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Vintage Photos

27 Captivating Photos That Open A Window Into 1928

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A black-and-white split image: on the left, a man in a cap sits with a small monkey on his shoulder; on the right, a group of people and a dog sit on the grass near pitched tents in a wooded area.

From Amelia Earhart’s daring flights to the glitter of Hollywood’s golden age, 1928 marked a turning point in history. The 27 photos collected here do more than record events. They reveal the energy, creativity, and restless spirit of a year standing on the threshold of a new era. Here are 27 photos that encapsulate 1928.

1. Silent movie star Delores Costello, Drew Barrymore’s Grandmother, 1928

A woman in a dark, tutu-style dress and stockings poses in profile with one hand to her chin, standing in front of a decorative folding screen with floral and urn designs. The photo has a vintage, sepia tone.
eaglemaxie/via reddit.com

2. Betty White on her sixth birthday, 1928

A young girl with short, curly hair smiles while leaning against a brick column. She wears a checkered dress, striped knee-high socks, and black shoes, with her hands behind her back.
userdeleted/via reddit.com

3. The ice man delivering a 25 lb block of ice in Houston, Texas, 1928

A man wearing a hat, work shirt, and boots stands against a white brick wall, holding a large block of ice with ice tongs. His clothes are dirty and crumpled, and he has a cigarette in his mouth.
gegorb/via reddit.com

4. Amelia Earhart, before becoming the first woman to fly across the Atlantic Ocean, 1928

A woman in a leather coat, tie, and tall lace-up boots stands in front of a brick wall, holding a small bag and looking to the side.
whilefalserepeat/via reddit.com

5. Conrad Veidt, the original inspiration for The Joker, in the film The Man Who Laughs, 1928

A black and white photo of a man with slicked-back hair, dark eye makeup, and an exaggerated, wide, unsettling grin. He is wearing a dark coat and looking slightly to the side. The image has a dramatic, eerie atmosphere.
permanentbrunch/via reddit.com

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6. Winston Churchill, building a cottage for his daughters at his Chartwell estate in Kent, 1928

A man in a hat and work clothes stands by a partially built brick wall outdoors, holding a trowel. Stacks of bricks and tables with mortar are beside him, with a dirt embankment and fence in the background.
ultimatelazer/via reddit.com

7. Silent film star Anna Mae Wong, 1928

A woman in a sleeveless black evening gown and headband stands on grand stairs, holding a long strand of pearls. The setting has an elegant, vintage style, and the steps are strewn with streamers.
dhorlin/via reddit.com

8. Nikola Tesla in his lab, 1928

A man with slicked-back hair and a mustache sits at a desk, wearing a dark suit and white shirt, holding a pen, with books and papers in the background.
elvishblacksmith/via reddit.com

9. “My Grandfather with his chocolate windmill he made in 1928.”

A young man in a white apron stands beside a small table displaying a detailed model of a windmill, possibly made of chocolate, on a lace-covered cloth. The background is a plain, textured wall.
rootingforathx/via reddit.com

10. Delivering Ramen in Japan, 1928

A man rides a bicycle on a wet street while balancing a tall stack of boxes on his head, passing by a building lined with trees and a large poster on the wall.
negral/via reddit.com

11. A British war vet in his old uniform selling matches, 1928

An elderly man with a white beard sits on a sidewalk against a brick wall, wearing a red military-style jacket, top hat, and boots. A basket with various items is beside him, along with a cane.
electrical-aspect-13/via reddit.com

12. The Kennedy children in 1928

A vintage black-and-white photo of seven children standing in striped swimwear, with two younger children seated in front. They are outdoors next to a house partially covered in ivy.
irish_fellow_nyc/via reddit.com

13. Amelia Earhart with her Fokker F7, June 14, 1928

A woman wearing a flight cap and goggles stands in front of an early airplane with large propellers, smiling slightly at the camera.
billy_lo/via reddit.com

14. “My great-grandmother rocking her best flapper style, Pittsburgh, 1928.”

