Student switchboard operator, Beekman Exchange, 1917

glass negative; copy negative

PHOTOGRAPHS - GLASS NEGATIVES
Rosenfeld and Sons
USA, NY, New York
1917-10-2
overall: 10 x 8 in.; 25.4 x 20.32 cm

8 x 10 glass plate copy negative taken by Rosenfeld and Sons. 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 student telephone operators with a supervisor (all women). Seen at the Beekman exchange, New York City, October 2, 1917. Supervisor wears typical white blouse with black skirt, while student operators have a variety of dress -- woman in foreground has white shoes. All operators wear headsets and have long hair tied loosely back. Beekman was a local exchange for the Rosenfeld and Sons studio at this time. Handwritten on original negative sleeve: "6530 / 10/2/1917 / 525--9 / Tel. Co. / Copy of 'Student operator at Regular Switchboard' at Beekman Ex. (for lecture) / Box 525".

1984.187.6530

Mystic Seaport, Rosenfeld Collection