“Early 20th Century Portrait of Thos. McCarthy”

This glass negative features Thos. McCarthy, captured by a Bain News Service photographer between 1915 and 1920. McCarthys identity hints at the daily life and influential figures of early 20th-century America, a time marked by significant social and political changes. The Bain News Service, which specialized in photojournalism, aimed to document important moments and personalities, helping to create a visual record of the era.

Photographs like this one were often used for news publications and public relations, showcasing prominent individuals of the time. The glass negative process, developed in the 19th century, allowed for greater detail and clarity, making these images valuable for historians and enthusiasts alike. This specific negative contributes to our understanding of the people who shaped the cultural and political landscape in the years leading up to the Roaring Twenties.