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1888 Boston Copley Square – West End Street Railway – Historic Streetcar Photograph – 4.5\" x 3.5\" Copy Negative
Offered for sale is a vintage black-and-white photographic copy negative reproducing an early historical image of a streetcar at Copley Square in Boston, Massachusetts.
The accompanying identification envelope attributes the scene to the West End Street Railway and Boston Elevated Railway, with the original image dated 1888.
The photograph captures an early Boston streetcar on tracks in historic Copley Square, surrounded by impressive Victorian-era architecture.
Historical Background:
The West End Street Railway was organized in 1887 through the consolidation of several Boston-area street railway companies.
During the late 1880s, the company began transitioning from horse-drawn streetcars to electric trolley operations, introducing regular electric service in January 1889.
Copley Square was an important center of Boston\'s street railway network and remains one of the city\'s most recognizable historic locations.
This image documents the appearance of the square during the city\'s early street railway era, with prominent period buildings and streetcar infrastructure visible.
Negative Details:
Railway: West End Street Railway / Boston Elevated Railway historical attribution
Location: Copley Square, Boston, Massachusetts
Original Image Date: 1888, according to envelope
Subject: Early Boston streetcar and historic city architecture
Negative Dimensions: Approximately 4.5\" x 3.5\"
Format: Black-and-white photographic copy negative
Collection Reference: WPI Slide 993
Quantity: One photographic negative with accompanying identification envelope
Photographic Identification:
The accompanying envelope contains the following typewritten information:
Boston Elevated (West End St Rwy)
Copley Sq., Boston
1888
WPI slide 993
The original scene date and identification are presented as recorded on the envelope. The precise date of the photographed scene has not been independently pre-owned photographic copy negative showing signs of age, storage, and handling.
The negative reproduces an earlier printed or photographic image, including the original image borders and visible reproduction texture.
The original photograph exhibits a grainy, halftone-like appearance consistent with reproduction from a printed source.
Slight smell due to age.
Some surface imperfections and variations in contrast may be present.
Please examine all photographs carefully for exact condition and image quality.
Important: This is a photographic copy negative of an earlier historical image, not an original 1888 camera negative.
Collector Interest:
An appealing historical image for collectors of Boston street railway history, West End Street Railway and Boston Elevated memorabilia, Copley Square history, early Massachusetts transportation, Victorian architecture, and vintage Boston photography.
The sale includes the actual 4.5\" x 3.5\" photographic copy negative and accompanying identification envelope shown in the photographs. No paper photographic print is included.
