Wooden case with chain handles and hinge containing glass plate negatives, a camera, a small box with “F. A Kinne, 237 Bailey St., Lawrence, MA” written on it, and other related equipment, which last belonged to the donor’s aunt, Helen Gaskin. Helen, a collector of “unusual things”, worked for over a decade as a photographer that sold to newspapers across the US in 60s and 70s in Michigan, but likely didn’t travel to Mass.
Kathy Flynn found the following information on Kinne: A little research using the Lawrence City Directories shows that “P. A. Kinne” of 237 Bailey ST. was actually F. A Kinne of that address. He was unmarried and lived with Eva Kinne, a milliner and later a clerk. Frank is listed in the 1900 directory as a second hand at the Atlantic Mill and later at the Wood Mill. By 1920 Frank was a repairman. He and Eva do not appear as city residents in the 1925 directory. There is no indication that either was a photographer by profession. It is possible that glass negative(s) had been shipped to Frank at the Baily St. address.
Some of the negatives are of Methuen sites (Searles High School/Town Hall opened in 1904), Lawrence High School on Haverhill St. prior to 1900, the Lawrence Water Tower (built 1896) and possibly the Wood Mill while it was under construction Between 1906-1909. All of these photos point to the era close to 1900.