Overview
A remarkably clear silver gelatin or albumen print capturing the monumental transition from horsepower to industrial steam in American agriculture.
1Identify
Preliminary identification
Early 20th Century Steam Threshing Crew Photograph
Photo reference
1 uploaded photo
Story
Harvest season in the early 1900s was the most intense and social event of the rural calendar, requiring a 'threshing ring' of neighbors to move from farm to farm to process the year's grain.
Maker / Origin
While the photographer is unidentified, they were likely a traveling professional who specialized in 'industrial portraiture' for rural communities.
Condition & Value
The photograph shows some silvering and minor fading at the edges, consistent with its age. Value is driven by the clarity of the machinery and the 'cross-collectible' appeal to both photography enthusiasts and steam-engine historians.
Research
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