For sale is an amazing 1918 COPPER DRY PLATE PHOTO NEGATIVE of Major William F. Cookson, an officer in the Washington D.C. National Guard. Major Cookson is in his full dress uniform displaying his numerous military awards and decorations, a number of which were for sharpshooting or marksmanship. The photo was taken by the Maurice Joyce Engraving Corporation, Washington, D. C. The photograph dry plate for sale was taken in 1918. The Dry Plate negative measure 5 1/4 inches by 7 inches. The photo portion of the plate measures 3 1/2 inches by 5 inches. A great WWI era military and vintage photography collectible.
On July 9th, 1909, President Taft appointed Captain William Cookson, of the Washington DC National Guard, an assistant inspector of small arms practice. On September 16th, 1915, President Woodrow Wilson promoted William Cookson to the rank of Major. The photograph dry plate for sale was taken in 1918.
Photographic plates preceded photographic film as the target medium of photography. Dry plate, also known as gelatin process, is an improved type of photographic plate invented by Dr. Richard L. Maddox in 1871. By 1879, the first dry plate factory was established. With much of the complex chemistry work centralized into a factory, the new process simplified the work of photographers, allowing them to expand their business.
The D.C. National Guard came about in part due to the efforts of President Thomas Jefferson, the first President to spend his term in Washington, D.C. On October 30, 1802, the D.C. National Guard held its first muster. President Jefferson hand-selected his new officers and was known to enjoy attending drills. A year later, Congress officially recognized the organization.
