Circa 1900. "Harry Houdini (1874-1926), full-length portrait, standing, in chains." McManus-Young Collection, Library of Congress. View full size.

New York, 1911. "Longacre Square south." Times Square to you and me, with the Rector and Astor hotels flanking the New York Times building, now almost completely encased in electronic signage and launch pad for the New Year's "ball drop." Gelatin silver print by Irving Underhill. View full size.

April 30, 1908. The Charles River in Boston. "Houdini in chains and handcuffs before jumping from Harvard Bridge." Photo by John Thurston. View full size.

New York, 1933. "Midtown Manhattan skyline -- Rockefeller Center and St. Patrick's Cathedral." Gelatin silver print by Irving Underhill. View full size.

October 1959. "Pilot and auto test driver Betty Skelton at McDonnell Aircraft Corp., St. Louis. She is undergoing a multitude of physiological tests to assess her fitness to become an astronaut." 35mm Kodachrome by Bob Sandberg for the Look magazine assignment "Girl Astronaut -- Lady wants to orbit." View full size.

July 1948. 52nd Street in New York. "The Street is at its best at night, when the neons start to bloom. It loses some of its carnival atmosphere when daylight dims its gaudy luster." Kodachrome by William Gottlieb for Collier's magazine. If anyone needs us, we'll be digging Harry the Hipster at the Onyx. View full size.

        UPDATE: Our astute commenters have identified this as Pittsburgh's Gateway Center, circa 1952.

This is by far the most unusual photo (from a stereo slide) that my grandfather ever took. To this day it still does not look real to me but more like an artists rendering of what the building will look like when completed. I have no idea where it was taken but a good guess would be Pittsburgh, as that is the nearest city to where he lived (Titusville) and ran a camera shop for 32 years. I would guess the year is the late 1940's or early 50's judging from what I can see of some cars that appear to be taxis lined up in front of the building on the right side. I tried to estimate just how many sides and windows there would be in this building complex but gave up after still not being convinced it was real. View full size.

July 1941. "Observation deck and airliner on the field seen through the window of the waiting room. Municipal (National) airport, Washington, D.C." Medium format acetate negative by Jack Delano. View full size.

July 1941. "An airliner being readied for a takeoff. Municipal airport, Washington, D.C." Five years hence, this brand-new Eastern Air Lines DC-3 ended up on the wrong track. Medium format negative by Jack Delano. View full size.

July 1941. "A Western Union girl. Washington, D.C., municipal airport." Acetate negative by Jack Delano for the Farm Security Administration. View full size.

June 1941. "Some of the children of a family who must move out. The Army is taking over the area for maneuver grounds. Caroline County, Virginia." Acetate negative by Jack Delano for the Farm Security Administration. View full size.

July 1941. "An airliner taking on baggage and fuel. Washington, D.C., municipal (National) airport." Medium format negative by Jack Delano. View full size.

June 1941. "In the area being taken over by the Army -- Caroline County, Virginia. Most of the customers at this store are now soldiers. Many of the people in the area have already moved out and the owners of the store are making plans to move." Medium format acetate negative by Jack Delano. View full size.

November 1940. "Street scene in Mystic, Connecticut." A view down East Main Street of the Christopher Morgan house, last seen here. 35mm Kodachrome by Jack Delano for the Farm Security Administration. View full size.

July 1941. "Negro dishwasher. Investment Pharmacy, Washington, D.C." Acetate negative by Jack Delano for the Farm Security Administration. View full size.