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Viola's Valentine: 1924
... Hudson, the WCAP 'Valentine Girl,' who on St. Valentine night broadcast a greeting to radio fans." Regarded by many historians as the ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 02/14/2016 - 6:20pm -

February 1924. "Miss Viola Hudson, the WCAP 'Valentine Girl,' who on St. Valentine night broadcast a greeting to radio fans." Regarded by many historians as the beginning of Fox News. Harris & Ewing glass negative. View full size. Fashion fun!My grandmother came of age during this time and she had many of these tail-biting animals. My cousins and I had a lot of fun attaching those spring-loaded jaws to each other as in critter-attack mode. Fun memories! Tonal range Subject and setting aside, the tonal range achieved by the photographer (and scanner) is top notch. Deep blacks, all middle gray shades and a perfect rendering of the poor ermine. Not easily achieved even with today's digital technology. [Click here to see the pre-Photoshop version of Viola and her arctic fox. - Dave] WLOLLOL -- Fox News -- LOL That is a GREAT caption, Mr. Shorpy! (The Gallery, D.C., Harris + Ewing, Valentine's Day)
Tall, Dark & Handsome: 1940
... of completing each other in their attempt of scraping the night sky. Note the date On December 5th, 1940, sunset was at 4:29 PM, ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 10/20/2016 - 11:40am -

December 5, 1940. "Joseph Mullen Inc., 18 E. 50th Street, New York. View from window." Taking in the spires of St. Patrick's Cathedral and, across Fifth Avenue, Rockefeller Center's International Building at 45 Rockefeller Plaza. Large-format acetate negative by Gottscho-Schleisner. View full size. What's going on?Whenever I see photos like this of a building with lights on I keep wondering why. Is it just the cleaning staff; workers who forgot to turn off the lights, or even people still at the grind. Note: at one time GE had an office building in Rockville, MD that somehow used the lighting to heat/cool the building so the lights were always on. ARTWhether it is Gothic or Deco, they are remarkable as forms of art coexisting and sort of completing each other in their attempt of scraping the night sky. Note the dateOn December 5th, 1940, sunset was at 4:29 PM, twilight ended at 4:59 PM. So it very easily could have been still during workday, albeit late, when this shot was taken. (The Gallery, Gottscho-Schleisner, NYC)
Linked In: 1910
... Are Coming! I remember this scene from A Hard Day's Night. --Jim $65 a round Now the Oceanside Country Club, first 9 ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 07/31/2012 - 4:17pm -

Circa 1910. "Ormond, Florida -- New golf links and club house." 8x10 inch dry plate glass negative, Detroit Publishing Company. View full size. Urban DesolationTake away all but one or two people and it would make for an excellent Edward Hopper painting. The Fabs Are Coming!I remember this scene from A Hard Day's Night. --Jim $65 a roundNow the Oceanside Country Club, first 9 holes built 1907, second 9 the next year. http://www.occ1907.com/club/scripts/public/public.asp?NS=PUBLIC (The Gallery, DPC, Florida, Sports)
Young Rush: 1908
... Gaston, North Carolina, USA Rush's father was night superintendent of the mill according to the 1910 census. Four of his ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 04/02/2016 - 8:48pm -

November 1908. Gastonia, N.C. "Rush Merrill, Loray Mill. 12 years old. Been in mill three years as Doffer. Gets 75 cents a day. Said sometimes gets 3 to 5 hours a day resting between times." Glass negative by Lewis Wickes Hine. View full size. Thanks, John JThanks for the info, John J, well-done! It's so good to know he had a long life. Rush Franklin MerrillRush Franklin Merrill Birth 21 Mar 1896 North Carolina Death 19 May 1982 Gastonia, Gaston, North Carolina, USA Rush's father was night superintendent of the mill according to the 1910 census. Four of his children were employed in the mill. I posted a copy of the photo to Ancestry.com with a note that it was found on Shorpy.com (The Gallery, Kids, Lewis Hine)
Dance Palace: 1942
... to time, "Neither one of us was wearing our glasses that night!" A mere shadow of its former self CBS Columbia Square ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 02/18/2017 - 4:31pm -

April 1942. "Hollywood, California. Sign and ticket window of a large dance palace." The Hollywood Palladium on Sunset Boulevard. Medium format nitrate negative by Russell Lee for the Office of War Information. View full size. My parents met at a dance herein the early 1950s, and the rest is history. As they still say from time to time, "Neither one of us was wearing our glasses that night!" A mere shadow of its former self CBS Columbia SquareI think the CBS building behind the theatre is even more interesting. (The Gallery, Los Angeles, Russell Lee)
Store Noir: 1947
... "Kartch's, Main Street, Paterson, New Jersey. Entrance, night." Our third look at this tony toggery. Gottscho-Schleisner photo. View ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 05/06/2013 - 8:24am -

