San Francisco in 1920. "Oldsmobile touring car." Its dapper driver signaling either "hello" or a right turn. 5x7 glass negative by Christopher Helin. View full size.

Circa 1901. "The Firs -- New Baltimore, Michigan, from west." Our fourth look at this summer resort, where two ladies are setting out in the surrey with the fringe on top. 8x10 inch glass negative, Detroit Publishing Company. View full size.

Circa 1912. "Foundation for retort house, construction for Detroit City Gas Company." A scene from the days when most big municipalities had an illuminating-gas plant where coal was heated to make the poisonous product known as "city gas." 8x10 inch glass negative. View full size.

Washington, D.C., circa 1930. "Gibbs, Mrs. Malcolm." Our second visit with Maude Foote Gibbs, wife of the People's Drug Store founder. Upon whose portrait the delicate filigree of the retoucher's hand gamely attempts to work its magic. But it is not to be, res ipsa loquitur. Harris & Ewing glass negative. View full size.

May 1920. Yosemite National Park. "Prize Cup, Fourth Annual AAA Economy Run, Los Angeles to Camp Curry." An early test of fuel efficiency sponsored by Standard Oil of California. 8x6 inch glass negative originally from the Wyland Stanley collection of San Francisciana, acquired and scanned by Shorpy. View full size.

Circa 1905. "Union League Club building, Cleveland." See you to-night in White City at the "Hilarity Parade." 8x10 inch glass negative. View full size.

"Floyd, Loren, Dottie & Boots at Folks -- Jan 20 1952." From the shores of Lake Wobegon comes this latest installment of Minnesota Kodachromes. With Loren sporting six-gun sox. 35mm slide by Hubert Tuttle. View full size.

        Convenient to both car lines. One-half acre of ground around property; 6 rooms and bath, large porches. A wonderful buy at

"4555 Grant Road." Photo used to illustrate an ad in the Nov. 5, 1921, real estate section of the Washington Times. National Photo glass negative. View full size.

Sept. 26, 1921. "Ford tractor demonstration." Another look at the plowing bee held on the Washington, D.C., estate of former Maryland senator Blair Lee. A photo in the Washington Star identifies this young lady as "Miss Myrtle Lewton of Takoma, Md., Golden Eagle Girl Scout who received her decoration from the Queen of Belgium." National Photo Company glass negative. View full size.

June 1943. "Arlington, Virginia. Girl getting food in the service shop at Idaho Hall, Arlington Farms, a residence for women who work for the U.S. government for the duration of the war. The shop help is run on a self-service basis." Photo by Esther Bubley for the Office of War Information. View full size.

New York, 1947. "Showgirls get the needle. Dancers from Billy Rose's Diamond Horseshoe nightclub being vaccinated by Dr. Jack Weinstock." New York World-Telegram and Sun Newspaper Photo Collection. View full size.

Washington, D.C., circa 1921. "Ford tractor demonstration." The fenced-in rock with "District of Columbia" plaque may be a clue to the venue. View full size.

San Francisco rebuilds after the devastating earthquake and fire of April 18, 1906. 8½x6½ inch glass negative from Wyland Stanley Collection of San Francisco historical memorabilia later acquired by Marilyn Blaisdell. View full size.

1906. "Cossitt Library and Post Office, Memphis, Tennessee." This Romanesque castle in red sandstone, at Front and Monroe on the banks of the Mississippi, was the city's first public library when it opened in 1893. View full size.

April 1943. "Baltimore, Maryland. Third shift workers waiting on a street corner to be picked up by car pools around midnight." Last seen at the lunch counter. Photo by Marjory Collins for the Office of War Information. View full size.