At the turn-of-the century, New York City had over a million horses serving the public. That situation was greatly affected by the arrival of automobiles. By the 1920s there were few horse drawn carriages still transporting people to their destinations. Along with the subway and buses, the taxi / auto industry had taken the horse’s place.
So what did these early taxi cabs look like? Below are some examples.
This Detroit Publishing Company photograph is from 1900. We are looking east along 23rd Street. The corner of Madison Avenue and Madison Square Park is visible on the left.
The 11-story building completed in 1893 is the home office of The Metropolitan Life Insurance Company.
To the left of Metropolitan Life is the Madison Square Presbyterian Church. The church was led from 1880-1918 by Dr. Charles Parkhurst, a vocal foe Continue reading
We are looking east along 14th Street towards Fourth Avenue. There are al least 50 people in the background, but the sparsity of pedestrians and traffic in this usually very busy area indicates that this was probably taken on a Sunday morning.
The seven small buildings between 14th and 15th Streets feature advertising of the day.
With street scenes as this, establishing a date is as simple as looking at the surroundings. Continue reading
Skating Star & Actor Who Are Romancing
Beverly Hills, CA – Sonja Henie, famous figure skating star, at present working in pictures in Hollywood, and Tyrone Power actor, do a little billing and cooing at the Tropics Cafe, here. Photo: International News Photos February 7 , 1937.
Tyrone Power was Sonja Henie’s co-star in Thin Ice with production of the film running from May through July 1937. It’s the story of a hotel ski instructor who falls in love with a man who goes skiing every morning.
Sonja Henie was born on April 8, 1912. The Norwegian three-time Gold medal Olympic skater Continue reading
FELLER NAMED SPORTS FATHER OF THE YEAR
New York, NY – Bob Feller kisses his wife, who ought to know, after he is awarded medal as 1948’s “Sports Father Of The Year” at the Yankee Stadium here today. In addition to the kiss, Mrs. Feller got orchids from her husband too. The medal was awarded to the Cleveland star pitcher by an ice cream company in behalf of the youngsters of America who look upon Bob as quite a guy. Photo: Herb Scharfman / International News, June 12, 1948
The award to Feller was first announced on May 26, 1948 by the National Father’s Day Committee. The previous year’s sports award winner was Babe Ruth. The award was given to Feller between games of a double-header at Yankee Stadium.
68,586 fans attended the twin-bill on June 12 and saw the Indians sweep the Yankees 7-5 and 9-4.
The Indians would go on to win the World Series in 1948.
In 1948, the 29-year-old Feller had two sons Steven and Martin. A third son, Winthrop Bruce Feller was born 1950.
But Feller had issues with his wife Virginia Winther, who he married on January 16, 1943.
According to the Society for American Baseball Research, “Virginia, had become addicted Continue reading
Jayne Mansfield was always a willing publicity participant, especially if it was for charity.
The news slug below begins by calling Jayne “buxom.” That probably would not fly today. Continue reading
Marilyn Monroe in New York City sitting by a fountain. c 1955 photo Sam Shaw
The odds that any female movie legend reaches the age of 100 are extremely slim.
Currently Eva Marie Saint (On The Waterfront; North By Northwest) is 101. Lee Grant (In The Heat of the Night; Shampoo) is 100. Olivia de Havilland lived to 104. Gloria Stuart (Titanic, The Invisible Man) was 100 when she died. If movie stars do reach the magic age of 100 they generally stay out of the spotlight and will not allow photographs to be taken of them.
Had Marilyn Monroe not died at age 36 on August 4, 1962, it is unlikely she would have lived to be 100-years-old. Life expectancy actuarial tables bear this out. Marilyn’s documented medical issues, both physical and mental, would be another longevity barrier, Speculating what Marilyn would look like at 100 is preposterous.
But why should that stop Artificial Intelligence programs from creating an image of what Marilyn would look like at age 100?
Marilyn Monroe 2026 AI photo edited
Marilyn Monroe’s mother- Gladys Pearl Monroe Baker Mortensen Eley c 1970s.
Gladys Baker Eley July 6 , 1963 photo: AP
Marilyn’s mother Gladys Monroe Baker lived until 1984, dying at the age of 81.
These two photographs of Gladys, Continue reading
MONTREAL: Montreal Expos’ Rusty Staub (10) collides with Pittsburgh Pirates’ catcher Jerry May (12) after scoring Montreal’s second R.B.I. on a single by Coco Laboy, which also scored Don Hahn in the first inning here. August 4, 1970 photo: UPI Telephoto
Even though Rusty Staub scored, the Expos lost the game 4-2.
Baseball players have always played hard. It’s just that Continue reading
ALL THE COMFORTS OF HOME
The best of friends are Bette Davis and Richard Nichols. Bette doesn’t make a practice of serving as a cushion for young men on her movie sets but Richard is an exception.He’s 4-years-old and his friendship with the distinguished actress dates from the first days shooting on All This, And Heaven Too, the Warner filmization of the Rachel Field novel, starring Miss Davis and Charles Boyer. Master Nichols plays the important role of the Duc de Praslin’s youngest child. The youngster completely captivated everyone concerned with the production; no one “fell” harder for him than Bette. photo Warner Bros. Studio, Burbank, CA 1940
Bette Davis has her ever-present cigarette while relaxing between takes with her young co-star Richard Nichols.
Smoking was very acceptable for most of the twentieth century. So there is nothing amiss in having a child sit on your lap while having a smoke.
Richard Nichols, born in Los Angeles, CA on December 14, 1935 appeared in a dozen films. His brothers also were motion picture actors. But Richard Nichols Continue reading
This undated, circa 1910 Detroit Publishing Co. photograph of Harlem’s main stem of 125th Street shows a flurry of activity. We are looking west from Seventh Avenue, today renamed Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard. This area of Harlem looks like a small village with most buildings being four stories or less.
It’s obviously a chilly day, and every pedestrian is well dressed and wearing a hat.
Most don a modern hat. Except for this retro, bearded man in a nineteenth century top hat. Both top hats and beards had fallen completely out of fashion in the early 20th century. He stands under the old lamppost street sign locator near an unusual type of fire hydrant.
On the northwest corner (right) is a Continue reading