Jan. 27, 1947. "Kartch's, Main Street, Paterson, New Jersey. Entrance, night." Our third look at this tony toggery. Gottscho-Schleisner photo. View full size. Elegant!Very elegant! I'll bet they were continually replacing light bulbs though. I count over 100 in this view alone! Still a clothing storeTracking down a street number for Kartch's proved difficult, but eventually I found a reference to no. 270 Main Street. [Was it here? -tterrace] The location is still a clothing store, Today's Fashion. It wouldn't surprise me if the old Kartch's sign, or at least its outline, is visible under the new store's awning. View Larger Map A dying artform?It seems to be that the art of creating window displays has been lost. I am trying to picture the department stores in a typical mall, and they lack such displays. Other retailers have product displayed, but I cannot recall any that have caught me eye in recent years. (The Gallery, Gottscho-Schleisner, Stores & Markets)
Your Next Promotion: 1952
... after hours (and maybe before driving home for the night) which are going to get Mr. Vice President? VP of Shorpy Inc. I ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 11/11/2014 - 1:48pm -

June 1952. Cornered in his corner office: "Harried executive sitting at desk with pill bottles and ashtray full of cigarette butts; arms are handing him papers and a telephone." Photo by Phillip Harrington for the Look magazine assignment "Your Next Promotion Can Kill You." View full size. Stress beaterOf course the harried V.P. could relieve a bit of the stress at his daily three-martini lunches. Cause and effect?Welllllll - is it actually the promotion, or is it rather the pills, the cigarettes and maybe the three bourbons after hours (and maybe before driving home for the night) which are going to get Mr. Vice President? VP of Shorpy Inc.I love your clever insertion of the name on the sign base! But hey, the ashtray in't completely full yet, so he cannot get his promotion until it is overflowing and the pill bottles are empty! Gotta squeeze the most out of our loyal staff... (The Gallery, LOOK, Phillip Harrington, The Office)
On the Boat to Bimini: c.1964
... the same picture, although I do believe it is later at night. There must have been a photographer at the top of the ramp taking ... 
 
Posted by Baxado - 03/13/2015 - 7:23pm -

When my wife was a young lass her parents took her on a trip to Bimini and this photo was taken as she climbed up to the top deck. She bought a new purse just for the trip. I believe the year was 1964 or 65, but I could be mistaken. View full size. Sea SicknessI will have to ask my wife if she got sick on the cruise. Although she does look rather happy there. Calypso LinerBuilt in 1954 in Germany (with partial funding by a subsidy from the Marshall Plan) as the Rüstringen, a passenger ferry and excursion ship; sold in 1961 to US companies who register it in Liberia and rename it the Calypso Liner; put into service between Miami and the Bahamas; then sold and renamed at least three more times (Lucaya Queen, Carib Queen, Fiesta) until it is broken up in 1980. According to a story in The Miami News on June 18, 1962, "The poor man's cruise ship, the Calypso Liner, sailed an hour late for Bimini today with a hastily recruited crew after the new operators fired the old crew from the captain down." The crew complained of low wages ($3.30 a day when union scale was $11), lousy food ("mashed potatoes six days a week, breakfast, lunch and supper"), and inadequate quarters ("worse than the glory holes"). The article also notes that "Passengers often complain of sea sickness aboard the widely rolling vessel and from time to time some switch to a plane ride home from Bimini." Calypso LinerCame across the picture you posted of your wife after Google searching "Calypso Liner Bimini" to research this picture of my dad. In the early 60's he and a friend drove from St. Louis to Miami on a whim to get to the Bahamas. On a whimThat is almost exactly the same picture, although I do believe it is later at night. There must have been a photographer at the top of the ramp taking pictures. Wonder what kind of camera he used? (ShorpyBlog, Member Gallery)
The Old Met: 1905
... was their first (and obviously last) visit. I remember the night because I'd never seen them dressed that formally. I also remember my ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 05/24/2020 - 6:40pm -

