Throwback Thursday "City of NY Dept of Health Bulletin 1918"

A very relatable bulletin from the City of NY Department of Health from 1918. I think we can all agree this is a good reminder in our current pandemic of 2020. As I stated before, my Mother's sister passed away at age 4 during the 1918 pandemic. I was able to find her death certificate after my Mom passed away, they always called her Rosie but on her death certificate her name was May. I can't imagine losing a 4 year old child and what my Grandmother went through. I am saddened I didn't get to know her, as I was so close to all my Mom's side of the family. They were a warm and loving group of people. Let us remember all those lost in 1918 & 2020; let's hope the next time one of these comes along, we will be better prepared and have less loss.

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Throwback Thursday "Vintage Flatiron District"

One of my favorite areas of the city is the Flatiron District. This very cool photograph which shows the area in 1884, before the famed building was constructed! Here is some more info from the website where you can purchase this and have in your very home, H.A. Dunne and Co.  :

Looking south at the intersection of Broadway and Fifth Avenue at East 23rd today, you would see the prow of the famed Flatiron Building, but in 1884 you would see a much different "ship." The distinctive shape of the intersection makes the location easily identifiable. At this time, the site was owned by Amos Eno and was known as Eno's flatiron. As can be seen in the photograph, Eno sold advertising on the side of the Cumberland apartment building he owned. Apparently there was a big market for various medicinal plasters.

I think it would be pretty cool to do a whole wall of vintage New York City photographs in one's home. So much history and fabulous architecture from over 100 years ago!!

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Throwback Thursday "Flatiron Building"

What a great photo this is! Taken in 1902, during the construction of the famous Flatiron Building, which was called the Fuller Building. Upon completion in 1902, it was one of the tallest buildings in the city at 20 floors high, and one of only two skyscrapers north of 14th Street – the other being the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company Tower, one block east. The building sits on a triangular block formed by Fifth Avenue, Broadway and East 22nd Street, with 23rd Street grazing the triangle's northern (uptown) peak. As with numerous other wedge-shaped buildings, the name "Flatiron" derives from its resemblance to a cast-iron clothes iron.

The building, which has been called "one of the world's most iconic skyscrapers, and a quintessential symbol of New York City", anchors the south (downtown) end of Madison Square and the north (uptown) end of the Ladies' Mile Historic District. 

This building, no matter how many times I see it, I have to stare, admire and photograph it! 

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Throwback Thursday "Arthur Ashe"

Since this is the week of the US Open tennis tournament, our throwback Thursday features a great man and tennis player. Arthur Ashe’s dramatic victory at the first U.S. Open, fifty years ago, ushered in a new era for diversity in the game and for the bankability of its stars.

In the early 1980s, Ashe is believed to have contracted HIV from a blood transfusion he received during heart bypass surgery. Ashe publicly announced his illness in April 1992 and began working to educate others about HIV and AIDS. He founded the Arthur Ashe Foundation for the Defeat of AIDS and the Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health before his death from AIDS-related pneumonia at age 49 on February 6, 1993.

On June 20, 1993, Ashe was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by the United States President Bill Clinton.

"From what we get, we can make a living; what we give, however, makes a life." - Arthur Ashe

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Throwback Thursday "Little Italy"

This cool shot of Little Italy in the 1900's make you wish you had a time machine, doesn't it? I could stare at this photo for hours just to see all the little details. What a change this area has had in the last few centuries. In 2015, Little Italy is shrinking daily, due to high rents and cultural conflict. It will be shame if this part of New York City is no more, and all we have left are these wonderful memories from a bygone era.

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Throwback Thursday "Cooling off in Harlem"

With all this heat we have been dealing with in the Northeast (and horrible rain) I thought this was a great shot for August which is usually one hot month! Children getting cool in Harlem with a sprinkler - the photo actually makes me feel cooler already! The photograph is by Todd Webb taken around 1946 and really shows the fun neighborhoods had in those days. It for sure seems like a much more simple time.

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Throwback Thursday "1890's Madison Square"

What an amazing vintage photograph! So clear and crisp with so much detail. This is from the 1890's at Madison Square. Madison Square Park (one of my favorite spots) was owned by William Vanderbilt, and opened in 1879.

Madison Square Park is named for James Madison (1751-1836), a Virginian who was the fourth President of the United States (1809-17). Madison earned the title “father of the Constitution,” from his peers in the Constitutional Convention. He also co-authored The Federalist Papers (1787-88) with New Yorkers Alexander Hamilton and John Jay. Madison was Secretary of State from 1801-09, serving through both of President Thomas Jefferson's terms. As President, he was Commander-in-Chief during the War of 1812 with the British. Madison was the rector of the University of Virginia from 1827 until he died in 1836.

