Collecting Glass Plate Negatives: Saving Images Of The Past
05.09.08 By The Dean 
See picture at the end
Our home is decorated with antiques and collections, as it’s our belief these items should not be hidden away just to possess them. Many items that have a functional purpose, are still used as intended.
But glass negatives do not lend themselves to display. So they sit in a cabinet in the dark room that Wifey uses as her Ebay photo shoot area. I can justify having them and breaking my “Display It If You Collect It” rule, by insisting I’m a savior of old images, rescuing the past with the hope future generations can see these images and understand the incredible work of these early photographers, especially with photos of everyday life with ordinary people.
My last blog showed some of the first batch of seventeen glass negatives I purchased at auction included in a box lot with a tiny spy camera that I was bidding on. I have added to my negative collection selectively over these last fifteen years with an eye toward interesting subjects, not just landscapes or portraits.
Here are some I think you will enjoy seeing. I have reversed the negatives digitally, to show what the printed pictures would look like. Note the rough condition of some. Also study the backgrounds for interesting items, it’s always the details that delight the viewer.
Common portrait of a woman at the end of the century, in a garden, probably wearing a wedding dress.
While early photos of guitar players might be rare, I find the wood stove interesting.
Sitting at her spinning wheel in this sparsely decorated room with the spindly looking plant, our photographer has captured a pensive look in natural window light.
It must have been a snowy winter when this shot was taken,
Our dapper gentleman is loading a shotgun, in this wonderful outdoor photo.
In the same batch, this Milwaukee Country Club Trophy is for Shooting.
Check out this room, with the gentleman sitting at the typewriter in an office chair and using two hands to type. Note! the great stove in the background with a statuette atop, the laundry drying in the corner, wash basket on the floor.
Check out the shoes on this cross dresser, need I say more.
Have you ever seen a better copy of Huck Finn? Of course Huck didn’t live on this mansion lined street.
Are these the mothers?
And who can resist chickens in a farm yard?
This one is actually a positive print on glass. Our Gang Comedy In The Streets Of Old Milwaukee. Note the Pabst Beer Sign on Tony Rott’s Saloon and dated 1921.
Now lastly, here is what our young lady looks like from the teaser in my last blog.
These glass negatives are found at all antique and collectible venues, but require a watchful eye to spot.
They come in many sizes and I have some in five different configurations from 4-1/4”x 4-1/4” square to 5” x 7” I also have regular negatives and tin type photos in my collection.
Share with us your collection.
---
Article Tags: auctions, camera, collectibles, dark room, Glass Negatives, photo, photograph, toy camera, vintage================
Gotta Collect? Then You Gotta Connect - Join our Collectors’ Community!
July 19th, 2008 at 5:10 pm
We are looking for a small size glass negative of Egypt or the middle east- something recognizable like a camel or pyramid or something
August 3rd, 2008 at 12:36 pm
Greetings. I found my way to your blog by Googling ‘displaying glass negatives.” Recently I have come into possession of several vintage glass negatives, and wondered if/how they could be displayed. I am pretty handy at creating shadow boxes and other unusual display frames for odd pieces, including wiring them for interior lighting. I was wondering if that would be a decent way to display some of these negs – the images are just so incredible and compelling (so “familiar” but so anonymous at the same time). I can see where you stated that glass negs don’t lend themselves to display, but I wondered if you thought displaying them in a shadow box that could backlight them would be interesting.
Any info/opinion would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time and trouble.
You have some amazing images – I never knew these things existed and now I’m hooked, I think. =)
December 20th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
i have just resently found a few plate glass negatives while i was at work. i asked about them at a locale camera store and a guy said that they might be worth something. i was just wondering if anyone had any information for me about them because i have never even heard of them before.
thanks
December 20th, 2008 at 6:44 pm
Brad,
Glass plate negatives and magic lantern sildes are always a great find, but selling prices vary by size, quality, subject and general appeal. And one most important factor is finding the right buyer. Collectors Quest now offers a channel for selling your items right on our site, just try the “Market Place” tab at top.
As far as pricing your items without seeing or knowing the details of each is most difficult. I can tell you that most of the ones I purchase are under ten dollars each, and often in batches where the individual price comes out to about two to three apiece.
Lovely ladies, adorable animals or work horses, long lost buildings, street scenes with antique autos, industrial interior or equipment shots, scenes with reconizible advertising, famous people, Black people, American Indians, sports events with identifiable teams or players, and some cute babies, are most in demand.
Most image collectors are interested in the photograph, or positive image rather then a negative, but I have a B&W darkroom and some day will get the time to print all my glass plates.
Thank you for reading my post,and continue to enjoy Collectors Quest.
The Dean
February 1st, 2009 at 6:00 pm
Hello,
I just came across your site a few minutes ago while searching for information. My husband has 2 large boxes of glass negatives that are from the very early 1900’s it appears, They are mostly buildings of our city, and of some historical landmarks, and some that are no longer in existance. We would like information on possible value, interested buyers, etc, but haven’t a clue where to start, as the antique business is new to us. We are from Bay City, Michigan. Thanks for any and all information.
February 2nd, 2009 at 2:03 pm
Thank you for your interest in my Collectors Quest posting on antique glass negatives. First, I might suggest contacting your local historical soecity, I’m sure they would have great interest in preserving the history contained in these old pieces. I don’t know if they have budget for purchases, you might call to find out.
As for value, I see prices all over the map, so don’t be surprised to see some at antique stores for a few dollars, to over $10. Normally I purchase single copies under $5. in very good condition with clear image of interest. Street scenes with old autos and horses, men working, boats, ships – especially identifible Great Lakes ships, sports – especially women playing golf or tennis, visible advertising, building names, ladies in bustles and big hats or inside buildings with turn of the century machines. all have great interest. Large format negatives are rare, and usually priced higher even if the subject is dull, and since I can not fit them into my enlarger, I usually pass them up, unless they are exceptional.
Large selections are often priced as a group and rarely do I find enough good ones to justify a purchase, as subject and condition are important.
Since your collection is from Bay City and if your main interest is in selling the lot, let me suggest contacting local antique stores or malls. Some malls have consignment cases where you can display your items for sale, others may offer to purchase them outright. (Please remember to check costs and policy on consignments, some have automatic reductions on the sell price at set dates. plus hidden fees i.e. credit card charges). Remember that dealers will offer a price based on their experience and how long the might have to hold the collection before it sells.
Please continue to visit Collectors Quest to learn more about the collecting world. We’re a big community.
The Dean