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Vest Test: 1923
... DC Sheriff? The District has no Sheriff's Office. Prince George's or Montgomery County, maybe? [Charles Smith was ... in Washington. - Dave] Steve O This would be the 1920's equivalent of "Jackass". Steve O is wearing the suit, Johnny ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 06/09/2018 - 1:44pm -

September 13, 1923. Washington, D.C. "W.H. Murphy of the Protective Garment Corp. of New York stood less than ten feet from [Frederick County, Md.] Deputy Sheriff Charles W. Smith in police headquarters Wednesday and let the deputy fire a .38 caliber revolver straight at his chest. When the bullet hit, Murphy never batted an eye. Inventors ot the bulletproof vest, which weighs about 11 pounds, have put iten the market for the protection of police and other officers in emergency cases. The bullet which Deputy Smith fired into the vest Wednesday was presented to him for a souvenir." View full size. National Photo Company. Live Rounds?Well, the caption suggests this testing was indeed done with live rounds vs. blanks. But despite Mr. Murphy's calm expression, it is hard to believe that "when the bullet hit, Murphy never batted an eye." Color me incredulous. [There are dozens of news items from 1923 about these salesmen making (and taking) the rounds at various police departments. Also reports of lawsuits filed by a few who experienced wardrobe malfunctions: Pierpont Potter, sales rep for United States Armor and the Bulletproof Corp., sued for $20,000 in October 1923 after a bullet pierced his vest, necessitating multiple surgeries to put him back together. - Dave] But the impact...So the vest prevents the bullet from penetrating. But the torso underneath still absorbs the impact. From accounts, I gather that it's somewhat like being smacked with a baseball bat. Could still be dangerous if the impact centers on the solar plexus or something. I mean, ouchie. [On a related note (below), don't try this at home. - Dave] DC Sheriff?The District has no Sheriff's Office. Prince George's or Montgomery County, maybe? [Charles Smith was deputy sheriff of Frederick County, Maryland. The demonstration in the photo was in Washington. - Dave] Steve OThis would be the 1920's equivalent of "Jackass". Steve O is wearing the suit, Johnny Knoxville is pulling the trigger, and Bam Margera is in the white shirt waiting for his turn to fire his pistol. There is absolutely nothing new. Every "new" idea is a rehash as this proves yet again. What A Sales Rep.That is a man who is dedicated to closing the deal! KevlarRandom fun fact: The guy who invented Kevlar shot himself in the chest while wearing a vest to find out if his product would really work. The "guy" who invented KevlarI suspect the most recent comment is an urban legend. Kevlar wasn't invented by any one person, technically, since it was developed at DuPont by a team of people, but the scientist credited with its discovery is Stephanie Kwolek. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephanie_Kwolek KevlarKevlar was not as much group effort but rather it was invented by a lady in 1965 by the name of Stephanie Kwolek while she was working for DuPont. So while they get to keep the intellectual rights to her work, it was indeed a single person who is credited with the invention. [The article you cite does not credit Stephanie Kwolek with the invention of Kevlar. It does, however, note that she is the person who discovered the polyamide solution from which Kevlar fibers are made: "Following this breakthrough many fibers were spun from liquid crystalline solutions, including the yellow Kevlar fiber." - Dave] Check the collar brassThe shooter is a Park Policeman. Vested interestAccording to news reports, this took place in Potomac Park, just north of the train tracks. (The Gallery, Bizarre, Curiosities, D.C., Natl Photo)
Salvation Army: 1920
Washington, D.C, circa 1920. "Salvation Army." At the intersection of E and Eighth streets N.W. Harris ... I guess they didn't get curtains, blinds, or shades in his office). There are two license plates on several of the cars -- each ... they needed such a visible presence? [That's the office of Marlow Coal Co. Most cookstoves and furnaces were fueled by coal -- ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/27/2012 - 3:43pm -

