1924 World Fliers Douglas Cruiser Boston Plane East Boston Glass Negative OOAK
Original, one-of-a-kind (OOAK) camera-original antique 4x5 gelatin silver glass plate negative captured in September 1924: the U.S. Army Air Service Douglas World Cruiser (DWC) biplane \"BOSTON\" on the airfield ramp at East Boston Airport, surrounded by crowds and flight technicians upon returning to the United States during the first successful aerial circumnavigation of the globe.
Accompanied by its original vintage tan kraft darkroom morgue filing sleeve bearing contemporary newsroom documentation:
The Sleeve Inscription:
Name: World Fliers
Order: E. Boston Airport
Remarks: 1924
Historical & Aeronautical Significance:
In 1924, four open-cockpit Douglas World Cruisers set out from Seattle on a mission conducted by the U.S. Army Air Service: completing the first flight around the world. Over 175 days, the crews traversed 27,553 miles across extreme conditions. When the surviving aircraft touched down at East Boston Airport in early September 1924—the expedition\'s official re-entry point to the continental United States—thousands of spectators flooded the field to welcome the flyers.
Captured from the airfield apron by Boston Herald-Traveler staff photojournalist Leslie Jones:
The Aircraft Study: Centered on the flight line, the Liberty V-12 powered Douglas World Cruiser shows its nose cowling stenciled with the name \"BOSTON\". A mechanic works atop the upper engine decking beside the front radiator and propeller assembly.
The Assembled Spectators: A dense crowd of observers in fedoras, flat caps, suits, and overcoats surrounds the aircraft perimeter alongside ground crew personnel.
Boston Landmark Backdrop: Across Boston Harbor in the right background rises the silhouette of the Custom House Tower, rooting the scene directly in Boston maritime and civic history.
Tonal Fidelity: Continuous-tone silver gelatin gradation separating the doped fabric wings, dark metal engine cowl, field textures, and outdoor sky.
Specifications:
Format: Heavy antique silver gelatin 4x5 glass plate negative, exposed directly in a press camera in September 1924.
Archive Ephemera Included: Accompanied by the original vintage tan kraft darkroom morgue filing envelope.
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 finished photographs print 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 physical glass plate is structurally sound with no cracks, fractures, or perimeter glass breaks. The silver gelatin emulsion is clean, sharp, and stable throughout the entire image field, preserving fine definition across the painted aircraft markings, spectator attire, and background architectural landmarks. Displays only minor edge silvering and faint handling wear strictly along the extreme outer rebate borders outside the primary image area. Accompanied by the original period kraft morgue filing sleeve.
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)
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