This is an amazing collection of photographs that have become available to the public. The Library of Congress, and several other organizations, have posted their public photography archives. Since the photos have been seen, information about 500 photos have been provided by Flickr users that make the photos even more valuable and interesting. Name of people and places in the photographs have been identified. The library began with two major collections: 1,500 black-and-white photos taken from 1910 to 1920 by the Bain News Service, and 1,600 color shots from the Farm Service Administration/Office of War Information that were taken in the 1940s. The photos were chosen for their popularity with library visitors, and because they had no copyright restrictions. Since being uploaded on Flickr, there have been 8.2 million views and 5,000 comments. The photos are very impressive, and the comments are extremely insightful. Here are a few from the collection. The project is called "The Commons," and can be seen at www.flickr.com/commons.
Uniformed Letter Carrier with Child in Mailbag: This city letter carrier posed for a humorous photograph with a young boy in his mailbag. After parcel post service was introduced in 1913, at least two children were sent by the service. With stamps attached to their clothing, the children rode with railway and city carriers to their destination. The Postmaster General quickly issued a regulation forbidding the sending of children in the mail after hearing of those examples.
Operating a hand drill at Vultee-Nashville, woman is working on a "Vengeance" dive bomber, Tennessee. Photo taken February 1943
Trick photo, decapitated man with bloody knife, holding his head. Circa 1875
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