1932 German Catapult Seaplane Junkers Ju 46 Europa D-2244 Glass Negative OOAK
Original, one-of-a-kind (OOAK) camera-original antique 4x5 gelatin silver glass plate negative captured circa 1932: a premier transatlantic aviation and maritime artifact: the famous German Luft Hansa shipboard catapult mail seaplane, a corrugated duralumin Junkers Ju 46fi christened "EUROPA" (Registration D-2244), docked on a harbor slipway with fuel crew and handlers.
Accompanied by its original vintage tan kraft darkroom morgue filing sleeve bearing contemporary newsroom documentation:
The Sleeve Inscription:
Plane
Historical & Aeronautical Significance:
In the early 1930s, the North German Lloyd shipping line equipped its Blue Riband ocean liners, the SS Bremen and SS Europa, with steam-powered deck catapults to launch long-range mail floatplanes up to 600 miles before reaching port. Developed specifically for this grueling catapult service by Junkers, the Ju 46 was an all-metal, low-wing floatplane built from reinforced corrugated duralumin, powered by a 600-horsepower radial engine designed to withstand the violent acceleration of deck launch. The aircraft shaved full days off international mail transit times between Europe and North America.
Captured along the waterfront ramp with breathtaking lens sharpness by Boston Herald-Traveler staff photojournalist Leslie Jones:
Aircraft Markings & Structure: Bold, crisp typography stands out along the corrugated fuselage flanks reading "EUROPA D-2244" and "LUFT-HANSA" behind the nose cowling. The rudder fin is crisply marked with the model designation "Ju 46 fi", registration "D 2244", and the iconic circular Luft Hansa flying crane roundel.
Ramp & Flight Line Details: The plane rests on twin catamaran floats secured to the timber ramp, surrounded by mechanics, attendants in suits, and crewmen operating a hand-pulled mobile fuel drum cart with dispensing hoses connected to the fuselage tanks.
Harbor Atmosphere: In the background, open water and the low silhouette of harbor breakwaters and distant commercial vessels complete the scene.
Tonal Fidelity: Rich continuous silver gelatin graduation separating corrugated metal highlights, dark fuselage paint, churning harbor water, and overcast coastal sky.
Specifications:
Format: Heavy antique silver gelatin 4x5 glass plate negative, exposed directly in a press camera, circa 1932.
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 heavy glass plate is structurally sound with no cracks, breaks, or fractures through the glass body. The silver gelatin emulsion is clean, sharp, and stable throughout the entire image field, preserving pristine resolution across the corrugated metal skin, manufacturer lettering, and mechanical details. Exhibits minor authentic emulsion lift and edge silvering confined strictly to the extreme upper and side borders outside the subject 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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