Vintage New York

"QUANTUM SHOT" #306 link Marvel Age: The City of Superheroes The skyscrapers looked more imposing, somehow, in the black-and-white photographs from the bygone era. Perhaps it's the absence of reflective glass facades with their false sky intervals, and over-abundance of bland stone walls, maybe it's (barely visible) spiderwebs spread between the towers by the energetic Peter Parker. Maybe it's the glamorous ladies entering the glitzy clubs, or aromas from genuine Jewish Deli - either way, New York of the 20s to 60s period is a very special place indeed. Click to enlarge this one: (images credit: vintagephoto) If you want to see how it all started, click to enlarge this N.Y. skyline from 1908 on Shorpy site: Thanks to the gorgeous site Lileks, the old postcards have been preserved and displayed, with fascinating history attached. What's more, the architectural wonders of the era stand-out much better on the vintage uncluttered landscape, commanding the attention they justly deserve. The Lincoln Building 500 - Fifth Avenue typical street view Rockefeller Center The Building that stood before the World Trade Center: Hudson Terminal Building covered 2 square blocks and was every bit as massive as the towers built on this space afterwards. One of the largest office building in the world. Looks quite horrifying, actually. Here it is again, with the surroundings: (image credit: shorpy.com) 100-year old skyscrapers: "still standing, and taller than anything in most towns": Addams Express Building, 1914 (image credit: shorpy.com, click to enlarge) (images credit: vintagephoto) This middle-sized (!) hotel "Edison" would've been perfect for Spiderman's climbing exercises: (images courtesy: Lileks.com) Now add some color! Found through Skyscraper City display of the vintage color photographs of American cities, the exceptional Charles W. Cushman Collection shows New York in 1941 and 1960 - and it looks great, even in some gaudy "pulp-ish" color scheme: It is also fascinating to compare the skyline of the yesteryear with modern "commercial jungle" landscape: (all photos from Charles W. Cushman Collection) New York's Magic Today Bright & often glamorous. (images credit: Nicola Praderio) (originals unknown) ALSO READ: "VINTAGE CHICAGO" +StumbleUpon Permanent Link... Category: Architecture,Vintage Related Posts: America in the 30s Dark Roasted Blend's Photography Gear Picks: