1929 Curtiss Biplane Aircraft Engine Mechanics Hangar Glass Negatives (2) OOAK For Sale

Pair of original, one-of-a-kind (OOAK) camera-original antique 4x5 gelatin silver glass plate negatives captured on June 2, 1929: an extraordinary pair of original in-camera press field negatives documenting behind-the-scenes Golden Age aviation maintenance: hangar mechanics servicing and pressure-cleaning the uncovered Curtiss V-12 engine of a Curtiss biplane racer/pursuit aircraft at East Boston Airport.

Accompanied by the original period tan kraft darkroom filing sleeve and two matching period handwritten archive slips:

• The Outer Envelope Inscription:

  "Cleaning Motor of / Curtiss Plane / East Boston Airport / June 2, 1929"

• Matching Period Inserts (2):

  "Cleaning the motor of a Curtiss Biplane. E. Boston Airport. June 2, 1929"

During the late 1920s, East Boston Airport (now Logan International) was a vital hub for military, commercial, and air-racing operations. High-performance Curtiss biplanes, equipped with the revolutionary liquid-cooled Curtiss D-12 engine and Curtiss-Reed duralumin metal propellers, required meticulous maintenance to maintain peak operational performance.

Captured directly in-camera by Boston Herald-Traveler photojournalist Leslie Jones inside the hangar:

• The Curtiss Biplane: Shows the aircraft with its nose cowlings removed, exposing the overhead-cam V-12 engine block, coolant manifolds, exhaust piping, front spinner assembly, and wire-braced landing gear with early narrow pneumatic tires.

• The Ground Service Equipment: A specialized mobile servicing rig is wheeled up to the front axle, consisting of an electric motor, flat-belt drive, pulley, pressure tank, and fluid hose used to degrease and flush the engine block.

• The Mechanics:

  • Negative 1: Captures a mechanic standing on a wooden stepladder working atop the cylinder heads, while a second mechanic in white coveralls with bold cursive "Curtiss" back embroidery cleans the side cowling, and a third mechanic in jumpsuits observes from the right.

  • Negative 2: Taken moments later from the same camera vantage point as the mechanics adjust their positions, showing two technicians on the work stand inspecting the valve covers and propeller data-path-to-node="16">

  • Format: Pair of two (2) heavy antique silver gelatin 4x5 glass plate negatives, exposed directly in a press camera in June 1929.

  • Archive Ephemera Included: Accompanied by the original vintage tan kraft filing sleeve and both period handwritten paper slips.

  Please Note: This listing is for the two (2) original antique glass plate negatives, the period paper archive sleeve, and the two (2) period paper inserts 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 photographs, modern prints, or paper products of any kind are included with this purchase.

  Condition:

  Both plates are in Very Good to Excellent antique condition. Heavy glass plates are structurally sound with no cracks, fractures, or chips. The silver gelatin emulsions are remarkably crisp, clean, and stable, capturing razor-sharp mechanical textures, engine casting marks, wiring, and facial expressions. Displays minor authentic handling silvering and typical vintage emulsion loss confined strictly to the extreme outer borders outside the primary image area. Accompanied by the original period kraft morgue filing sleeve and matching period handwritten slips.

  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)