Washington, D.C., circa 1920. "Crystal Glass Casket Co., exterior." The offices of Crystal Glass Casket ("Let us tell you why 90 per cent of the people will Demand Glass Caskets") at 605 15th Street N.W., "directly opposite U.S. Treasury." This was the start of a "business opportunity" that ended with predictable if not entertaining results -- a million-dollar swindle, indictments for stock fraud, conspiracy and bribery, and trials that dragged through the courts for years. National Photo Company Collection crystal glass negative. View full size.

Washington, D.C., circa 1920. "George W. Cochran & Co., 709 14th Street N.W." National Photo Company Collection glass negative. View full size.

December 28, 1925. "G.J. Mueller Fire." A five-alarm fire at George J. Mueller Candy Co. in Chinatown at 336 Pennsylvania Avenue N.W., in view of the Capitol. National Photo Company Collection glass negative. View full size.

January 1936. "New Orleans architecture. Cast-iron grillwork house near Lee Circle on Saint Charles Avenue." Large-format nitrate negative by Walker Evans for the Farm Security Administration. View full size.

December 1935. "Waterfront in New Orleans. French market sidewalk scene." Large-format nitrate negative by Walker Evans for the FSA. View full size.

New Orleans in the 1890s. "Canal Street from the Clay monument." Dry-plate glass negative by William Henry Jackson, Detroit Publishing Co. View full size.

Washington, D.C., 1920. "National Engraving Co., exterior, F Street N.W." National Photo Company Collection glass negative. View full size.