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1929 LA Laundry Truck Lamp Post Crash Glass Plate Negative Period Press Copy
Type: Glass Plate Negative (Period Press Copy Negative)
Subject: "New Method Laundry" Delivery Truck Crash / Crushed by Fallen Streetlight
Date of Event: April 9, 1929
Date of Negative: Circa 1929 (Period darkroom copy)
Location: 916 Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, California
Format / Size: Approx. 4" x 5"
Original Sleeve Included: Yes (Original newspaper archive production sleeve)
Description
Overview & ProvenanceOffered for sale is a compelling vintage 4" x 5" glass plate press negative documenting a bizarre automobile wreck in Los Angeles, California, on April 9, 1929, involving a commercial delivery truck crushed beneath a heavy cast-iron streetlamp.
Note on Status: This item is a genuine vintage period press copy negative produced circa 1929. When newsrooms like the Boston Herald-Traveler received wire photos or syndicate prints from out-of-state bureaus (such as Los Angeles), darkroom technicians re-photographed the physical photographic print on a copy stand onto a glass plate to produce metal halftone engravings for the morning paper. The sharp white photo-print borders from the original copy-stand setup are clearly visible along the outer image margins.
Original Envelope Transcriptions
The negative is housed in its original period newspaper filing envelope:
Image & Historical Context
Captured directly in front of storefronts at 916 Sunset Boulevard (with the clear period sign for "Sunset Hardware / Paints, Enamels, Oil" visible in the background), this dramatic urban street scene captures:
A vintage "New Method Laundry / Dry-Cleaning" panel delivery truck pinned under a massive, ornate cast-iron streetlight pole that sheared off at the base and crashed lengthwise across the hood and cab roof.
A mechanic or wrecker crewman in coveralls and cap working at the rear tire and bumper.
Suited spectators in fedoras and flat caps looking on from the sidewalk curb.
Incredible commercial vehicle sign-painting details, spare tire mount, and wood-spoke artillery wheels.
(The positive inversion preview image is provided solely for visual clarity to show contrast, sharpness, and subject matter; the physical item offered for sale is the antique glass plate negative and its original archive sleeve).
Physical Condition Assessment
Glass: Complete, solid, and structurally sound. There are no cracks, breaks, or hairline fractures through the glass pane. Outer glass edges display typical light handling chips and factory edge roughness confined strictly to the exterior margins.
Emulsion Layer: Clean, rich contrast and pin-sharp focus across the vehicle lettering, wreckage details, and background architecture. The plate shows minor, typical edge silver mirroring and light peripheral handling wear isolated to the blank outer copy borders.
Envelope: The printed manila production envelope is complete and well-preserved with natural age-toning, light handling creases, and fully legible period handwriting.
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)
