GREENFIELD MASS. BANK • STREET SCENE

Photographer Unknown

Original mounted photograph, c. 1900–1915. Franklin County National Bank (façade) Greenfield, Massachusetts

Original mounted photograph of Franklin County National Bank, Greenfield Massachusetts, capturing horse-drawn and electric streetcar traffic in an early urban streetscape.

A well-composed streetscape featuring the Franklin County National Bank building, with distinctive arched façade and upper-story ornamentation. The scene captures a transitional urban moment: a horse and buggy stands at the curb while an electric streetcar appears at right, tracks visible in the street. Centered storefront windows marked “OFFICE” suggest commercial occupancy during a period of architectural and economic change in downtown Greenfield.

PHYSICAL FEATURES: No photographer’s imprint. Verso with a small penciled notation (2½ × 2½ inches), not clearly referable to the image.Albumen-toned silver gelatin print mounted on thick cabinet-style board. Image size: 6.625 × 4.625 inches; mount: 9.875 × 7.75 inches.

CONDITION: The photograph presents strongly with good tonal range and clarity. The mount shows moderate handling wear with a chipped upper-left corner. The bindings are tight and square. Text is clean; light, even age-toning. Moderate shelf handling wear.

SIGNIFICANCE: A quietly compelling New England streetscape that captures a moment of commercial transition—where established architecture, emerging electric transit, and an unoccupied storefront intersect. Images combining identifiable buildings with early transportation remain consistently collectible, particularly when they suggest broader patterns of small-town economic change.

SUBJECTS:  photography, Americana, Massachusetts local history, New England urban development, architectural photography, street scenes, commercial buildings, and early transportation.

Item #21957

Price: $85.00