Historic 1917 Portrait of Future NYC Mayor La Guardia

This glass negative captures a moment featuring F. H. La Guardia, a prominent American politician who would later serve as the Mayor of New York City from 1934 to 1945. The photograph is dated February 26, 1917, during a period when La Guardia was deeply involved in New Yorks progressive politics. By this time, he was already known for advocating social reforms and public welfare initiatives, which would later define his tenure as mayor.

Taken by a photographer from the Bain News Service, this image documents La Guardias early career when he was serving as a U.S. Representative. At this time, he was known for his energetic personality and reform-oriented platform. The Bain News Service played a significant role in chronicling American public figures and events through photography, capturing notable personalities of the early 20th century. This photograph provides a visual link to a pivotal figure in American urban politics during a transformative era.