New York, 1905. "Metropolitan Opera House, 39th Street and Broadway." And down the street, the new New York Times building. 8x10 inch glass negative. View full size. The Fat Lady SangYou can read the history of this lovely house here: http://www.nypap.org/preservation-history/old-metropolitan-opera-house/ The Opera wanted to make sure that no competing opera company moved in after the Met left for Lincoln Center. Grand Old HouseMy parents were not opera people but they were friends with folks who were. Through them they were able to attend the closing gala event held in the Old Met in 1966. It was their first (and obviously last) visit. I remember the night because I'd never seen them dressed that formally. I also remember my father later saying that it didn't smell any better than the old Madison Square Garden. Life with FatherAs a kid, I enjoyed Clarence Day’s “Life with Father” stories. One sad chapter described the end of the family’s home at 420 Madison Avenue, torn down and replaced by an office building. There’s a 40-story tower at that address today, probably not the building that replaced the Day home. Anyway, this series of old New York has left me feeling nostalgic for things past. (The Gallery, DPC, NYC, Streetcars)
Doll Bed: 1931
... visiting hours and didn't allow parents to stay there over night. I hope these children recovered and had good lives! (The Gallery, ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 07/01/2013 - 1:38pm -

Washington, D.C., 1931. "Children in hospital bed with dolls." Retroactive wishes for a speedy recovery, kids. Harris & Ewing glass negative. View full size. Heartbreaking!The look on the face of the child in front is so tragic; having grandkids of my own, I don't know how I would react if I saw this look on their faces. God Bless these kids! Doll facesThat was quite a collection of dolls! They'd have had to be careful that they didn't fall off the bed, though, because at least most of those dolls would break. I hope the children were comforted by the dolls. They used to keep people hospitalized a lot longer, and usually had strict visiting hours and didn't allow parents to stay there over night. I hope these children recovered and had good lives! (The Gallery, Harris + Ewing, Kids, Medicine)
Steelhenge: 1908
... as I passed through the steel mills near Pittsburgh. At night the ingots would glow red/orange in the dark, each one a little brighter ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 06/05/2016 - 6:01pm -

Circa 1908. "Steel ingots, Homestead Steel Works, Homestead, Pennsylvania." 8x10 inch dry plate glass negative, Detroit Publishing Company. View full size. The cars are more interesting than the ingots.Ingots of this shape are usually referred to as "slabs". This shape is the first stage of plate and other flat goods. These appear to be "top poured" from their frothy appearance. More interesting though are the slab cars. They have inside bearings like most locomotive pony trucks. Steel mills have long reused rail equipment or portions thereof. I wonder if some old locos of about Civil War era sacrificed the wheelsets as they met their demise. Seems Like (Not Quite So) Old TimesWhen I was a kid riding the B&O back in the 50's and early 60's, a very similar sight would greet me as I passed through the steel mills near Pittsburgh. At night the ingots would glow red/orange in the dark, each one a little brighter than the one in front. It might have been my imagination, but I swear I could feel the heat through the glass. (The Gallery, DPC, Industry & Public Works, Railroads)
Adios, Beach House!
... I inspect the ruins of our home. We had luckily spent the night at Granny's farm on the mainland, and luckily we had another home in ... going to take me to the Gator Bowl to see The Beatles the night before, but I was upset about the storm and decided to stay at the farm ... 
 
Posted by Jim Page - 10/12/2012 - 8:26pm -

This photo, taken on September 12, 1964, shows what's left of the beach house at 344 North Fletcher Avenue, Fernandina Beach, Florida, after Hurricane Dora tore through the area a day and a half earlier. My grandmother is seen getting out of our Olds while my mom and I inspect the ruins of our home. We had luckily spent the night at Granny's farm on the mainland, and luckily we had another home in Louisiana where we spent the winters. Still, it was a bummer to lose the house and everything in it. My dad had put our new black-and-white TV in the trunk of the car when we left for the farm, in case the water rose during the storm, and we had a change of clothes and that was it. Also, in those days, there was no homeowner's insurance that covered such an event. My dad even had to pay to have the wreckage of the house bulldozed away. My uncle was going to take me to the Gator Bowl to see The Beatles the night before, but I was upset about the storm and decided to stay at the farm and play Scrabble with my cousins. BAD DECISION!!! View full size. (ShorpyBlog, Member Gallery)
Lady & Mister: 1947
... The gardenia tradition The story goes that one night Lady burned her hair in the dressing room while preparing for a ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 01/21/2019 - 6:18pm -

