Provenance

Ford Foundation

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This is a photograph of an athlete in motion. The image captures a sprinter in full stride during a run on a track. In the background, there is an urban setting with indistinct buildings. On the left, an inset features a portrait of the athlete. Below the main image, there is a note of compliments from "Leader Cleaners" and a list of the athlete's track records for various distances and events. The photograph carries an autograph.
American 20th Century, "My Best Wishes, Jesse Owens", 1935, printed later, gelatin silver print, Ross J. Kelbaugh Collection, Purchased with support from the Ford Foundation, 2023.39.153

"My Best Wishes, Jesse Owens"

American 20th Century · 1935, printed later · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2023.39.153

This is a photograph of a boxing match between two athletes. The image captures an intense moment in the fight, showing the central figure with his arm in a powerful punch aimed at the other, who is in a defensive position. Both individuals are wearing traditional boxing shorts and gloves. The photograph is sepia-toned. Handwritten text is present in the image, providing context about the scene, including names and a date. The lighting and focus emphasize the physicality and motion involved in the sport, highlighting the athleticism and concentration of the figures.
American 20th Century, Title from caption on object: “Buddy Baer on His Way Out…”, January 9, 1942, gelatin silver print, Ross J. Kelbaugh Collection, Purchased with support from the Ford Foundation, 2023.39.155

Title from caption on object: “Buddy Baer on His Way Out…”

American 20th Century · January 9, 1942 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2023.39.155

This is a photograph of a horse-drawn cart in front of residential homes. The image captures a horse hitched to a four-wheeled cart or wagon, which bears the inscription "J.M. Banks Express & Shavings Hauling." The cart appears to be designed for transport or delivery, as indicated by the text on its side. The photograph is set in a street lined with houses. The houses are two-story structures with large windows and porches, and the scene features bare trees. The photograph has a sepia tone.
H. J. McCabe & Co., J.M. Banks Express and Shavings Hauling, c. 1915, gelatin silver print, Ross J. Kelbaugh Collection, Purchased with support from the Ford Foundation, 2023.39.123

J.M. Banks Express and Shavings Hauling

H. J. McCabe & Co. · c. 1915 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2023.39.123

The image shows a group of young individuals posing for a photograph. They are positioned in two rows, with some seated and others standing. The children have various hairstyles typical of the early 20th century, with short hair for the boys and the girls having either short bob cuts or longer hair styled with bows. They are all dressed in formal attire, with the boys in suits and the girls in dresses. Each person is holding a musical instrument, such as violins, mandolins, or ukuleles. One girl in the center is holding a pennant that reads "WHITTIER" and a small case. The background is plain, likely a studio setting, with soft lighting highlighting the children's faces and attire.
William G. Paul, Junior Musical Club, Whittier School, 1918, gelatin silver print, Ross J. Kelbaugh Collection, Purchased with support from the Ford Foundation, 2023.39.113

Junior Musical Club, Whittier School

William G. Paul · 1918 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2023.39.113

Three individuals are shown in the image. An older woman is seated at a table, writing on a piece of paper, with two men standing or leaning nearby. The woman has short gray hair and eyeglasses. She is dressed in a striped dress with a lace collar. One of the men, with glasses and wearing a suit with a striped tie, leans on the table. He has short, slicked-back hair. The other man, standing between them and slightly bent forward, is also wearing glasses and a suit with a patterned tie. The table has a black object and scattered papers on it. The background features light-colored curtains and potted plants on the windowsill.
R. J. Romaguera, Mrs. Laura Pringle, New Orleans Voter Registration, 1971, gelatin silver print, Ross J. Kelbaugh Collection, Purchased with support from the Ford Foundation, 2023.39.165

Mrs. Laura Pringle, New Orleans Voter Registration

R. J. Romaguera · 1971 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2023.39.165

The image displays two men in military uniforms captured from the waist up. They are posed side by side, facing forward. The man on the left has a smooth complexion, prominent cheekbones, and a slight smile, wearing a tilted cap. The man on the right has a round face with softer features and short hair. Both wear uniforms with high collars, buttons, shoulder straps, and pockets. The background is plain sepia with water stains. No jewelry or objects are visible.
American 20th Century, Portrait of Two Soldiers, c. 1918, crayon photo, Ross J. Kelbaugh Collection, Purchased with support from the Ford Foundation, 2023.39.223

Portrait of Two Soldiers

American 20th Century · c. 1918 · crayon photo ·  Accession ID  2023.39.223

This is an interior view of a shoe repair shop. The image shows a well-lit, orderly shop with a pressed tin ceiling and wooden furnishings. To the left, there are enclosed seating booths, small lamps, and customer amenities. There is a sign above a wooden door that reads "FOR COLORED ONLY." Cases and shelves around the room are filled with shoe products, polish, and cleaning fluids, with a prominent "GRIFFIN" advertisement. Another sign mentions repairs.
David B. Edmonston, Untitled, c. 1940, gelatin silver print, Ross J. Kelbaugh Collection, Purchased with support from the Ford Foundation, 2023.39.159

Untitled

David B. Edmonston · c. 1940 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2023.39.159

The image shows a woman beside a small child-sized bed or bier. The woman has medium-length hair, is wearing a light-colored blouse, and has a solemn expression. She is positioned to the left of the frame, resting her hand on the child who is lying surrounded by flowers. The child's head is resting on a cushion with a floral wreath around it. The background features wooden paneling and another woman dressed in white is partially visible on the right. A small table or chest is present in the lower right corner.
American 20th Century, Woman and Postmortem Child, c. 1915, gelatin silver print (real photo postcard), Ross J. Kelbaugh Collection, Purchased with support from the Ford Foundation, 2023.39.129

Woman and Postmortem Child

American 20th Century · c. 1915 · gelatin silver print (real photo postcard) ·  Accession ID  2023.39.129

The photograph depicts a group of eight people, both adults and children, in a posed arrangement. The adults are seated on either side, holding children on their laps, while the rest are seated or standing in front. The individuals show calm expressions and wear formal early 20th-century attire. The setting appears to be a professional studio with a plain background. Handwritten notes on the right side indicate the date as March 8, 1919, and mention someone returning home. The border of the photo reads "A Family Group."
Dora Alice Felch, Edith E. Felch, Portrait of a Family, 1907, gelatin silver print (real photo postcard), Ross J. Kelbaugh Collection, Purchased with support from the Ford Foundation, 2023.39.233

Portrait of a Family

Dora Alice Felch, Edith E. Felch · 1907 · gelatin silver print (real photo postcard) ·  Accession ID  2023.39.233

The image is a collage of vintage portrait photographs. Each oval frame displays a different individual or group from the chest up. In the central frame, a woman and a man stand closely together. The woman has neat, pulled-back hair adorned with a large hat decorated with flowers, and she is wearing a high-collared, patterned dress. The man beside her has short, well-groomed hair and wears a suit with a flower boutonniere. Surrounding these central figures are smaller portraits of various individuals including young children and adult men. The children are shown wearing knitted clothing, and one of the babies is in a cozy bonnet. The men around the central photo sport bow ties and hats in different styles. Some are looking directly at the camera while others strike relaxed poses. The background is consistent with a neutral studio setting, likely a backdrop used for such portrait photography.
American 20th Century, Portrait of a Group, c. 1900, gelatin silver print, Ross J. Kelbaugh Collection, Purchased with support from the Ford Foundation, 2023.39.229

Portrait of a Group

American 20th Century · c. 1900 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2023.39.229