Elegant Gathering of the Astor Family Circa 1915

This historical photograph features three notable figures: V. Astor, Com. F.P. Forshew, and Mrs. Astor, captured expertly by the Bain News Service between 1915 and 1920. The Astor family was well-known in American society, with their wealth derived from real estate and business ventures. Vincent Astor, in particular, was an influential real estate developer and philanthropist, who significantly shaped New York City during the early 20th century.

Commodore Forshew served in the U.S. Navy and was known for his contributions during a transformative period for the Navy, as it was modernizing and expanding its fleet in response to global dynamics. This era marked the end of World War I, a time when military and civil society figures often intersected, reflecting the broader social currents of the time. The glass negative used for this photograph exemplifies a popular photographic technique in the early 1900s, allowing for clear and detailed images that captured the essence of personalities and events.