Looking at Eight Antique Glass Plate Negatives - Shadows and Light

These large format glass plate negatives range in date from the 1890s to possibly 1920; may be all from the same photography studio.

I found these eight 4-inch x 5-inch glass plate negatives at a shop in Kansas, where dozens more were offered for sale at $4.00 each. What prizes they are! What time machines!

Video: Let’s Examine Eight Antique Glass Plate Negatives and Their Scans

Fine art photographer shows off 8 antique glass plate portraits he discovered in an antique shop in Kansas

The negatives and their positive scans

All of the negatives were made on 4-inch x 5-inch glass dry plates and seem to be from the same unidentified studio.

This negative shows two side-by-side portraits of the same young man in high-waisted pants and suspenders, one with hat and a sight smile, and one more serious without a hat.

Look at the incredible detail and range of tones achieved in this large format photograph. This striking portrait was probably made between 1900 and 1915.

This portrait of a young woman in a big hat was probably made between 1908 and 1912. I use AI to help me determine these dates and it identified fashion clues like that hat called a "picture hat," which peaked during those years.

AI also examined her blouse and hairstyle to help determine that timeframe. — This portrait of a young woman in a big hat was probably made between 1908 and 1912. I use AI to help me determine these dates and it identified fashion clues like that hat called a “picture hat,” which peaked during those years. AI also examined her blouse and hairstyle to help determine that timeframe.

Portrait of a young woman in a picture hat, probably photographed between 1908 and 1912.

This negative has been inscribed with a name -- it seems to say De Van, Mable and is numbered. Searches for that name came up empty. — This negative has been inscribed with a name — it seems to say De Van, Mable and is numbered. Searches for that name came up empty.

Portrait of Mable De Van.

This young lady with the name inscribed "Flora Fleeta," was probably photographed between 1905 and 1910, based on her so-called "lingerie dress," called that because of the fabric and use of lace elements. AI also identified her Gibson Girl hairstyle and the Edwardian era silhouette of her dress. — This young lady with the name inscribed “Flora Fleeta,” was probably photographed between 1905 and 1910, based on her so-called “lingerie dress,” called that because of the fabric and use of lace elements. AI also identified her Gibson Girl hairstyle and the Edwardian era silhouette of her dress.

A search for the name Flora Fleeta brought up only one person, Flora Fleeta Cunningham, who was born in 1867 in Georgia, and would have been too old for this portrait at this timeframe.

Here's a photograph of three young men -- two of them look like they could be brothers -- that AI said was dated to the 1905–1912 period, based on the style of their suits. — Here’s a photograph of three young men — two of them look like they could be brothers — that AI said was dated to the 1905–1912 period, based on the style of their suits.

There's so much detail and dynamic range in these glass plate negatives! The portraits feel like time capsules! I have never seen a fly as long as the one on the trousers of the fella on the right! — There’s so much detail and dynamic range in these glass plate negatives! The portraits feel like time capsules! I have never seen a fly as long as the one on the trousers of the fella on the right!

This unidentified young woman wears a locket or possible a pocket watch on a chain around her neck.

This unidentified young woman wears a locket or possible a pocket watch on a chain around her neck.

A portrait of two young women, possibly sisters?

And our final portrait shows two young women in matching dresses -- and oh my that's a lot of gingham. But it's the gingham that helped AI establish a date range of approximately 1898–1903. — And our final portrait shows two young women in matching dresses — and oh my that’s a lot of gingham. But it’s the gingham that helped AI establish a date range of approximately 1898–1903.

According to AI, gingham became an immensely popular fabric choice in the late 1890s for casual, everyday attire. The style—featuring high, stiffened collars and puffed sleeves—points toward a late 1890s construction that maintained its popularity in rural and Midwestern locales like Kansas into the very early 1900s. Their hairstyles and big straw boater hats -- which AI called quintessential accessories for young women during this five-year window -- were other signature points that helped AI determine the date range. — According to AI, gingham became an immensely popular fabric choice in the late 1890s for casual, everyday attire. The style—featuring high, stiffened collars and puffed sleeves—points toward a late 1890s construction that maintained its popularity in rural and Midwestern locales like Kansas into the very early 1900s. Their hairstyles and big straw boater hats — which AI called quintessential accessories for young women during this five-year window — were other signature points that helped AI determine the date range.

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