New York circa 1947. "Billie Holiday and her dog Mister at a 52nd Street jazz club." Medium format negative by William Gottlieb for Down Beat. View full size. Your best friends always remember youBillie served eight months in federal prison for narcotics possession. She recounts her return in her autobiography Lady Sings the Blues. She was trying to slip in unnoticed, but Mister was not on board with that plan. "When I got off the train I knew Mister wouldn't recognize me. ... Man, how cheap I played that dog! He not only recognized me, but in a flash he leaped at me, kicked my hat off, and knocked me flat on my can in the middle of that little station. Then he began lapping me and loving me like crazy." The gardenia traditionThe story goes that one night Lady burned her hair in the dressing room while preparing for a performance. The remedy was to cover the burned locks with several fresh flowers. And the rest, as they say, is history. The Billie Holiday biography"Lady Sings the Blues" was largely "customized" by Bill Dufty. Having spent personal time with Billie on a few occasions (in Copenhagen and Philadelphia), I had my suspicions. Bill, who became a friend of mine (in later years when he was married to Gloria Swanson), confirmed that he had indeed been overly creative with that book. The well-known opening sentence was, for example, his. The subsequent Diana Ross film was almost total fabrication. As for the gardenia story, I'll have to check my 1959 interview, but it differs from the one related here. ["Lady Sings the Blues" is a ghostwritten celebrity autobiography, with ghostwriter Dufty's name on the cover. So none of this is particularly surprising. - Dave] The published cover credit is "Billie Holiday with William Dufty", Bill never regarded himself as a ghostwriter but neither did he reveal that much of the book's content was of his making—although attributed to Billie. He allowed me to read some of the passages that Doubleday, for various reasons, cut. This included a somewhat revealing incident with actor Charles Laughton, which he for understandable reasons claimed never happened. Dave, I was not attempting to reveal a secret but most people today believe this an honest account. Bill himself wasn't hiding the facts that he had made up much of the book's content. Having read what Doubleday redacted, I think they made a costly misjudgment. (The Gallery, Dogs, Music, NYC, William Gottlieb)
Ripe Two Mottoes: 1941
... he leaves the candy in the shack when he closes up at night? Or does he have a wagon to haul it all home? I know he has the store ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 10/30/2018 - 12:24pm -

April 1941. "Candy stand run by Negro, Southside Chicago." Medium format negative by Russell Lee for the Farm Security Administration. View full size. Somebody was a gardenerAs well as the flower boxes in front of the stand, and the painted box at the foot of the stairs, it looks like a terraced box goes all the way up parallel to the railing. I'd like to see a picture from May when the blooms are out. Subject and Predicate ChoiceA thing of beauty is no place like home. Seems secure.This might be my favorite picture. A small businessman making a living on the sidewalk. Do you think he leaves the candy in the shack when he closes up at night? Or does he have a wagon to haul it all home? I know he has the store chained to the light pole, so no one can just pick it up and take it away. (The Gallery, Chicago, Russell Lee, Stores & Markets)
Cheers (Colorized): 1937
... files. September 1937. Craigville, Minnesota. "Saturday night in a saloon." Medium format negative by Russell Lee, Farm Security ... 
 
Posted by Kenny - 12/13/2011 - 11:37am -

Colorized from Shorpy's files. September 1937. Craigville, Minnesota. "Saturday night in a saloon." Medium format negative by Russell Lee, Farm Security Administration. View full size. Where Everybody Knows Your NameI remember fondly the black and white original on Shorpy. I recognized it instantly from one of my favorite shows. Now in color, it REALLY looks like the opening to Cheers. Thank you! No AshtraysI guess they snuffed their cigarettes out on the floor? (Colorized Photos)
Lux Americana: 1933
... capital circa 1933. "View of Washington Monument at night in Reflecting Pool." 5x7 nitrate negative by Theodor Horydczak. View ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 11/13/2015 - 4:53pm -

The nation's capital circa 1933. "View of Washington Monument at night in Reflecting Pool." 5x7 nitrate negative by Theodor Horydczak. View full size. ExcellentFantastic composition. You will never be able to take that photo again with those dark skies. AnotherWonderful 'wallpaper' possibility. Beautiful and quite serene. Half Wave AntennaA perfect visual for explaining the concept of a half wave antenna. (The Gallery, D.C., Theodor Horydczak)
Battling Mantell: 1911
... Note it does not say that he fought anyone that night. With a middle name like "Baer" I'm surprised he didn't have a ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/10/2012 - 3:45pm -

