Influential Early 20th-Century Entertainer Portrait

This photograph features Chas. Klein, a notable figure in early 20th-century America, captured on February 2, 2007. Klein, known for his contributions to the entertainment industry, was influential during a period when film and theater were evolving rapidly. His prominence reflects the shifting landscape of American culture, as entertainment became a central aspect of daily life for many citizens.

The image comes from the Bain News Service, a major player in early photojournalism that documented numerous aspects of American life in the early 1900s. This collection provides insight into the types of personalities that shaped the entertainment scene and how their influence persisted well into the modern era. The use of glass negatives, like the one featuring Klein, was common at the time, allowing for high-quality reproduction and preservation of images that would tell stories for generations. Analyzing photographs like this helps us understand the cultural context and historical significance of key figures in entertainment history.