1928 US Navy Submarine USS S-19 Crew Boston Navy Yard Seamen Glass Negative OOAK

Original, one-of-a-kind (OOAK) camera-original antique 4x5 gelatin silver glass plate negative captured in 1928, documenting U.S. interwar naval history: the officers and enlisted crew of the S-class submarine USS S-19 (SS-124) posed along the deck railing and conning tower superstructure at the Boston Navy Yard (Charlestown).

Accompanied by its original vintage tan kraft filing sleeve and protective inner paper sleeve:

• The Sleeve Notation:

  "Sub S-19 Crew / 1928 - Navy Yard"

  With a period corner notation reading: "Great group photo"

Negative & Archival Analysis:

• True Camera-Original Field Exposure: An authentic, single-exposure press negative captured directly in a working field camera by Leslie Jones. It features crisp, natural focus across the crew’s dungarees, Dixie cup caps, deck cleats, and rigging, with genuine physical depth of field extending to the brick Charlestown shipyard workshops and smokestacks in the background. (An authentic camera notch / frame mark is visible in the upper right margin).

• The Vessel Markings: Bold white hull lettering "S-19" is emblazoned along the side deck plating, alongside the submarine division star insignia emblem mounted beside the conning tower hatch.

• The Crew Study: Over twenty submariners assemble across the deck and climb the bridge superstructure:

  • Officers in service dress blue double-breasted coats and peaked service caps stand to the left near the deck guns and mooring lines.

  • Enlisted sailors and machinists in classic work dungarees, chambray shirts, and white caps sit relaxed along the conning tower ladder, railings, and bridge Context:

    Commissioned in 1921, the USS S-19 was part of the Navy's formidable S-class ("Sugar boats") that formed the backbone of the American submarine fleet between the World Wars. Operating out of Submarine Division 4 and frequently serviced in the dry docks of the Boston Navy Yard, the S-19 conducted rigorous coastal patrol exercises and dive training throughout New England waters.

    Specifications:

    • Format: Heavy antique silver gelatin 4x5 glass plate negative, exposed directly in a press camera in 1928.

    • Archive Ephemera Included: Accompanied by the original vintage tan kraft morgue filing sleeve with pencil notations and its inner protective paper sleeve.

    Please Note: This listing is for the original antique glass plate negative, its period paper archive sleeve, and the inner protective paper slip only. Any positive photographic images shown in this listing are modern inverted digital scans provided solely as a visual representation to show what a finished photograph prints like. No physical paper photograph, modern print, or paper product of any kind is included with this purchase.

    Condition:

    Very Good antique condition. Heavy glass plate is structurally sound with no cracks, fractures, or perimeter chips. Emulsion is clean, sharp, and stable throughout the entire crew group, submarine superstructure, and industrial shipyard background. Shows only minor, authentic edge silvering strictly along the extreme outer borders outside the primary image area. Accompanied by the original period kraft morgue filing sleeve and inner paper slip.

    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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