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1916 Boy Scouts Harvard Stadium Rally Parade WW1 Homefront Glass Negative OOAK
Original, one-of-a-kind (OOAK) camera-original antique 4x5 gelatin silver glass plate negative captured in 1916: a spectacular early American Scouting and historic sports venue documentary photograph: a massive parade of uniformed Boy Scouts marching down the track inside Harvard Stadium before packed, cheering concrete grandstands during the 1916 Greater Boston Scout rally.
Accompanied by its original period tan kraft darkroom morgue filing sleeve bearing the original newsroom pen inscription:
Historical & Photographic Analysis:
Chartered by the United States Congress in June 1916, the Boy Scouts of America experienced explosive nationwide growth during the World War I preparedness movement. Harvard Stadium—completed in 1903 as the nation's first massive reinforced concrete collegiate stadium—served as the premier regional arena for mammoth civic gatherings, patriotic rallies, and mass athletic demonstrations.
Captured from the elevated stadium apron with magnificent wide-angle scope and depth by Boston Herald-Traveler staff photojournalist Leslie Jones:
The Scout Procession: A column of hundreds of young scouts in broad-brimmed campaign hats, neckerchiefs, and service uniforms marches along the stadium running track. Troop standard-bearers proudly carry guidons and a large flag featuring the classic BSA fleur-de-lis emblem.
The Harvard Stadium Grandstands: The colossal curved horseshoe of Harvard Stadium sweeps upward into the background, completely packed with thousands of spectators wearing period straw boaters, wool caps, and white summer dresses.
Atmospheric Depth: Crisp press lens resolution renders individual spectators in the upper tiers, trackside field marshals in three-piece suits, and the classic neoclassical concrete parapet walls bordering Soldiers Field.
Specifications:
Format: Heavy antique silver gelatin 4x5 glass plate negative, exposed directly in a press camera in 1916.
Archive Ephemera Included: Accompanied by the original vintage tan kraft darkroom morgue filing envelope bearing Leslie Jones's handwritten notes.
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 to Excellent antique condition. Heavy glass plate is structurally sound with no cracks, fractures, or perimeter glass breaks. The silver gelatin emulsion is clean, crisp, and stable throughout, capturing pinpoint clarity across the marching ranks and stadium grandstands. Displays only minor authentic edge silvering strictly along the extreme outer borders outside the primary image area. Accompanied by the original period kraft morgue filing sleeve.
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)
