Vintage Photos

20 Vintage Photos from 1934

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A group of people in Roman-style costumes gather around a large decorated cake, some smiling and looking at the man seated in the center, who is holding a cat. Lush plants fill the background.

The year 1934 sat in the middle of a fascinating era, when the world was navigating hardship and rapid cultural change. Photography from this time preserved everyday lives, fashions, and celebrations of people findingntheir way through history in real time.

These images offer a glimpse into that distant yet deeply human past. From family trips to poised portraits, each photograph reveals details that connect us to a generation that lived almost 100 years ago. Let’s dive into 20 vintage photos from 1934.

1. Sitting on top of the Washington Monument, 1934

A man in a suit, tie, and fedora sits on a rooftop ledge beside a metal structure, with an American flag and a cityscape blurred in the background. The photo appears to be from the early 20th century.
three0h/VIA Reddit.com

2. Taking a selfie with a stick, a selfie stick, 1934

A black-and-white photo of a smiling man in a suit with his arm around a woman in a blouse and skirt. They are sitting outdoors on grass, surrounded by trees and rocks, appearing happy and relaxed.
fingercup/VIA Reddit.com

3. Giving eachother a goodbye hug, 1934

Two people embrace under a streetlamp at night, surrounded by fresh snow and curving tracks that create patterns across the ground. The scene is peaceful and illuminated by the lamp’s glow.
userdeleted/VIA Reddit.com

4. Lou Gehrig and his wife Eleanor, holding this baby at his first birthday party, 1934

A man in a suit with a green bow tie holds a baby, standing next to a woman in a brown coat and matching hat. All are facing the camera and smiling slightly. The background is plain and light colored.
shinyb123/VIA Reddit.com

5. “My Grandpa meeting Lou Gehrig and Babe Ruth after winning a Quaker contest, 1934.”

A smiling boy poses with a baseball bat next to two New York Yankees players in uniforms at a ballpark. One player is kneeling and the other is crouching, with fans visible in the background.
userdeleted/VIA Reddit.com

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6. “Just divorced, 1934.”

A man attaches a large sign reading "JUST DIVORCED" to the back of a vintage car. Another similar sign is displayed in the rear window. The photo appears to be from the early 20th century.
cosmiccreature/VIA Reddit.com

7. Texting and driving in 1934

A person in a trench coat and fedora sits in the driver’s seat of a vintage car, typing on a portable typewriter placed on their lap. The image is black and white and appears to be taken from above.
beernutzo/VIA Reddit.com

8. Mae West learning how to handle a Tommy gun after being robbed by gangsters, 1934

A woman in a dress and hat holds a tommy gun at a shooting range, while a man in a suit stands beside her. Targets are visible in the background. The image appears to be from the early 20th century.
bil_sabab/VIA reddit.com

9. American icon Debbie Reynolds, 1934

A woman in a mid-20th-century dress leans against a vintage concept car with large whitewall tires, outdoors on a tree-lined path. The car has a sleek, curved design and a visible signature on the side.
mary_pick_a_ford/VIA Reddit.com

10. “The Puddle Jumper, 1934.”

A woman in vintage clothing jumps mid-air on a rainy street, holding an umbrella and a handbag, with a joyful expression. The background shows blurred trees and people walking.
theluciusgraham/VIA Reddit.com

11. President FDR at his birthday party, dressed as Julius Caesar, 1934

A group of people dressed in togas and laurel wreaths pose around a large birthday cake at a party, with tropical plants behind them. Some are standing, others sitting, all appearing to celebrate together.
gaesha811/VIA Reddit.com

12. Lucille Ball, on the set of The Three Stooges, 1934

A young woman in vintage football gear, including a leather helmet labeled "Spalding" and padded shoulder pads, kneels and smiles at the camera on a grassy field with buildings in the background.
nazmaldun/VIA Reddit.com

13. “My grandparents in 1934, trying to be Bonnie and Clyde.”

Two people in riding boots and shirts stand outdoors beside a vintage car, both smiling and holding pistols. Hay is on the ground, and trees are in the background. The photo is black and white.
amcillasb/VIA Reddit.com

14. Repairing the hull of the Graf Zeppelin during its flight over the Atlantic, 1934

Four people work atop a large curved metallic structure, possibly an aircraft or airship, tethered with safety lines. The scene is monochrome, with a vast sky and no visible background landmarks.
quat_may/VIA Reddit.com

15. Taking her dog for a walk, 1934

A stylish woman in a dark coat, hat, and gloves walks a slender dog on a city street, with blurred pedestrians and buildings in the background. The scene appears vintage, likely from the early 20th century.
matyas11/VIA Reddit.com

16. Acrobats Jarley Smith, Jewell Waddek, and Jimmy Kerrigan pose on the 86th floor ledge of the Empire State Building, August 1934

Three male acrobats perform a balancing act on the edge of a skyscraper rooftop, high above a cityscape with tall buildings and the Chrysler Building in the background.
comradebat/VIA reddit.com

17. Ernest Hemingway, 1934

A young man in a military uniform sits facing the camera with a serious expression, his hair neatly combed. The uniform features medals and a cross-strap, indicating a formal portrait from the early 20th century.
szmandalawguy/VIA Reddit.com

18. American poet Langston Hughes with his pup on the beach at Carmel, 1934

A man wearing a jacket and striped shirt stands on a sandy beach, holding a leash attached to a German Shepherd dog sitting beside him. The background shows distant water and hills under a clear sky.
sarbat_khalsa/VIA Reddit.com

19. Pu Yi, the last emperor of China

A young man in a dark suit and round glasses sits in a wicker chair outdoors, with one arm resting on a table and trees in the background.
terminally_aut/VIA Reddit.com

20. The ladies’ championship team of the Missouri University Shooting Club, 1934

Four young women standing side by side, smiling and pointing pistols toward the camera. The photo is black and white, with a brick wall in the background.
userdeleted/VIA Reddit.com

Want to see more vintage photos?

Check out 27 Vintage Photos From The First World War, or take a look at 23 Vintage Photos That Open A Window Into Life A Century Ago (1926). Finally, if you want to see what life was like in the ’70s, check out Throwback Thursday: 23 Vintage Photos That Embody The 1970s.

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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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