Telephone operators checking directories, 1912

glass negative

PHOTOGRAPHS - GLASS NEGATIVES
Rosenfeld, Morris
USA, NY
1912-1913
emulsion on glass
overall: 8 x 10 in.; 20.32 x 25.4 cm

8 x 10 glass plate negative taken by Rosenfeld and Sons in 1915. Image taken as part of long term commissioned work and documentation for the American Telephone & Telegraph Company, ranging from 1910 through the 1940s. View of female telephone operators, seen stationed at a switchboard with telephone books lined up in front of them, categorized by location. Woman in foreground seen with headset, reading through an open directory. She is wearing her long hair up in a loose bun, a striped blouse and satin skirt. She is wearing a wedding band and engagement ring on her left hand. Other women in background are similarly dressed. Handwritten on original negative sleeve: "Operators looking up information or number / 11th hour / 58".

1984.187.58

Mystic Seaport, Rosenfeld Collection