December 1925. Washington, D.C. "W.W. Lodding (tree & son)." Scion of Walter W. Lodding, of Office Xmas Party fame. 4x5 inch glass negative, National Photo Company. View full size.

One Hundred Years of Yuletude: "Dickey Christmas tree, 1923." The family of Washington, D.C., lawyer Raymond Dickey, whose off-kilter portraits (and non-triangular trees) are a beloved yuletide tradition here at Shorpy. National Photo Company glass negative. View full size.

        It's two Fridays before Christmas, time for a hallowed holiday tradition here at Shorpy: The Office Xmas Party! Which has been going on for 98 years now. Will Clarence in Sales ever get up the nerve to ask out Hermione from Accounting? Is there gin in that oilcan? Ask the bear.

December 1925. "Washington, D.C. -- Western Electric Co. group." There are enough little dramas playing out here to keep the forensic partyologists busy until Groundhog Day. National Photo Company Collection glass negative. View full size.

Washington, D.C., 1917. "Auto and motorcycle races at Benning track." 5x7 inch glass negative, National Photo Company Collection. View full size.

Washington, D.C., 1919. "Lunch vendors, Treasury Annex." At left, Leoffler's Liberty Lunch for 20 cents. And yes, we have bananas. 4x5 glass negative, National Photo Co. View full size.

Washington, D.C. "Labor Day, 1916. Auto races at Benning track." Where one man's luck is riding on Acme Hemispheres. National Photo Company glass negative. View full size.

Washington, D.C. (vicinity), circa 1919. "Giving first aid." National Photo Company Collection glass negative. View full size.

On the banks of the Potomac circa 1914. "Summer camps: G. Whiz Canoe Club." 8x6 inch glass negative, National Photo Company Collection. View full size.

Washington, D.C., circa 1919. "Street knife grinder." 5x7 inch glass negative. View full size.

July 13, 1919. Washington, D.C. "Bathing Beauties -- ladies' swimming meet at Tidal Basin bathing beach." 4x6 inch glass negative, National Photo Company Collection. View full size.

July 4, 1919. "Washington's men and women who served during the war gathered at the base of the Washington Monument, receiving medals of honor provided by the citizens of the District of Columbia. The big crowd has just turned to watch a daring aviator circling low above the trees that surround the monument grounds." National Photo glass negative. View full size.

Washington, D.C. September 11, 1925. "Demonstration of auto safety fender." 4x5 inch glass negative, National Photo Company Collection. View full size.

SAFETY FENDER COMPANY TO GIVE TEST HERE

        "How to pick up a girl" will be practically illustrated tomorrow afternoon at 3 o'clock on Third street between Maryland and Pennsylvania avenues northwest.
        Using a human being in their demonstration, the manufacturers, under the supervision of the traffic director's office, will show a recently devised scoop, which is designed so that when attached to the front of an automobile striking a person, injury is averted. -- Washington Times, 9/10/25

"McCrory fire, 11/21/29." Washington, D.C., firefighters at the McCrory five-and-dime on Seventh Street N.W., after a lunchtime boiler explosion in the store's basement -- a disaster whose final toll was six dead and dozens injured. 4x5 inch glass negative. View full size.

"Dickey Christmas tree, 1919." The family of Washington, D.C., lawyer Raymond Dickey. 8x6 inch glass negative, National Photo Co. View full size.

Washington, D.C., circa 1912. "Union Station plaza and Columbus fountain." 8x6 inch glass negative, National Photo Company Collection. View full size.