1920s Boston MA Ice Covered Fishing Schooner Winter Dories Glass Negative OOAK For Sale

1920s Boston MA Ice Covered Fishing Schooner Winter Dories Glass Negative OOAK

Original, one-of-a-kind (OOAK) camera-original antique 4x5 gelatin silver glass plate negative captured circa 1920–1928: a breathtaking masterwork of Atlantic maritime documentary photojournalism: a Gloucester/Boston fishing schooner arriving in port encased in massive sheets of frozen sea spray and icicles, with six hardy winter fishermen in oilskins and sou\'westers standing along the ice-glazed rail beside a stack of frozen dories.

Accompanied by its original vintage tan kraft darkroom filing sleeve:

• The Outer Sleeve Inscription:

  \"Ice covered fishing boats\"

Historical & Photographic Analysis:

Winter groundfishing on Georges Bank and the Grand Banks was widely considered the most perilous maritime trade in North America. When gale-force blizzards collided with sub-zero sea spray, ocean water froze instantly upon striking the vessels, burying hulls, shrouds, and deck equipment under dozens of tons of dangerous top-heavy ice. Crews worked continuously around the clock with clubs and axes to chop away ice before the schooners capsized.

Captured on the waterfront with stunning forensic detail by Boston Herald-Traveler photojournalist Leslie Jones:

• The Ice-Caked Schooner: Massive columns of frozen spray encase the shrouds, ratlines, deadeyes, and forestays like solid glacial pillars. Heavy sheets of frozen sea spray drape over the bulwarks and gunwales, forming rows of thick hanging icicles that trace the curve of the wooden hull.

• The Crew: Six exhausted fishermen in heavy wool coats, rubber boots, oilskin jackets, and brimmed sou\'wester storm hats lean against the iced waist of the ship, gazing toward the wharf as their vessel docks safely through floating chunks of harbor pancake ice.

• Deck Equipment: A nested stack of lapstrake wooden fishing dories sits lashed securely to the deck amidships, entirely contoured and smoothed over by thick layers of sea ice beneath the furled main boom and sail covers.

Specifications:

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

• Archive Ephemera Included: Accompanied by the original vintage tan kraft newspaper morgue filing sleeve.

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, fractures, or perimeter breaks. The silver gelatin emulsion is remarkably sharp, clean, and stable throughout, capturing extraordinary textural contrast across the sparkling ice formations, frozen cordage, wood planking, and the weathered expressions of the crew. Displays 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.
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Combined shipping is available (with other glass negatives)