with children involving shoes and undergarments, which is a bit odd! I noticed there were also some kind of Asian looking lanterns on the line behind the girl in the pink frock.

Any guesses as to the origin of this composition (a book or story?), age based on the print, nails or frame, or what kind of wood the frame is would be lovely. I thought the lad in the top hat looks rather Harry Potterish...

Thank you

 

Looks like a chromolithograph of children playing dress-up.

 

Defintely not that. This is a glorification of 19thc exploitative child labour, making children work selling clothes and shoes that don't fit.

 

Don't think so.

The Game of Playing Department Store:


https://www.newyorkalmanack.com/2013/02/19th-century-games-lets-play-department-store/

https://www.nyhistory.org/exhibit/game-playing-department-store

 

Looks like the original for what MOS found!!! NICE find BTW!!! Looks like a plain Oak frame to me....

 

I didn't think I needed to add a smiley but here you go

 

moreotherstuff, I did not know about the game, but was about to say the are playing Department Store! Very cool.

James.

 

Not finding yours exactly, but here's a slightly different cover for the same game:

 

I never cease to be amazed by how quickly and accurately my questions are answered, many thanks to everyone! I am wondering how on earth you figured this out? I am so delighted to read the urls provided. If it is indeed from the fin de siecle and/or McLoughlin Bros Im pretty excited about that. I thought the frame was oak also (thanks for that).

This was a very peculiar find in a junk shop. I saw a wizened little old man with it in his hands. He was peering at it intently. I stepped up and asked if I could see it and he muttered 'its the old style, its the old style of printing'. When I complimented him on the pretty find he literally shoved it in my hands and raced off saying 'you take it, you take it, I have too many already'. I have often wondered if his wife berated him when he came home with more "junk". I was delighted to rescue this for a whopping $3.

 

The artist may be Reynold Jay.