Maine On Glass: The Early Twentieth Century in Glass Plate Photography

In 1906, 200,000 postcards were mailed from Coney Island, and in 1913, 968,000,000 were sent in the U.S. The Eastern Illustrating & Publishing Company produced "real photo postcards" in the form of silver gelatin prints, making it the largest U.S. manufacturer of "genuine" photo postcards. This book contains images from 22,000 glass plate negatives created by the Eastern company between 1909 and World War II, providing a unique archive of early twentieth-century Maine architectural photography.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 01 August 2023
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

Postcards, reminiscent of the era's Instagram, held a prominent place in the early 20th century. In a remarkable day in September 1906, an astounding 200 million postcards were mailed from Coney Island. By 1913, the United States had dispatched a staggering 968 million postcards, with an average of more than seven per person. While the majority of postcards during this time were mass-produced using lithograph or letterpress techniques, the Eastern Illustrating & Publishing Company emerged as a pioneer in producing "real photo postcards." These postcards featured silver gelatin prints created by exposing negatives onto photo paper card stock and developing them in a traditional wet darkroom. Eastern, renowned as the largest U.S. manufacturer of "genuine" photo postcards, amassed a collection of 22,000 glass plate negatives between 1909 and World War II. This remarkable archive, now housed at the Penobscot Marine Museum, stands as an unparalleled treasure trove of early 20th-century Maine architectural photography. It offers a captivating journey through the state's countryside, villages, and towns, accompanied by the insightful commentary of three historians who skillfully bring these vistas to life. Whether you're a resident of Maine, an expatriate, or a visitor, this book promises hours of delightful exploration and discovery, providing a unique perspective on the rich history and beauty of the Pine Tree State.

Weight: 835g
Dimension: 249 x 230 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781684751174