There is so much history to learn about this great city. It is always so cool to read about these places and then see them in person.

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Throwback Thursday " Downton Abbey The Exhibition NYC"

One of my favorite shots taken at the Downton Abbey Exhibition last year in New York City. It really was one of the most amazing exhibitions I have ever seen! They are extended in New York City until September 3rd and if you are a fan of the show, I highly suggest you go. I recently popped in the gift shop to see what new items they had since I was there, and they told me the next stop will be Boston.
I did pick up a few necklaces for myself as they were sold out at Christmas time when I was there. It really is a most wonderful delight and something not to be missed!

If you missed my extensive review of the exhibit, you can find them here:

Downton Abbey The Exhibition Part 1 

Downton Abbey The Exhibition Part 2 

Downton Abbey The Exhibition Part 3 

Downton Abbey The Exhibition Part 4

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Throwback Thursday " Vintage Summer"

We have been having one heck of a heat wave in the Northeast. Temps are just unbearable, and this photo just looks so cool and fun. 2 lovely ladies drying off their hair after a trip in the water on the beach in New York City. These bathing suits look much better than others we have seen, they actually look comfortable!

Stay cool everyone, I think the heat is supposed to relax after today. I am ready for Fall season!

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Throwback Thursday " Harlem 1946"

This photo taken at Amersterdam Avenue near 125th Street, Harlem, is just too fantastic! What a way to say the store is changing hands from father to son. The era was 1946, and the photo was taken by Todd Webb. Here is some information on him from his website:

As a newly discharged Navy veteran, Webb (1905-2000) moved to New York in 1945 to dedicate a year to photographing the city. Armed with a large format camera and tripod, he worked relentlessly and the year turned into several decades. Webb’s images captured the city’s contrasts—from Midtown’s skyscrapers to the Lower East Side’s tenements, from high-powered businessmen in the Financial District to the remnants of old ethnic enclaves in Lower Manhattan. A City Seen includes his investigations of these neighborhoods, as well as Harlem near 125th Street and Third Avenue Elevated, which would be decommissioned in the 1950s. Also featured are portraits by Webb of members of his intimate circle of friends, including Alfred Stieglitz, Harry Callahan, Berenice Abbott, Helen Levitt, and Lisette Model.

What a treasure to leave behind! His books are shown on his website as well which would make a great addition to your photography library.

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Throwback Thursday " Vintage Bathing Suits"

B. Altman & Co. Catalog, Spring and Summer, 1896. 

How cool is this ad from the famous New York City department store, B. Altman? I cannot imagine those bathing suits were comfortable, but I guess that is all they knew! Flannel bathing suits were really not a smart idea! The bathing tights with feet are just quite too much in my opinion. What a fun piece of history to enjoy after 122 years! It must have been hard to swim in these, I would imagine.

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Throwback Thursday "Bloomingdales"

You have to love my favorite store, Bloomingdales, and this amazing shot from 1935. I could stare at this for hours. Here is some of their history from their website:

• 1860-1879
• A Store Is Born
  To think it all started with a 19th century fad - the hoop skirt. That was the first item that Joseph and Lyman Bloomingdale carried in their Ladies' Notions Shop in New York's Lower East Side. In the late 1800's, most fashion retailers specialized in just one type of garment. Not the brothers Bloomingdale - their East Side Bazaar, opened in 1872, sold a wide variety of European fashions. It was the beginning of what would become a "Department Store".

• 1880-1929
• Moving Up In The World
  In 1886 came the visionary move uptown to 59th Street and Lexington Avenue. The store expanded steadily and by the 1920's, Bloomingdale's converted an entire city block.

• 1900-1910
• Read All About It
  Flexing his marketing muscle, Lyman created splashy ad campaigns to bring people in the door. People started seeing the "All Cars Transfer to Bloomingdale's" slogan everywhere - on billboards, delivery wagons, and even ladies' beach umbrellas.

• 1940's
• Lights - Camera - Action!
  Print ads couldn't say it all. The store had to be experienced. So Bloomingdale's became the stage for gala events and fashion shows, including "Woman Of The Year, 1947." With music, lighting and sophistication, it was retailing as theater.

• 1960's
• It's In The Bag
  It's not just what you buy - it's what you take it home in, too. We've always looked for new ways to be creative. In 1961, the Bloomingdale's team came up with the first designer shopping bags. Since then, many have become collector's items.

• 1970's
• Not A Store, But A Destination
  By the 70's, everyone was stopping by 59th Street and Lexington Avenue for a look - including Queen Elizabeth. People came to see and to be seen. Once there, they were dazzled by the cutting-edge fashion of designers like Ralph Lauren, Perry Ellis and Norma Kamali, who got their first truly big opportunities at Bloomingdale's.

