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1929 Thomas Edison Charles Lindbergh Henry Ford Glass Plate Negative OOAKDescription
Original, one-of-a-kind (OOAK) camera-original antique 4x5 gelatin silver glass plate negative capturing one of the most celebrated gatherings of 20th-century American icons: Thomas Alva Edison, Charles Lindbergh, and Henry Ford, assembled together on an outdoor speaker’s stage during the nationwide 1929 Edison Scholarship Contest at Edison’s West Orange, New Jersey laboratory complex.
The period kraft filing sleeve is inscribed in vintage pencil:
"Edison / Lindy / Ford / 1929"
Historical Context:
In late July and early August 1929, Thomas Edison hosted 49 state-level high school boy finalists at his West Orange compound to compete for a four-year scholarship to MIT. Edison formed a legendary board of judges to evaluate the contestants, bringing together close friend and automotive titan Henry Ford, global aviation hero Charles Lindbergh, Eastman Kodak founder George Eastman, and academic leaders.
This remarkable press photograph documents the outdoor proceedings held beneath a large canvas pavilion canopy erected within the ivy-covered brick industrial courtyard:
On Stage: Thomas Edison stands prominently at center in his distinctive light-colored suit, speaking directly into a cluster of vintage carbon broadcast microphones and carbon-ring ribbon mics.
The Candidates & Press: In the foreground, the young student finalists sit attentively in rows of wooden folding chairs, surrounded by potted ferns and palms, while newsmen, lab workers, and onlookers observe from the surrounding brick factory windows and courtyard edges.
Specifications:
Format: Heavy antique silver gelatin glass plate negative, exposed directly in a press camera in late summer 1929.
Archive Sleeve Included: Accompanied by its original vintage tan kraft darkroom filing sleeve, bearing authentic period pencil notations: "Edison / Lindy / Ford / 1929".
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 a finished photograph prints 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 or hairline fractures. Emulsion exhibits crisp sharpness, balanced tonal gradations, and exceptional detail throughout the stage, subjects, and courtyard audience. Displays authentic age-appropriate edge mirroring/silvering along the perimeter borders well away from the primary subject composition. Accompanied by the original period kraft studio filing sleeve with vintage pencil notations.
The glass plate negative measures 4 x 5In.
If you collect glass negatives, please check out our collection in our store. We are currently listing thousands of original glass photo negatives from this DJD collection through the remainder of the year. Follow our store, and feel free to reach out about any questions about the negatives in this collection.
Ships with extreme care in archival materials to ensure safe transit. Feel free to reach out with any requests or questions).
Combined shipping is available (with other glass negatives)
