Category Archives: Photography

Bullet Train Arrives & New York City Cares About Pollution – 1934

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New York City Says No To Coal Or Oil Burning Trains – 1934

In the 1970s practically every apartment building had an incinerator to burn its trash. New York City’s sky had a constant haze of air pollution from a variety of smog producing outlets.

So it may be surprising to realize that New York did have concerns about air pollution in the 1930s. This photograph with the news slug explains:

An Electric Locomotive Draws The Record-Breaking Coast To Coast Train
New York – A scene on the Park Avenue elevated tracks in New York, showing the Union Pacific “Bullet Train” being drawn by an electric locomotive into Grand Central Terminal at the end of the 56-hour, 57-minute record breaking journey from Los Angeles. The locomotive was attached at Harmon, New York to conform with the law which prohibits a coal or oil burning engine o go through New York. The stream line train is an oil burner. photo: International News 10-25-1934

Union Pacific’s Continue reading →

A Valuable Motorcycle At The 1926 Bicycle Show

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Show Girl Agnes O’ Loughlin On A 1926 Excelsior Super X Motorcycle

The 12th National Bicycle Show
New York: Photo shows Agnes O’Loughlin riding the ivory and gold motorcycle which was one of the principle exhibits at the 12th National Bicycle Show at the new Madison Square Garden. photo; King Features Syndicate 1-12-1926

Some things have not changed much in one hundred years. Companies still hire pretty women to demonstrate their products at conventions.

Admission to The National Bicycle Show in 1926 was fifty cents. The show was held at the third and newest building named “Madison Square Garden” which opened on November 29, 1925 at  Eighth Avenue between 49th and 50th Street. Continue reading →

Old New York In Photos #194 – Seventh Avenue & 23rd St. – 1916

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Seventh Ave Looking North From 23rd Street

This photograph was taken by the City of New York to document construction along Seventh Avenue. The date is Tuesday, August 29 ,1916. The high temperature for the day was a comfortable 71 degrees.

The extension of the subway from Times Square south of Seventh Avenue to the Battery would necessitate ripping up the street along the route. Continue reading →

Classic Hollywood #192 – William Powell

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William Powell Paramount Publicity Photograph 1929

And A Rare Interview About Playing A Part

37-year-old William Powell looks very tan in this 1929 Paramount Pictures publicity photograph. Powell also looks like he has a case of the mumps.

Powell is best known to classic movie fans for author Dashiell Hammett’s creation; Nick Charles, a former private detective, in a series of hugely popular Thin Man films with Myrna Loy Continue reading →

Classic Hollywood #190 – Lillian Gish, King Vidor & Irving Thalberg

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Lillian Gish, King Vidor & Irving Thalberg On The Set of La Bohème 1925

Exclusive Layout – 25 Years Of Movie Making – M-G-M – An interior shot in 1925: The antiquated “silent” camera shoots the first scene for “La Bohème” starring Lillian Gish, while director King Vidor (c) and the late Irving Thalberg, famous young M-G-M production chief, stand by. photo: M-G-M Photos, July 8, 1948 ( uncredited in photo behind the camera is cinematographer Hendrick Sartov)

In 1925, Lillian Gish was beginning a one million dollar contract to make six films in two years for Metro Goldwyn Mayer.

But, when Gish arrived at MGM no preparations were in place for her. No stories or even ideas, no directors, nothing. Continue reading →

Brooklyn Dodger Star Roy Campanella & Sons At Spring Training 1951

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Roy Campanella Shows His Sons The Tools Of The Trade

Dodgers Have A Family Act
Miami, Fla – If the boys turn out to be chips off the old block, the Dodgers will be all set in the catching department, if, and when, catcher Roy Campanella hangs up his mask and gloves. Here is Campanella with his sons, David, 7, and Roy, Jr., 2, as he puts them through their paces at Miami Stadium. The Dodgers won their first game yesterday in the Grapefruit League by shading the Boston Braves, 10-9 in an error-spangled game. photo: Herb Scharfman International News,  March 12 1951

Roy Campanella, because of the color barrier with an Italian father and Black mother, did not enter the major leagues until 1948 when he was 26. He played 10 sterling seasons, all for the Dodgers, and would win three Most Valuable Player Awards. Baseball legend Ty Cobb was impressed enough to say “Campanella will be remembered longer than any catcher in baseball history.”

Campanella’s career came to a tragic end Continue reading →

Old New York In Photos #193 – Street Toy Merchants 1903

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Street Vendors With Toys Attract A Crowd

The year is 1903 and two toy merchants are showing their products to passerby. The title of the photograph by the Detroit Publishing Co. is “Gutter Toy Merchant.” That is a term I have never heard applied to those who sell merchandise on the sidewalk. Continue reading →

Mickey Mantle At Yankees Spring Training 1971

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Mickey Mantle Gives Advice To Prospects Rick Bladt and Joe Pactwa

Besides “hustle, play hard and be your best” what could Mickey Mantle say to young Yankee prospects? After all, they’re not Mickey Mantle.

As the news slug says:

March 8, 1971 -Ft. Lauderdale, FLA: Former Yankee great Mickey Mantle (L), a special instructor with the team at their spring training camp, gives some pointers to rookie outfield hopefuls Rich Bladt (C) and Joe Pactwa recently. Bladt played at Syracuse last season and Pactwa played at Manchester, N.H.. UPI Telephoto

RIck Bladt did get to play in the majors. Continue reading →

Old New York In Photos #192 – The Bowery At The Turn-Of-The-Century

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Transportation On The Bowery Near Houston Street c. 1900

In this magic lantern slide view from around 1900. a pair of horse drawn trolleys make their way along the Bowery. One going to Harlem – one coming from Harlem. The horses trod along the trolley rails laid within the Belgian block pavement. A delivery wagon is parked at the curb.

The four car train Continue reading →