Circa 1914. "New York Central and Hudson River Railroad -- wreck of NYC 1063. No note on location. 4-4-0 1063, ex Rutland 193, Schenectady 1889, to NYC & HRR 938 January 1913, to 1063. 2059 is in charge of the wreck derrick. 2059 4-6-0 ex Ogdensburg & Lake Champlain 337. Then Rutland 492, to 59 then NYC 2159, 2059." 5x7 inch glass negative from the Louis A. Marre Rail Transportation Photograph Collection. View full size.

        The colorized Christmas tree is back, 112 years after its debut in Madison Square. Happy holidays from Shorpy!

New York, December 1913. "Christmas tree, Madison Square." 8x10 inch dry plate glass negative, Bain News Service. View full size.

"Dickey Christmas tree, 1915." The family of Washington lawyer Raymond Dickey, whose intriguingly off-kilter holiday photos are a Christmas tradition here at Shorpy. Feats of Strength, anyone? 8x10 inch glass negative, National Photo Company Collection. View full size.

        It's the Friday before Christmas, time for a hallowed holiday tradition here at Shorpy: The Office Xmas Party! Which has been going on for 100 years now. Will Clarence in Sales ever get up the nerve to ask out Hermione from Accounting? Is there gin in that oilcan? Ask the bear.

December 1925. "Washington, D.C. -- Western Electric Co. group." There are enough little dramas playing out here to keep the forensic partyologists busy until Groundhog Day. 8x10 inch glass negative, National Photo Company Collection. View full size.

Kansas City, Missouri, circa 1901. "Union Depot (old station), Union Avenue." 5x7 inch glass negative from the Louis A. Marre Rail Transportation Photograph Collection. View full size.

Circa 1925. "Pennsylvania Railroad -- Locomotive PRR 3732; 'Broadway Limited'; 4-6-2 K-4s wheel arrangement. Philadelphia landmark tower visible." 5x7 inch glass negative by John S. Powell, from the Louis A. Marre Rail Transportation Photograph Collection. View full size.

September 23, 1963. "Sterling National Bank, 101-25 Queens Blvd., Forest Hills, Long Island, New York. Exterior II." 4x5 inch acetate negative by Gottscho-Schleisner. View full size.

September 27, 1951. New York. "Harlem River Houses, 7th Avenue and 152nd Street. Center fountain looking west." 5x7 inch acetate negative by Gottscho-Schleisner. View full size.

June 6, 1956. Yonkers, Westchester County, New York. "Cross County Center. Wanamaker's entrance through statue." Note the graffiti on the lion's chest, visible despite someone's efforts at retouching. 5x7 inch acetate negative by Gottscho-Schleisner. View full size.

July 8, 1941. "Liberty Aircraft Corp., Farmingdale, Long Island, New York. Exterior, at night." 5x7 inch acetate negative by Gottscho-Schleisner. View full size.

October 24, 1944. "Dollar Savings Bank, 2516 Grand Concourse, Bronx, New York. Main banking room, night effect." Acetate negative by Gottscho-Schleisner. View full size.

Washington, D.C., circa 1901. "View of Eighth Street N.W., east side, looking south from E Street with side view of Rathskeller/Concordia Hall." And a glimpse of the elevated walkway seen earlier here. 5x7 inch glass negative, D.C. Street Survey Collection. View full size.

Washington, D.C., circa 1901. "View of New York Avenue N.W., north side, looking west from 12th Street, showing A. Stuntz toy store at 1207 12th Street." Also a sign advertising the services of "Frank Shore, Expert Tire Repairer -- Vulcanizing a Specialty." 5x7 inch dry plate glass negative from the Library of Congress D.C. Street Survey Collection. View full size.

Washington, D.C., circa 1901. "View of G Street N.W., mostly north side, looking east from Seventh Street showing Queen Cafe on the corner." With a smattering of ectoplasmic pedestrians. 5x7 inch glass negative, D.C. Street Survey Collection. View full size.

Washington, D.C., circa 1901. "View of 12th Street N.W., west side, between F & G streets, and buildings including boardinghouse and furniture store." 5x7 inch glass negative, D.C. Street Survey Collection. View full size.

May 27, 1944. "Collier's Florida -- Marine and girl in swimsuit," somewhere between the Halls of Montezuma and the Shores of Tripoli. 35mm Kodachrome transparency by the fashion photographer Toni Frissell for Collier's magazine. View full size.