The boxer Battling Mantell in November 1911. View full size. George Grantham Bain Collection. So who can tell us about old Bat? He served in World War I. Battling Mantell's record -- 20 fights, just one victoryHe went on to become a referee. http://www.boxrec.com/boxer_display.php?boxer_id=185088 [I think that's an incomplete record. - Dave] What a JockAs an athletic supporter, I wonder where's his punching bag and medicine balls. Benjamin Baer MantellThis appears to be Benjamin Baer Mantell. Searching through Veterans Records on Ancestry.com I found Benjamin B. Mantell at the Soldier's Home in Virginia in 1931 - 1932. It says that he was a Physical Instructor for his occupation, so this seemed like a good place to continue the search. It says he was 5' 4 1/2" tall with brown hair and eyes and was of the Hebrew faith. He enlisted on February 14, 1914 as a Private in Company C, 15th U.S. Cavalry and was discharged on June 4, 1920. The cause of his admission to the home says, "Mental Questionable," and what looks like, "Cebro Spinal Cervrio" (probably cerebro-spinal in current language). Searching further records I found he was born on November 25, 1890 and died on November 2, 1959. He was buried in Long Island National Cemetery, Section V, Site 6732. He appears to never have been married. The 1930 U.S. Federal Census shows him at 246 Keap Street, Brooklyn, NY. It lists his profession as a Pugalist, Professional, and it also shows him as a WWI Veteran. His father was Russian and his mother Austrian, but I have not been able to find their names. His grandmother was Rebeca (Bessie) Mantell an aunt was Fannie Loefkowitz. The boxing site below lists three Battling Mantells. It seems very unlikely that you would have three professional boxers all using the same name. Looking at the fight dates, only two of the fights are on consecutive dates so conceivably this is all one person fighting in two primary locations (usually New York and Pennsylvania). All of the fights are before he enlisted with the exception of three: one on the day he enlisted; one on May 11, 1914; and one on May 27, 1915. He could have been in the fight on May 11, 1914 prior to leaving for his enlistment, and he could have been in the fight on May 27, 1915 while on leave. The Stars and Stripes, France, for Friday, May 10, 1918 states, "Before the main bout, Battling Mantell, New York lightweight now a cavalryman, was introduced." Note it does not say that he fought anyone that night. With a middle name like "Baer" I'm surprised he didn't have a different fighting name. (The Gallery, G.G. Bain)
Alley Cats: 1909
... New Haven, Connecticut. Many of these work until late at night." View full size. Photo and caption by Lewis Wickes Hine. Hine ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 12/10/2007 - 3:12pm -

March 1909. "Bowling alley boys of New Haven, Connecticut. Many of these work until late at night." View full size. Photo and caption by Lewis Wickes Hine. Hine photosThis is the best photograph of his that I've seen so far. (The Gallery, Kids, Lewis Hine, Sports)
Ladies' Rooms: 1904
... payphone out in the hall. But it was something like $18/night, and for a 20-something on a tight budget, it was just fine. ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 01/18/2016 - 11:33am -

        Ladies visiting New York unattended will appreciate an elegant, modern hotel, receiving only women as lodgers: the new HOTEL MARTHA WASHINGTON, extending from 29th to 30th Street, 100 feet from Madison Avenue. Rooms at moderate prices. Superior Restaurant for Ladies and Gentlemen. Every comfort and careful service. Write for booklet before you select an hotel. - ADV. New York, 1904. "Hotel Martha Washington." Built by the Women's Hotel Company. 8x10 inch glass negative, Detroit Publishing Co. View full size. Divvying the goodsInteresting to see what looks like rag and bone men divvying up the goods right in front of the hotel's entrance. The ladies must have had better quality trash. Remember the hotel in "Big"?I stayed at the Martha Washington in the 70s, while interviewing for jobs out of college. Back then it was more akin to the hotel Tom Hanks stayed in in "Big". Hallway bathrooms, people speaking Spanish on the payphone out in the hall. But it was something like $18/night, and for a 20-something on a tight budget, it was just fine. Amazingly thrivingBut no longer women only. (The Gallery, DPC, NYC)
Double Panama: 1915
... set of webcams which allow you to watch the show day or night. They also have a few clips of transits, e.g. of the USS New Jersey . ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/19/2014 - 3:58pm -