• 2000+
• Looking Forward
  Bloomingdale's is committed to once again lead the way with exclusive merchandise, customized services, and alternative shopping venues. Carrying on the Bloomingdale's brothers' dream, we're always finding ways to set our stores apart. That's both the legacy and the promise of Bloomingdale's.

What is your favorite place for shopping therapy in New York City ?

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Throwback Thursday "Summer 1938"

A very cool photo of a shaved ice vendor in New York City in 1938. I just love the cart, I wonder how much it cost? Probably 5 cents! How cool that he has a big block of ice right there shaving as you order! I love the cars parked on the other side of the street. It must have been very interesting in the summers in the 1930's to keep cool. I still don't think they had the heat that we deal with in 2018. I know myself shaved ice always makes me quite happy, especially with some grape flavor on top!

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Throwback Thursday "1970's Times Square"

How cool is this shot from the 1970's of Times Square? It is not really that long ago, but it looks so much different in 2018! I never thought I would say a photo from the 1970's looks vintage, but it oh so does big time. It is for sure quite a different era than when we visit today. How cool that photography can send us back in time - one of the reasons I love it so much.

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Throwback Thursday "Decoration Day 1875"

Decoration Day, 1875 at Broadway and Bond Street

President Lyndon B. Johnson declared the upstate New York town of Waterloo to be the birthplace of the holiday, originally known as Decoration Day to commemorate soldiers lost in the Civil War. Southern states refused to celebrate the holiday until after World War I and not until after World War II was Memorial Day widely celebrated and known by its current name.

These photos are so neat to still have around for us to enjoy. The Memorial Day holiday is a wonderful way to thank the men and women who died in the armed forces fighting for our freedom.

Never forget and forever honored.

Throwback Thursday "Fifth Avenue 1905"

Fifth Avenue at East 56th Street

Photographer: Detroit Publishing Company

Year: 1905

What a cool photo of 5th Avenue! I just love this, so much character and look how clean! I love those cars parked on the side of the street. You can walk all over New York and see the most amazing architecture all around you. It still amazes me each time I visit, even though I have been there so many times. There is always something new that catches your eye and makes you smile.

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Photo Gallery Thursday "Jacqueline de Ribes: The Art of Style"

Since we are enjoying the latest Metropolitan Museum of Art fashion exhibit, I thought we would go back to the one in 2015 titled "Jacqueline de Ribes: The Art of Style". This was really an amazing exhibit, and one of my favorite pieces, this gorgeous gown is for your enjoyment today. What a fashion statement indeed. (if you click on the photo, it will enlarge for you) 

I just love the above quote, because, it is oh so true!! New York is the glamour capital of the world!

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Throwback Thursday "John D. Rockefeller"

With all the news of the Peggy and David Rockefeller auction at Christie's next week, I thought it was fitting to show the man behind the Rockefeller history. We will be visiting the Christie's auction next week, as I had the privilege to view the amazing items. John Davidson Rockefeller Sr. was an American oil industry business magnate, industrialist, and philanthropist. He is widely considered the wealthiest American of all time, and the richest person in modern history. John D. Rockefeller is the second-wealthiest figure of the modern period (net worth of $336 billion).

Mr. Rockefeller formally founded his most famous company, the Standard Oil Company, Inc., in 1870 as an Ohio partnership with William, Flagler, Andrews, Jabez A. Bostwick, and a silent partner, Stephen V. Harkness. He ran it until 1897.

Rockefeller's charitable giving began with his first job as a clerk at age 16, when he gave six percent of his earnings to charity, as recorded in his personal ledger. The Rockefeller family is well know for their charity work, and the proceeds of the Peggy and David Rockefeller auction will be going to their favorite charities.

Be sure to subscribe to the blog so you do not miss my visit to the Rockefeller auction at Christie's in New York. It was truly a remarkable visit, with some most amazing pieces of art that took my breathe away!

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Throwback Thursday " Union Square Flower Market"

A very cool shot here of the Union Square Flower Market from the Library of Congress. I am not sure what year it was taken. So many details here for us to enjoy. Those flowers look like they are in the best condition. I love all the hats on the men and the one elegant lady. I walk around the city anymore thinking of all these folks who walked before me in the same spots over 200 years ago. Amazing.


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Throwback Thursday " Marilyn Monroe"

A very cool photo of Marilyn Monroe from 1955 on the balcony of the Ambassador Hotel, located at Park Avenue between East 50 and 51st Streets. The photographer was Ed Feingersh (1924-1961). The neo-classical hotel, built in 1921, is no longer there. Marilyn Monroe, passed away in 1962, an amazing 56 years ago. You wonder what she must have been thinking just looking over this balcony at the busy streets of the city.

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