Vintage Portrait of Early 20th Century Celebrity

This glass negative, captured by the Bain News Service between 1915 and 1920, features a subject identified as Elman. The Bain News Service was known for its extensive documentation of historical figures and events during the early 20th century, providing a crucial visual record of that era. The clarity and detail of glass negatives like this one make them valuable for understanding the fashion, social dynamics, and public figures of the time.

While specifics about Elman’s identity remain limited, the period in which this photograph was taken was marked by significant social change, including the lead-up to the Roaring Twenties, characterized by shifts in culture and technology. This image serves as a window into a transformative moment in history, illustrating the people who lived through it.