Circa 1915. "Steamer Panama at Pedro Miguel Locks, approach from Miraflores Lake, Panama Canal." Another high-resolution view to mark the centenary of the Panama Canal. 8x10 inch glass negative, Detroit Publishing Co. View full size. Very few fendersInteresting to note that PANAMA has no fenders out and that there's only one fender handing from the lock wall (far side of the lock entry, left side of the picture). She doesn't need them given the placid weather and the ability of the lock personnel to handle her lines (and keep her from touching the walls of the entry with the little electric (?) cars. She's a very trim little freighter. What a great picture! Watching the showThe canal authority maintains a set of webcams which allow you to watch the show day or night. They also have a few clips of transits, e.g. of the USS New Jersey. Deep, Cold FateIn February 1927 SS Panama was sold to the Alaska Steamship Company, renamed SS Aleutian, and transferred to Pacific coastal service. It sank in 1929 off Kodiak. More here. (The Gallery, Boats & Bridges, DPC)
Park Dance Eat: 1940
February 1940. "Dance hall, Saturday night. Marshalltown, Iowa." Medium format acetate negative by Arthur Rothstein ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 02/20/2020 - 4:46pm -

February 1940. "Dance hall, Saturday night. Marshalltown, Iowa." Medium format acetate negative by Arthur Rothstein for the Farm Security Administration. View full size. Ashes by NowForest Park ballroom at 1000 N 3rd Avenue in Marshalltown, was across the street from Riverview Park (site of the main public swimming pool). Rothstein snapped a couple of pictures there during his February 1940 meanderings in Iowa, from Davenport to Iowa City to Marshalltown to Grundy Center. After the ballroom burned, it was replaced in 1977 by a car dealership. Another Victim of FireThe Forest Park Ballroom burned down in 1977 and was replaced with a car dealership. See https://www.timesrepublican.com/news/todays-news/2017/03/ken-wise-dealer... "Then in 1977, after the old Forest Park Ballroom burned down, Wise cleared the property, built a new facility and moved the business to its current location, 1000 N. 3rd Avenue." (The Gallery, Arthur Rothstein, Cars, Trucks, Buses, Small Towns)
Malden Baseball
... along the lines of, Queen, Bohemian Rhapsody? Or ... Night games seemed to be pretty tough (ShorpyBlog, Member Gallery, ... 
 
Posted by Latauska - 09/23/2011 - 12:17am -

My great-grandfather's baseball team in Malden, Massachusetts, circa 1910. His name was Ralph J. Mahar and he is in the front row at the far left. Great Site! View full size. this reminds me ofthis photo reminds me of the famous "meet the beatles" album cover I was thinking...Something along the lines of, Queen, Bohemian Rhapsody? Or ... Night games seemed to be pretty tough (ShorpyBlog, Member Gallery, Portraits)
To Mary, With Love: 1939
... women preparing for their debut into high society Saturday night and oil wells gushing out barrels of black gold for the barons to pay for ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 05/04/2018 - 5:27pm -

July 1939. "Woman living in camp near May Avenue, Oklahoma City. Her husband has been denied work relief. He is a world war veteran." Medium format negative by Russell Lee for the Farm Security Administration. View full size. Old beyond yearsI'll bet this woman is in her 30s. Lots of sun and hard living. Weather-beaten and hopelessOne wonders how they kept on keeping on or how long they actually existed with nothing, not two nickels to rub together. In other areas of Oklahoma City at this time, there were young women preparing for their debut into high society Saturday night and oil wells gushing out barrels of black gold for the barons to pay for their bigger and grander lavish mansions. Who said life was fair? To Mary, With Love; Can This Be Dixie?To Mary, With Love; Can This Be Dixie? (The Gallery, Great Depression, OKC, Russell Lee)
Office Cubical: 1910
... Warehouse District - is alive and well with many popular night spots and eateries. (The Gallery, Cleveland, DPC, Streetcars) ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/01/2016 - 12:55pm -

Circa 1910. "Rockefeller Building and Superior Avenue -- Cleveland, O." 8x10 inch dry plate glass negative, Detroit Publishing Company. View full size. Track gaugeAre all the tracks the same gauge? An Amazing Assortment of Ancient VehiclesWhat an amazing assortment of ancient vehicles, though of course most of them were not ancient at the time. No less than nine trolley cars are in view. The large leading car is an "interurban," providing service between communities. This type travelled on city streets and then on its own right-of-way when it got out of town. Some of them could hit 90 MPH. The next two trolleys appear to be "convertible" cars whose window panels were removed during the hot summer months. There are safety bars to prevent patrons from falling out. The early autos are also very interesting - any antique auto museum would be thrilled to have this assortment today. Parked on the side street on the right is an very "upright"-looking machine which might be an early electric car, perhaps a Baker Electric. Horses are still very much in evidence. In just a few years, the horses will be pretty much gone, the streetcars have maybe 40-45 more years, and the "brass era" autos will go the way of all tech. Stuff there todayIt's nice that the only buildings now gone from that block are the two small ones directly left of the Rockefeller. They, along with the building at far right, are now parking lots. The surrounding area - the Warehouse District - is alive and well with many popular night spots and eateries. (The Gallery, Cleveland, DPC, Streetcars)
War Hoops: 1951
... Today they're on the basketball court But last night they were climbing the water tower. (The Gallery, ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 09/30/2013 - 10:56am -

