1920s Boston Mayor James Michael Curley Walking In City Hall Glass Neg OOAK For Sale

1920s Boston Mayor James Michael Curley Walking In City Hall Glass Neg OOAK

Original, one-of-a-kind (OOAK) camera-original antique 4x5 gelatin silver glass plate negative captured circa 1920s: an iconic Massachusetts political portrait capturing the essence of Boston power: four-term Boston Mayor and future Governor James Michael Curley striding through the grand hallways of Boston City Hall past an ornate staircase balustrade beneath a crystal chandelier.

Accompanied by its original period tan kraft darkroom morgue filing sleeve:

• The Sleeve Inscription:

  Mayor Curley

Historical & Political Analysis:

Few political figures shaped 20th-century urban America like James Michael Curley (1874–1958). Revered as the champion of Boston\'s working-class Irish immigrants and immortalized as \"The Rascal King,\" Curley served four terms as Mayor of Boston, a term as Governor of Massachusetts, and two terms in the U.S. House of Representatives. Known for his theatrical charisma, deep resonant speaking voice, and commanding physical presence, he dominated the city\'s political landscape for over four decades.

Captured in an authentic, unscripted journalistic moment by Boston Herald-Traveler staff photojournalist Leslie Jones:

• Curley in Motion: Dressed in a dark wool overcoat with velvet collar accents, vest, tie, and carrying his fedora hat at his hip, Curley is captured mid-stride exiting an inner chamber. His intense, focused expression exemplifies the forceful executive demeanor for which he was famous.

• The Interior Architecture: An extraordinary glimpse into early 20th-century municipal architecture. Above hangs a multi-lamp crystal gas/electric chandelier with ornate cut-glass drops; to the right sweeps a curved balustrade with turned wooden spindles framing the grand stairwell, set against tall six-panel molded double doors and dentil crown molding.

• Tonal & Darkroom Quality: Demonstrates superb press flash synchronization and ambient balance, capturing clean tonal separation between Curley\'s dark woolens and the cream-colored hall data-path-to-node=\"16\">

• Format: Heavy antique silver gelatin 4x5 glass plate negative, exposed directly in a press camera, circa 1920s.

• Archive Ephemera Included: Accompanied by the original vintage tan kraft darkroom morgue filing envelope.

Please Note: This listing is for the original antique glass plate negative and its period paper archive sleeve only. Any positive photographic images shown in this listing are modern inverted digital scans provided solely as a visual representation to show what finished photographs print like. No physical paper photograph, modern print, or paper product of any kind is included with this purchase.

Condition:

Very Good antique condition. Heavy glass plate is structurally sound with no cracks, breaks, or fractures through the glass. The silver gelatin emulsion across the primary image area—including Curley\'s face, clothing, and the chandelier—is sharp and stable. Displays authentic period newsroom age, including faint mottling/dust spots and minor edge silvering strictly along the outer borders outside the central composition. Accompanied by the original period kraft morgue filing sleeve.

The glass plate negative measures 4 x 5In.
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