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1920s Inventor Thomas Edison Formal Portrait Banner Glass Negative OOAK
Original, one-of-a-kind (OOAK) antique gelatin silver glass negative produced circa late 1920s to 1931: a magnificent, stately press morgue portrait of legendary American inventor Thomas Alva Edison (1847–1931), captured in an imposing seated three-quarter study complete with an in-emulsion ornate period title banner reading "• THOMAS A. EDISON •".
Accompanied by its original vintage tan kraft darkroom morgue filing sleeve with dual contemporary newsroom documentation:
Archival & Technical Nature of the Plate:
This glass plate represents a classic newsroom darkroom reference negative, prepared on the copy stand by metropolitan newspaper morgue technicians during the final years of Edison's life (or for immediate memorial/obituary syndication upon his passing in October 1931). To ensure flawless, pre-formatted publication across morning and evening editions, darkroom technicians copied Edison's definitive master studio portrait directly onto large-format silver gelatin glass, incorporating an authentic hand-lettered serif titling panel at the bottom margin. The full plate exposure preserves the authentic studio print edges, registration pins, and copy-stand border lines.
Visual details preserved in the silver gelatin emulsion:
Thomas Alva Edison: Captured in an introspective, dignified pose seated in a studio armchair, hands clasped, wearing a dark formal morning coat, high-collar white dress shirt, and black bowtie.
Facial Detail: Powerful, sharp continuous-tone silver definition across his silver hair, furrowed brow, determined expression, and weathered hands.
Typographic Panel: Integrated lower newsroom titling plate displaying ornate shaded lettering: "• THOMAS A. EDISON •" flanked by decorative corner flourishes.
Tonal Fidelity: Rich silver gelatin contrast balancing deep dark wool fabric shadows against luminous white linen highlights, with classic studio chiaroscuro backlighting.
Specifications:
Format: Heavy antique silver gelatin press glass negative, produced in darkroom circa late 1920s–1931.
Archive Ephemera: Accompanied by the original period tan kraft darkroom morgue filing envelope and inner index card.
Please Note: This listing is for the original antique glass 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. The heavy glass plate is structurally sound, stable, and completely intact with no cracks, fractures, breaks, or chips through the glass body. The silver gelatin emulsion is clean, crisp, and firmly adhered, retaining remarkable optical clarity across Edison's portrait and the lower typography. Natural period handling age and unexposed camera/copy margins remain along the glass perimeter. Accompanied by the original period kraft morgue filing sleeve (which exhibits vintage edge wear and a partial tear to the inner card top margin, as shown).
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)
