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1921 Boston Immigrants Mayflower Steamer Police Boat Glass Plate Negative OOAK
Exceptional, one-of-a-kind (OOAK) camera-original antique 4x5 gelatin silver glass plate negative captured on June 11, 1921, by legendary Boston Herald-Traveler staff photojournalist Leslie Jones, documenting the passenger steamer Mayflower packed to capacity with European steerage immigrants, trunks, and supplies being transferred under armed police escort to Deer Island in Boston Harbor.
Shot from high above on the ocean liner deck looking down into the harbor slip, this extraordinary high-angle maritime documentary photograph captures the unfolding drama surrounding the passage of the Emergency Quota Act of May 1921:
The bow and multi-tiered open decks of the steamer Mayflower (Nantasket Beach Line) crowded with hundreds of detained European immigrants and stacked high with trunks, wicker luggage baskets, and provisions.
An armed Boston Harbor police patrol launch (Watchman) cruising in tight proximity alongside the vessel\'s starboard bow to guard against escape or overboard jumps.
Background wharf architecture showing the stone and brick immigration pier warehouse, wooden harbor bulkheads, and water ripples trailing the escort launch.
The negative exhibits spectacular optical sharpness, tonal balance, and peerless historical significance:
Distinct period ship lettering on the white hull and pilothouse: \"N.B. Co. / Nantasket Beach Line / MAYFLOWER\".
Deep shadow blacks and crisp water surface highlights characteristic of a direct first-generation camera-negative exposure.
Format: Heavy antique silver gelatin glass plate negative, measuring approximately 4x5 inches, exposed directly in Leslie Jones\'s press camera on June 11, 1921.
Archive Sleeves Included: Accompanied by two (2) original period paper darkroom filing envelopes containing contemporary handwritten newsroom records:
Outer tan kraft sleeve with bold newsroom grease pencil: \"Imigrants 1921\".
Inner linen sleeve inscribed with extensive contemporary narrative notes:\"Emmigrants rushed to Deer Island with supplies as angry friends & relatives plan plot to release foreigners. June 11, 1921. Police boat watchman near by in case they jump over board. / A-6\".
Please Note: This listing is for the original antique glass plate negative and its two (2) period paper archive sleeves 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 to Excellent antique condition. The heavy glass plate is structurally sound, stable, and completely intact with no cracks, fractures, or perimeter breaks. The emulsion is exceptionally sharp and well preserved, retaining brilliant contrast across the steamer decks, passengers, police launch, and harbor architecture. Displays standard authentic edge silver mirroring and minor perimeter handling marks along the outer borders consistent with an authentic 1921 working newspaper press negative. Accompanied by both original annotated newsroom sleeves.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)