August 23, 1951. "Indian Head Camp, Bushkill, Pennsylvania. Boys on basketball court." Large-format acetate negative by Gottscho-Schleisner. View full size. Shirts 6Skins 2. good olde running shoesNotice the standard "fits all" running shoes that were inexpensive back in the fifties. Today's engineered, NBA celebrity endorsed running shoes go for hundreds of dollars and I wonder if they generate any greater number of baskets. Today they're on the basketball courtBut last night they were climbing the water tower. (The Gallery, Gottscho-Schleisner, Sports)
Lux Nocturna: 1933
... from St. George Hotel in Brooklyn to financial district, night view." 5x7 acetate negative by Gottscho-Schleisner. View full size. ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 12/19/2016 - 1:33pm -

January 6, 1933. "Manhattan from St. George Hotel in Brooklyn to financial district, night view." 5x7 acetate negative by Gottscho-Schleisner. View full size. A Gershwin momentI'm sure this is what he had in mind when he wrote Rhapsody in Blue (or, if not, it's what he SHOULD've had in mind). World-famous indoor swimming poolI stayed in the St. George several times as an Army brat going and coming from Germany. The military had a contract to provide lodging for in-transit military families. The one thing I remember most is the huge basement swimming pool at the St. George. As I recall, that was quite a calling card back in the '50s. I remember it being very dark and reeking of chlorine. (The Gallery, Gottscho-Schleisner, NYC)
Department of Justice: 1917
... , who at times has had over 600 men at work on day and night shifts. Great difficulties had to be overcome in obtaining the ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 07/17/2012 - 10:21pm -

Washington, D.C., circa 1917. "U.S. Department of Justice, exterior, Vermont and K streets N.W." Harris & Ewing Collection glass negative. View full size. I have to say...I like Vermont Avenue better in 1917 than the way it is today. Looking at Google Street View, the DOJ building is still there, but improved into something ugly, and the lovely old buildings behind it are gone, replaced by sterile blah. Oh, 1917, where are you?! Buildings and View CamerasFirst, I have to say I just discovered Shorpy's and it's absolutely marvelous! I could - and will - spend days looking through it. In the Department of Justice shot, the odd skewing of the windows would indicate that the photographer has used the tilting front of the view camera to make sure the external edges of the buildings are vertical, which they are. Not all lenses had enough coverage to allow you to do this to any great extent, and the result was a darkening of the upper corners ("vignetting"), which has happened here. For the next 92 years, photographers often darkened the upper corners during printing. Sometimes it did a nice job of framing a print, but it's interesting to speculate how often they were imitating the older shots. The same thing happened in landscapes - the slow glass plates meant slow shutter speeds, which turned waterfalls and rapids into a misty vapor. To this day landscape photographers duplicate that effect, even though it doesn't look anything like moving water. DOJ Building HistoryThis was the long-waited for replacement of the temporary offices located half a block away at 1435 K street. Congress first authorized construction of new offices for the Department of Justice in 1889. After sixteen years of inaction on this project it was eventually built amazingly quickly once a site was finally chosen. The Federal Housing Administration took occupancy in 1934. Sold in 1953 to GEICO, the Government Employees Insurance Co. moved in in 1956. GEICO moved out in 1967. Not sure when the structure was razed/refaced to make way for current building Washington Post, Dec 17, 1916 Built In Record Time New Home Ready for Department of Justice January 1. Receiving the finishing touches now, the Department of Justice building, at the corner of Fifteenth and Vermont avenue, will be ready to turn over to its future occupants before January 1, having been completed in the record time of five months from the pouring of the first concrete. It is eight stories in height, each story being laid out for the convenience of one of the six divisions of the department, with one floor for the Attorney General, and his immediate staff, and another for the very extensive department library. It is built entirely of reinforced concrete, with two-story facade of limestone, and the balance faced with hytex brick trimmed with stone. The floors are steel beams and concrete, the whole completely fireproof. It is equipped with smokeless boilers, [central] vacuum cleaners, and running refrigerated water, and is finished in mahogany throughout. Three elevators give service from basement to roof. The building was started July 27 under penalty of $500 a day for overtime in delivery after January 1, has been pushed to completion under the personal supervision of Harry Wardman, who at times has had over 600 men at work on day and night shifts. Great difficulties had to be overcome in obtaining the necessary material, owing to the existing car shortage and the demands made upon the steel companies by munitions manufacturers and for railroad and structural material by warring nations of Europe. The investment is reported at approximately $600,000, and the lease to the government is at $26,000 per year for five years from July 1, 1917. View Larger Map Some architectgot paid good money to turn those clean, classic lines into a monstrosity. (The Gallery, D.C., Harris + Ewing)
Telluride Tracks: 1940
... in great condition. Here's a more recent photo (at night) looking west along Depot Avenue toward the original Telluride depot: ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 06/22/2019 - 9:34am -

