A Scandal In Gilded Age New York

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A Gilded Age Affair Cover-Up

Charles Hanson Towne (1877-1949) was a prolific author, poet  and editor of such prestigious magazines as Smart Set, Delineator, McClure’s, Designer, and Harper’s Bazaar.

As an urbane New Yorker, Towne’s hobnobbing with celebrities in literature, stage, politics and society was de riguer. His acquaintances also gave him access to juicy gossip.

In the second of Towne’s memoirs (he wrote three), This New York Of Mine, Cosmopolitan (1931), he relates an apocryphal story which occurred at the turn-of-the-century that Towne claims is true.

There are no names attached to the tale. But if the facts are correct an online detective could figure out Continue reading →

The Tragedy Of A Forgotten & Handsome 19th Century Artist

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The Story Of Artist Reuben H. Norcott Who Died As His Star Was Rising

It’s funny when you are reading an old newspaper and you come across a completely different story that leads down a rabbit hole.

Such is the case of Reuben H. Norcott.

While researching a story in the Chicago Daily Tribune from 1883 about another person, I saw Norcott’s story on the same page.

I quickly became immersed in Norcott’s story as told by an (unfortunately) unnamed New York correspondent for the Tribune. Continue reading →

Sexual Innuendo Postcards – Same Message With Different Risque Images

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The Risque Postcard 1906-1908

While both of these double entendre postcards would be considered risque around 1900, the photographs are quite different.

This first postcard of “Practice This Piece With Me” from 1907 implies making out during piano practice time.

The second postcard goes a bit further. Notice where his hand is. Continue reading →

Yankees Catcher Bill Dickey -1938

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Bill Dickey Is Ready For World Series

These two news press photographs of the Yankees star catcher Bill Dickey were released one day apart in late September 1938. The photos were almost certainly taken the same day.

The stadium appears to be Chicago’s Comiskey Park where the Yankees played the White Sox the previous week, September 20-22.

The first news Continue reading →

Classic Hollywood #184 – Brian Aherne & Wife Eleanor

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Brian Aherne Dancing With His Wife Eleanor Labrot 1948

While standing next to Brian Aherne at a party one day, Gary Cooper said quietly out of the side of his mouth, “How tall are you?”

“Six foot two and a half,” Aherne answered.

“Me too,” said Cooper. “Never admit to six foot three!”

A few years later at a party in Washington D.C., General George C. Marshall asked the identical question in the identical way.

“I used Gary’s line to reply six two and a half, never admit to six foot three,” Aherne said. And the General replied, “Me too!”

The point is Continue reading →

Clint Eastwood Singing On His 1962 Album

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Go Ahead… Make My Song,

Clint Eastwood 1960s Crooner

When you say the name Clint Eastwood, the first thing that comes to your mind is usually not “singer.”

The actor, director and producer turned 95 on May 31, 2025. Eastwood has not appeared in a film since 2021’s Cry Macho, but he did direct Juror #2 in 2024. Next up for producer Eastwood, is a remake of The Gauntlet starring Tom Cruise and Scarlett Johansson, currently in pre-production.

Though Clint Eastwood has sung in many movies, few people associate, Eastwood, “The Man With No Name” and “Dirty Harry” as a vocalist.

But back when Eastwood Continue reading →

Old New York In Photos #186 – 3rd Avenue & 86th Street 1920

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Looking West From The Corner Of Third Avenue & 86th Street – March 1, 1920

This photograph was taken by the Department of Bridges official photographer,  Eugene de Salignac.

For over three decades until 1934, de Salignac took thousands of photographs for his job with the city. Many show an artistic eye and were compiled in New York Rises: Photographs by Eugene de Salignac (2007) Aperture. Continue reading →

Old New York In Photos #185 – Ninth Avenue 23rd Street 1930

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The Ninth Avenue El From 23rd Street – May 31, 1930

With London Terrace Apartments About To Begin Construction

This photograph by Percy Loomis Sperr shows the Ninth Avenue El looking north from the west side of 23rd Street.

We can see the entire corner from 23rd to 24th Street has been cleared in preparation for the construction of the London Terrace apartment complex. London Terrace has 14 buildings stretching from Ninth to Tenth Avenues. Continue reading →