Modern Streets, Old Crimes

Photographer and historian for the New York Press Photographers Association Marc Hermann created a series of photos photos which mash-up  current photos with New York Daily News crime scene images. Albeit morbid in some instances, these are pretty dang clever.

(Above) Resident Enda Egbert on her window ledge in conflict with policemen as they try to get her to climb back in. Brooklyn, 1942.

(Above) Firefighters at the Elkins Paper & Twine Co attempting to contain a fire which took the lives of six. Manhattan, 1958.

(Above) The scene of a stolen car which crashed into a light pole. Brooklyn, 1957.

Read more and view more images at Curbed. A handful are graphic in nature. View more of Marc Hermann's work at his website.

Times Square Circa 1970

When I told my father that I was moving to New York City after college, he seemed a bit concerned. He mentioned the deterioration in the streets of Times Square when he was last there in the 70's.  Gothamist is featuring a set of photos during this decade which justify my father's thoughts. Check out the full set here.

New York City Lobbies from Early the 1900's!

Gothamist has cool 28 photo set of New York City luxury building lobbies from the early 1900's. I love the  grandiose spaces with well-spaced furnishings. Navigate here for details on locations.

The Evolution of Cheerleaders

Retronaut has a fun series of photos tracking the evolution of cheerleaders. Check it out here.

A look back at NYC cabs

Have you ever wondered what cabs looked like back in 1906? Check out this photo series of past to present New York City taxi vehicles.

A Four Minute Tour of 1970's NYC

It's no wonder my folks, who hadn't been to New York in decades, advised me against moving to the city after college. She cleaned up nice. (And I don't play tour guide in areas they didn't :)

Wall Street: 100 Years Ago

Wall Street doesn't look much different today.

(via)

President Block Set

For the history teacher you love, these building blocks showcase facial renderings of forty-four U.S. Presidents and also can be arranged into an American flag. Each individual cube is decorated with a face, name/nickname, lifespan, party affiliation, term and number.

New York Subway: Historical Photos

The New York Times has a pretty amazing set of historical photos of the subway. View the slideshow here.

Looking out West and back in time (UCLA arhive).

Pat Hall, "Miss 7-Cent Cup of Coffee, 1950."
Serving William E. Kinman coffee while wearing a bikini.
Los Angeles, CA --1950.

Policeman Chuck Peyton checks to see if the old-fashioned bathing suit worn by actress Myrna Ross complies with 1933 Redondo Beach ordinance banning women's suits that are more than 3 inches above knee. The city attorney warned enforcement may be necessary if topless suits appear on beaches. Male swimmers would also be required to wear more discreet attire.

Nancy Kennedy: diet cola and french fries.
The theory is that diet drink saves enough calories to allow for the fattening french fries.
L.A. Times --1965.

brothel to new york's oldest surviving tavern: Bridge Cafe

After spending the afternoon taking care of errands and finding ways to fully exercise the freedom found in Sunday afternoons: I walked down to the Bridge Cafe, for drinks, and a bite. The Michelin Guide recommended spot is the oldest surviving tavern in New York. Complete with a history beginning as a brothel, and ghost stories; you can read the history in the pattern pressed into the ceiling and seemingly thin walls.

A few featured wines tempted me: Cupcake Chardonnay (2007) and the Dry Creek Chenin Blanc. To nibble, I shared the Crab, Spinach and Artichoke Fondue with everything crisps. A hearty and rich dip that is well matched to the crispy crackers. The vibe read: locals eat here. It's down a quiet lane under the Brooklyn Bridge. When walking there you feel: secret, private and a bit apprehensive. It's simply too sparse for Manhattan. Inside the tavern: warmth, soft laughter and folks with hearty, yet refined appetites.

Photo: Flickr.

manhattan: the year 1609

For nearly a decade, landscape ecologist Eric Sanderson has been working on the Manhattan Project. Above is a composite of Manhattan in 1609 adjacent to the present build. The image is part of a large scale effort called the "Human Foot Print," which aims to show the impact that humankind have had on the landscape. The New Yorker has a great article detailing the journey and also mention of a exhibit that may be set up in the Museum of Natural History.

Above is my neighborhood...which looks more like: this, today.

photo series: Shelton, CT

Winter Approach

Autumn Bulbs.

The Grinberg Residence

Layered.

Originally inhabited by the Pootatuck Indians, Shelton rests within Fairfield county (incorporated 1789).  Home to Jones Winery, Republican Party control and one of the largest arson fires in United States History. The event took place in 1975 at the Sponge Rubber Factory. Today, Shelton rests as a quintessential New England town with impossibly curvy roads that drop and climb hills, rock walls and velvety landscapes that change to match four distinct seasons. 

Facts: Wikipedia.

photo series, the meat packing district

corner converge.

stacks and lines.

thoughts and bricks.

promenade.

mixed message.

dove, detached.

yeux

media, mixed.

locked and shaped.

By 1900, the Ganesvoort Market housed more than 250 slaughter houses and meat packing plants. A shift in demand changed the climate to a center for drug deals and prostitution rings (mainly for transsexuals) in the 1980's. Heavily hit my the heroine and crack-cocaine epidemic, the neighborhood wasn't cleaned up until retailers such as Diane von Furstenberg, Stella McCartney and Alexander McQueen began to set up shop. Present-day Meat Packing caters to hipsters and young professionals- standing out as one of New York City's most fashionable neighbhorhoods.

first issue, playboy

With the October issue of Vanity Fair featuring a detective approach to the final years of Marilyn Monroe, I found myself wiki-ing her.

I hadn't realized that Playboy hadn't begun its print until the fifties, with Monroe as the debut model! When broken down, it only seems appropriate.

One: for the fact that she was established a sex symbol early in her career.

Two: a year before, a model with striking resemblance to Monroe posed for risque photos which instigated a media-hype that Monroe was the subject. Monroe's solution to the debacle was to simply admit that she was in fact the featured model- and that she had done it to pay her rent. She felt that the portrayal of herself as a struggling actress would be to her advantage. It was. Here's a nod to the first issue of men's magazine, Playboy, which features Monroe on the cover.

Monroe had established a sense of acceptance and respect for her role as a sex symbol. Essentially her decisions developed a career around this designed persona. Smart business, no?

---

Over the years, Playboy has featured short stories by Ian Flemming, Vladmir Nakobov (I just finished Lolita! Am I a failure of a lit major for only now having read it?) and Margaret Atwood.

I'm tempted to gather my thoughts on Lolita- but I'm a bit overwhelmed at this time. As with Death in Venice, I am deep in a jungle of analytical thought that is most likely best left untangled at this time.