1921 Portrait of Influential Early 20th Century Leader

This historical photograph captures McCormack, taken on May 2, 1921, by the Bain News Service. McCormack, a prominent figure of the early 20th century, was known for his contributions to the American music scene as a celebrated tenor. This image represents a significant moment in his career, highlighting the golden age of vocal performance when artists began to gain widespread fame through emerging media.

The photograph is a glass negative, an early photographic format that helped preserve sharp detail and clarity. Glass negatives like this one were widely used during the early 1900s for their ability to produce high-quality images for newspapers and magazines. This particular date places it during a period when McCormack was increasingly appearing in concert halls and on recordings, showcasing the evolving world of popular music and the prominence of live performances in American culture.