Most of the photos on this site were extracted from reference images (high-resolution tiffs, 20 to 200 megabytes in size) from the Library of Congress research archive. (To query the database click here.) Many were digitized by LOC contractors using a Sinar studio back. They are adjusted by your webmaster for contrast and color in Photoshop before being downsized and turned into the jpegs you see here.
Vintage photos of:

February 19, 1915: "Murray Street Fire" in Manhattan. Who can help us fill in the details? View full size. 5x7 glass negative, George Grantham Bain Collection.

A pawn shop at No. 15 Cooper Square (thanks, Evan) in New York circa 1920. 5x7 glass negative, George Grantham Bain Collection. View full size.

La Primadora cigar shop at 1153 Broadway in New York circa 1920. The owner, civic leader and entrepreneur Max Schwarz, died in 1940. View full size. 5x7 glass negative, George Grantham Bain Collection. Alternate view here.

Another view of the Primadora cigar shop, with a lunchroom, furrier, carpenter and men's clothier as neighbors. View full size. Geo. Grantham Bain Collection.

Another view of the Waldman's music store in Manhattan from 1921, showing records, listening booths and Victrolas. The inscription on the negative also says "N.Y. B'd Inst. Co." View full size. George Grantham Bain Collection.

The Owens & Beers record shop at 81 Chambers Street in New York circa 1915-1920. View full size. 5x7 glass negative, George Grantham Bain Collection.

Waldman's music store in New York, May 1921. A nice selection of records and Victrolas, with Nipper keeping an eye on things. Does anyone know where this was? View full size. 5x7 glass negative, George Grantham Bain Collection.