1928 Commander Byrd South Pole Fokker Plane Boston Harbor Glass Negative OOAK
Original, one-of-a-kind (OOAK) camera-original antique 4x5 gelatin silver glass plate negative captured in May 1928: a historic aviation and polar expedition artifact: Commander Richard E. Byrd’s South Pole expedition Fokker trimotor airplane being maneuvered across the airfield at East Boston to the harbor water’s edge to be fitted with seaplane pontoons.
Accompanied by both of its original vintage darkroom morgue filing sleeves bearing contemporary newsroom documentation:
The Outer Envelope Inscription:
Name: Byrd's Plane
The Inner Sleeve Inscription:
Byrds South Pole Plane being removed to the water edge for have pontoons fitted. 1928 - May -
Historical & Aeronautical Significance:
In the spring of 1928, preparations were in full swing in Boston for Commander Richard E. Byrd’s historic First Antarctic Expedition (1928–1930). At East Boston Airport, expedition aircraft—including the high-wing Fokker trimotor—underwent specialized testing. To evaluate water and ice handling capabilities, the multi-engine transport was fitted with heavy seaplane twin floats at the edge of Boston Harbor. This very same aircraft, the Fokker F.VIIa/3m Friendship, would make world history just weeks later in June 1928 when Wilmer Stultz, Louis Gordon, and passenger Amelia Earhart flew it across the Atlantic Ocean.
Captured with exceptional action clarity and ground-level perspective by Boston Herald-Traveler staff photojournalist Leslie Jones:
The Ground Maneuver: A large ground crew of airfield technicians, mechanics, and spectators in fedoras, wool coats, and flight gear manning rigid iron steering tow bars and pushing the wire-spoked temporary beaching gear across the airfield apron.
Aircraft Mechanical Details: The massive cantilever high wing dominates the upper frame, showcasing the uncowled wing-mounted Wright Whirlwind radial engine, cockpit glazing, engine nacelle struts, covered nose engine propeller shroud, and the bold hand-painted script "Fokker" trademark on the nose cowling.
Tonal Fidelity: Rich continuous silver gelatin graduation separating gleaming aluminum surfaces, weathered canvas fabric, work clothing textures, and the dirt airfield ramp.
Specifications:
Format: Heavy antique silver gelatin 4x5 glass plate negative, exposed directly in a press camera in May 1928.
Archive Ephemera Included: Accompanied by both the original vintage outer tan kraft darkroom filing envelope and the original inner archival sleeve.
Please Note: This listing is for the original antique glass plate negative and its period paper archive sleeves 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 and intact with no cracks, fractures, or perimeter breaks through the glass body. The silver gelatin emulsion is remarkably clean, sharp, and stable throughout the entire image field, capturing crisp focus across the aircraft fuselage, engine components, and crew figures. Displays only light handling wear along the extreme outer rebate borders outside the primary image area. Accompanied by both original period paper and kraft morgue filing sleeves.
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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