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1933 Boston Fish Pier Frozen Trawler Blizzard Snow Ice Glass Plate Negative OOAK
Original, one-of-a-kind (OOAK) camera-original antique 4x5 gelatin silver glass plate negative captured in December 1933, documenting one of the most punishing cold waves in New England maritime history: an offshore fishing trawler completely entombed in heavy sea ice tied up at the Boston Fish Pier in sub-zero weather.
The period kraft filing sleeve is inscribed in vintage pencil:
\"Fish pier in zero / weather — / 20 below zero / Dec. 1933\"
With a lower notation reading: \"Interesting Photo / ICED BOAT\"
Historical Context:
Late December 1933 brought a historic arctic blast and deep freeze across New England, with temperatures in Boston plummeting far below zero and coastal waters whipped by gale-force winds. Offshore fishing trawlers returning from the Georges Bank and the North Atlantic endured freezing sea spray that instantly glazed every exposed surface, coating rigging, wheelhouses, and decks in tons of hazardous top-heavy ice.
This iconic winter press photograph captures the brutal reality faced by commercial fishermen during the Great Depression:
Encased in Ice: The trawler\'s wheelhouse, bridge railings, vents, and heavy commercial deck winches are buried beneath inches of sculptural frozen sea spray and drooping rime ice.
The Crew at the Pier: In the foreground, two fishermen in heavy weather gear stand amidst piles of slush and ice on the foredeck, looking toward the camera, while a third crewman works near the iced-over winch lines.
Harbor Chill: Shrouded in freezing sea smoke, the rigging lines are caked thick with frost, framing the stark industrial silhouette of the ship\'s smokestack and cowl vents.
Specifications:
Format: Heavy antique silver gelatin glass plate negative, exposed directly in a press camera in December 1933.
Archive Sleeve Included: Accompanied by its original vintage tan kraft darkroom filing sleeve, bearing authentic period pencil notations: \"Fish pier in zero / weather — / 20 below zero / Dec. 1933\".
Please Note: This listing is for the original antique glass plate negative and its period paper archive sleeve only. Any positive photographic images shown in this listing are modern inverted digital scans provided solely as a visual representation to show what a finished photograph prints like. No physical paper photograph, modern print, or paper product of any kind is included with this purchase.
Condition:
Very Good antique condition. Heavy glass plate is structurally sound with no cracks, chips, or hairline fractures. Emulsion exhibits exceptional contrast, crisp focus, and remarkable tonal detail throughout the heavy ice crusting, vessel machinery, and figures. Shows only minor authentic edge silvering and faint handling wear strictly along the extreme outer borders outside the image area. Accompanied by the original period kraft morgue filing sleeve with vintage pencil notations.
The glass plate negative measures 4 x 5In.
If you collect glass negatives, please check out our collection in our store. We are currently listing thousands of original glass photo negatives from this DJD collection through the remainder of the year. Follow our store, and feel free to reach out about any questions about the negatives in this collection.
Ships with extreme care in archival materials to ensure safe transit. Feel free to reach out with any requests or questions).
Combined shipping is available (with other glass negatives)