September 1940. "Narrow gauge railway yards, train and water tank at Telluride, Colorado." Medium format negative by Russell Lee for the Farm Security Administration. View full size. Aspen & DepotThe photo is taken from near the present location of the Cosmopolitan restaurant, looking west along what is now Depot Avenue. Most of the houses and sheds just to the right of frame are still there and in great condition. Here's a more recent photo (at night) looking west along Depot Avenue toward the original Telluride depot: Victim of the scrapyardBaldwin built #453 and fourteen of her sisters in the 125 class (later reclassed as K-27 and nicknamed “Mudhens”) in 1903 for the Denver & Rio Grande. 453 was used in her later years as a switcher in the Durango, Colorado yard, finally meeting the scrapper’s torch in 1954. The last two K-27s built are preserved and still in operation: #463 on the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad running between Antonito, CO and Chama, NM, and #464 on the Huckleberry Railroad near Flint, MI. (The Gallery, Frontier Life, Railroads, Russell Lee)
Greene County: 1941
... above the rear axle? It's a place to hang a lantern at night. Going to Town This is one of 70 photographs in the "Bound for ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 09/08/2011 - 9:38pm -

May 1941. Going to town on a Saturday afternoon in Greene County, Georgia. View full size. 35mm Kodachrome transparency by Jack Delano. Dignity!I saw scenes like this in the late 40s, after the war, in North and South Carolina. No seat belts; no air bags; no back rest, although the two ladies do appear to be sitting on a coat for a bit of cushioning. See the piece of wood sticking out just above the rear axle? It's a place to hang a lantern at night. Going to TownThis is one of 70 photographs in the "Bound for Glory" exhibit now showing at The Grace Museum in Abilene TX. The exhibit depicts color photographs taken during the years 1940-44 during a government-sponsored project to document in pictures Americsn urban life in the post-Depression era. It was a fantastic exhibit! Will be available here through mid-January. (The Gallery, Jack Delano, Rural America)
Immigrant Children Meet Santa
... Zone Looks like Art Carney's portrayal of Santa in The Night of the Meek from the Zone. Remembering that day. It's funny that ... 
 
Posted by UpNorthBob - 07/27/2012 - 9:36pm -

Even though my cousin Kathy gave this photo the title "Immigrant children meet Santa for the first time," we were not immigrants, even though it looks like we had just escaped war-torn Warsaw. And we had met Santa many times, despite brother Billy's concerned expression. Taken in 1959 at the Ford Rotunda, Detroit, MI. View full size. Bucky Fuller and the RotundaMany a home in the tri-county area have photos with Santa at the Rotunda. I never got to see it; it burned down when I was a toddler, although my parents told me it was fantastic. Small consolation to a kid. Ford Rotunda in KodachromeFrom my collection of old Kodachrome slides, here is an exterior view and an interior view of the Ford Rotunda. Santa wouldn't be making his 1955 appearance at the Rotunda for another 5 months. The sign in front of the 1956 Ford Fairlane Station Wagon in the interior shot reads, "MICHIGAN leads the nation in the number of state parks and prepared campsites available to the public!" Twilight ZoneLooks like Art Carney's portrayal of Santa in The Night of the Meek from the Zone. Remembering that day.It's funny that I remember that day so well. I remember that the LAST place I wanted to be was at the Ford Rotunda Christmas display. I wanted to be home, because the Harlem Globetrotters were going to be on ABC's Wide World of Sports that day, and I wanted to watch. Sadly, we returned home just as the program was ending. (ShorpyBlog, Member Gallery)
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