Walter Johnson Jr Picture

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Posted By: Tim

A glass plate negative of Walter Johnson Jr was listed on Ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEDWX:IT&item=270242684179

Until recently I didn't know much about these types of negatives, but what I have learned is that most are 4" x 5" or 5" x 7" yet many other sizes are common. But I couldn't find any 1 3/4" x 2 1/2".

I sent the seller an email and asked how they acquired this item and if they had any idea how old it was. Their response was "I found them at an estate sale and judging from the clothes in the box with it I would say they're 1920's." So I checked to see what other items the seller had for sale and they had about 15-20 other negatives of this same size. Several were of other famous people, Teddy Roosevelt, Fatty Arbuckle, etc.

So I searched the web for any info on fake or reproduction glass negatives and came up empty. I researched the photographers listed in the picture, Harris and Ewing, and learned they were well know in Washington D.C. where Johnson lived.

Water Jr was born July 1, 1915 so the picture should have been taken around July of 1917.

To make a long story short I wanted this item, but something about it didn't set right with me.

Is there any information someone can share that will make me feel better (or worse) about not pursuing this auction more aggressively?

Here's the image produced by the negative.

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Posted By: davidcycleback

It's not original, but is vintage. They discontinued using glass for negatives in the 1930s, switching to the thin plastic film we are familiar with.

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Posted By: George Dreher

He debuted in the minor leagues in 1937. Not sure how old he lived to be.

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Posted By: Tim

"It's not original, but is vintage."

Thanks for your response. I actually came across your website when I was searching for info on glass plate negatives.

So how can you tell it's not original? Can you give me any tips or things to look for when it comes to glass negatives?

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Posted By: davidcycleback

The Walter Jr is a photo of a book page or something like that. You wouldn't have all those line designs and text in an original.

There's no great worry about buying glass negatives, as they are all antique-- 1930s or earlier. Same goes for glass slides. Just decide for yourself if the image looks good and what is a fair price. I suspect that the majority of glass negatives are originals. If there's nothing to indicate otherwise, a glass negative is likely original. And if it's not original, at least its antique.