A vintage sepia photo of a woman with short, wavy hair, wearing a fur stole over a dress. She is seated sideways on a chair, looking at the camera with a relaxed, confident expression.
noramurphy927/via reddit.com

15. Lou Gehrig plugging his ears as Babe Ruth plays the saxophone, 1928

Two men in suits sit on a patterned couch; one plays a saxophone while the other covers his ears and grimaces, reacting humorously to the music.
jeffmartin47/via reddit.com

16. The Grandparents of Macklemore, 1928

A vintage black-and-white photo of a man in a suit, a woman in a long skirt and blouse, and a smiling child sitting on a stone ledge in front of a large pillar.
lemon-shaped-rock/via reddit.com

17. “My Great-Grandfather baptizing 72 people in the Mississippi River, 1928.”

A large group of people stands waist-deep in a river for a baptism ceremony, while many others watch from the riverbank and hillside covered with trees and bushes. The scene appears old, in black and white.
fenius_farsaid/via reddit.com

18. Even through hard times, parents supported large families in the ’20s

A sepia-toned photo of a large family posing outside a wooden building. Two adults sit in front holding small children, with older children and teens standing behind them. All wear simple, old-fashioned clothing.
absinthe-/via reddit.com

19. In the process of filming the MGM screen credits, 1928

A lion stands on a platform in front of cameras and equipment while two men operate filming and audio devices in a studio setting.
resident-ability-751/via reddit.com

20. Actresses Raquel Torres, Delores Del Rio, Lupe Velez, and Lupita Tovar, 1928

Four women in glamorous 1920s evening dresses pose together, standing in a row against a metallic, textured backdrop. Each wears distinctive, stylish outfits, with bobbed hairstyles popular in that era.
babydoll17448/via reddit.com

21. Using a string to capture a day on their camping trip, 1928

A group of six people sit on grass with a dog in front of two canvas tents and a vintage car, surrounded by trees, in a black and white outdoor camping scene.
de3nil3/via reddit.com

22. Training for Miss Universe, Ellen Van Hueson, 1928

A woman in a sleeveless leotard rides an old-fashioned stationary exercise bike in a room with wood floors, framed exercise diagrams on the wall, and windows with curtains.
statman13/via reddit.com

23. Marchesa Luisa Casati in a costume representing “Light” for one of her famous costume balls, 1928

Vintage photograph of a woman in an elaborate, sparkling costume with a tall headdress, star decorations, and radiating feather-like elements, standing against a dark background.
outin-leftfield/via reddit.com

24. Buster Keaton sitting with Josephine the Monkey, 1928

A man in early 20th-century attire, wearing a flat cap and suit, sits in a director’s chair holding a small monkey on his shoulder. A film camera is visible in the background, suggesting a movie set.
silverwisp7/via reddit.com

25. Louis Feinberg in 1928, right before joining the Horowitz brothers to form The Three Stooges

A smiling man with thinning hair sits with his arms crossed on the back of a woven chair, wearing a textured jacket, shirt, and tie in a black and white portrait.
userdeleted/via reddit.com

26. An average beach day in Huntington, California, 1928

Black and white photo of a crowded beach with people swimming and relaxing, while numerous oil derricks stand closely packed along the shoreline in the background.
userdeleted/via reddit.com

27. Three boys in Germany, playing with their new Zeppelin toy, 1928

Three boys standing outdoors closely examine a model zeppelin airship. They appear curious and focused, with trees and a path visible in the background. The photo is black and white, giving it a vintage feel.
upperphonnu/via reddit.com

Want to see more content from the early 1900s?

Check out 25 Colorized Photos of the Beginning of the 20th Century (1900-1905), or take a look at 15 Strange Dining Etiquette Rules From the 1920s. Finally, if you want to see unsung American heroes from WWII, check out 15 Unsung American Heroes From World War 2.

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Meet the Writer


Patrick Nichols

Patrick is a writer based in upstate New York, where he grew up and still calls home. Over the past year, he’s been diving deep into storytelling, especially tales rooted in history, the Wild West, lost treasures, and ancient artifacts. He’s also drawn to unsolved mysteries and whatever the internet can’t stop talking about.

Whether it’s a centuries-old legend or a bizarre internet rabbit hole, Patrick is always chasing the threads of a compelling story. When he’s not chasing stories, Pat’s probably hiking mountain trails with his dog, exploring new corners of the U.S., or doom-scrolling between hangouts with friends and family. He finds inspiration in nature, forgotten places, and random conversations—anything that sparks curiosity. Whether it’s city streets or backcountry paths, Patrick’s always on the lookout for the next great story.



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