The fundamental problem I have with the oldest negatives in my collection is figuring out the journalist basics - who, what, where, when and why. I ran across these huge 4 1/2 by 6 inchers that I'm almost certain my grandfather, Stanley Leighton, took. I don't know where these were taken - it's likely it was in Maine or Massachusetts based on his history and when they must have been taken. Despite the documentation shortcomings, they are simply dandy photos that capture the people and time as well as the doomed car.
These are in chronological order, based on the fire's progression.
The driver is frantically trying to stop the fire.
I've rarely seen a car burn like this - I suspect this was more common then.
This is the sad conclusion. The photographer must have shot this out of a window or on a roof - it shows the public spectacle well. The dress of the people shows how old this was. For those of you with an interest in old cars - what kind of cars are these and when do you suppose these were from.
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One of my female relatives pointed out in an email that there are no women in these pictures. Even in those primative days, I can't imagine ladies not being allowed on the streets. I think it is more likely that they didn't find burning cars interesting, that watch cars burn was a macho male thing. I just want to assure you that I didn't Photoshop the women out of the pictures.
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