Washington, D.C, circa 1920. "Salvation Army." At the intersection of E and Eighth streets N.W. Harris & Ewing Collection glass negative. View full size. Faded gloryHere's the front of the Gayety (425-433 9th Street N.W.) in 1970, three years before it was razed: Horse parking protocolIncredible gothic windows -- you can see several men sitting at their desks. One has taped a newspaper up to the glass (perhaps to keep the sun out of his eyes. I guess they didn't get curtains, blinds, or shades in his office). There are two license plates on several of the cars -- each jurisdiction required its own registration, so if you lived in Virginia but worked in D.C., you had to register your car in both places. Interstate trucks still have to do that, but thankfully they don't have to wear 40 license plates today. They just get a form from each state, and the word "apportioned" on their home base plate. All of the cars are so different from each other in size and proportion. And there is one lone holdout against those newfangled auto-mobiles. All the cars went front-in to their parking space, but the horse seems to park tail-in. Makes me wonder if there was some logic to that. One would think that the horse would be happier the other way because you could leave him some food and water on the sidewalk. It would also make for less equine byproduct to step in, right at the curb, if you know what I mean. But for some reason his driver didn't think that way. [I'd imagine it was because he had freight to unload. What I want to know is, how do you put a horse in reverse? - Dave] Ben WelchThere's an interesting story associated with the vaudeville star of the "Big Show" on that poster on the right. Ben Welch went blind in the '20s and continued his stage act anyway. Fear of flames. And heights.Yikes. That fire-escape ladder goes over the TOP of the roof! Talk about scary. Another winnerWonderful entry steps on the left side! But what is that blank structure to the right? I'd presume it's a warehouse of some sort. I see the Lansburgh sign in the left background; another classic store that is now gone. So many of these photographs remind us of what we are missing and what "modern" generations will never get a chance to experience. Blank WallBased on the Baist realty maps of the time, the large blank wall is the rear wall of the Gayety Theater - the front entrance was on Ninth street. Guy NoirOn the fourth floor of the Acme building, one man is still trying to find the answer to life's persistent questions... Guy Noir, Private Eye. A million detailsOf all the fascinating little details in this image, the one that intrigues me most is the guy who seems to be ducking between two stacks of crates on the far right. What the heck is he doing? The Ben Welch Big ShowWashington Post, Feb. 15, 1920. Gayety -- Ben Welch.         Ben Welch, who takes rank among the foremost comedians allied with the burlesque stage, will bring "The Ben Welch Big Show" to the Gayety Theater this afternoon as the attraction for one week. The entertainment this year is divided into three burlettas: "The Love Arbor," "Izzy at the Movies" and "Izzy at the Cabaret," in all of which the chief comedy roles are portrayed by Welch. The supporting cast includes Pat Kearney, Frank P. Murphy and Dolly Morrissey. PullTo put a horse in reverse, just pull back on the reins. The secret to handling a horse is that they move away from pressure. Pekin Tea Garden Pekin Restaurant Opening To the accompaniment of lively orchestral music, and garnished attractively throughout by lavish displays of brilliant flowers and intermingled American and Chinese flags, the Pekin Tea Garden, 502-4 Ninth street, yesterday opened its doors to an appreciative patronage that taxed to capacity the facilities of this latest mark of the enterprise of Der Doo, long favorably known to Washington's dining public through this Mandarin and Far East restaurants. The Pekin Tea Garden is equipped with a spacious main dining room on the first floor, with additional large dining rooms and almost a score of private dining rooms and banquet rooms open to reservation on the floors above. The American-Chinese cuisine, excellent courtesy and promptness of service, together with the modern, sanitarily equipped kitchen, with electrical cooking devices - which many of the opening day guests found opportunity to inspect, made an impression highly gratifying to Mr. Der Doo and to the manager, Paul Der Yuen, and one that insures the permanent popularity of the Pekin Tea Garden in now cosmopolitan Washington. All opening day visitors were the recipients of flowers and souvenirs. Advertisement, Washington Post, Sep 20, 1918 New York Dancing Conservatory Dancing Taught in SIX Lessons Marlow Coal Co. Impulse buy?I've seen this in other Shorpy pix and thought it curious (no, I'm not going to search the archives for examples): ground floor shop selling COAL. You're walking down the street looking in the windows; a display catches your eye; "oh there's some lovely nuggets" escapes your lips, and before you know it you're inside contracting for a couple of tons to be delivered. Was the competition so fierce they needed such a visible presence? [That's the office of Marlow Coal Co. Most cookstoves and furnaces were fueled by coal -- it was a big business. - Dave] Roof-ThingWhat's the funnel-shaped thing on the pole in the center of the roof? [Rusty. - Dave] Thanks, but I'll take my chances with the fireJust looking at the path you'd have to take on that fire escape from the middle of the building makes me dizzy. First, up at a 45 or 50-degree slope to the peak of the roof (don't look down). Then DOWN at the same angle to the first landing (eyes shut might help). Then down to four more landings before arriving at the Terrifying Counterweighted Sliding Ladder. Which must be at least 20 feet above the street. I'll bet they didn't have many fire drills. Civil Service Bldg.This building on the northwest corner of Eighth and E streets was originally occupied by the U.S. Civil Service Commission. The Salvation Army purchased it in 1920 for use as a women's dormitory. The fire escapes were not part of the original design. Civil Service Commission to have New Fire Escapes As a result of the passage of the law requiring fire escapes on all buildings in the District over three stories in height, except those occupied as private dwellings, John C. Black, president of the United States Civil Service Commission, has taken the preliminary steps toward complying with this new law as far as the commission's building at Eighth and E streets northwest is concerned. ... Washington Post, Apr 25, 1906 Steam exhaust headThe funnel-thing on the roof looks like a steam exhaust head. Steam rises from the center pipe and there are baffles inside that create a vortex to extract condensed water with centrifugal force. Which is then collected from the exterior with the small pipe. This one seems to be a different design, though. And it beats the heck out of me why such thing is installed in the Salvation Army building, as steam heating systems doesn't need exhausts like this. (The Gallery, Cars, Trucks, Buses, D.C., Harris + Ewing, Stores & Markets)
School for Secretaries: 1920
1920. "Washington School for Secretaries. Typing room." Note the Dictaphone in ... all the typewriters. Open to Receive Students 1920 appears to have been the opening year for the Washington School for ... Lillian Cox (The Gallery, D.C., Harris + Ewing, The Office) ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/22/2012 - 9:31pm -

1920. "Washington School for Secretaries. Typing room." Note the Dictaphone in the middle. Harris & Ewing Collection glass negative. View full size. Alice AdamsThis makes me think of the very depressing end of "Alice Adams" when she has to climb up the stairs to the secretarial school. Now I know why she didn't want to go. How many songs...Can you get on one of those Dictaphones? Also gives new meaning to the phrase ear-tubes. Joe from LI, NY Oh, the noise!My ears are ringing just thinking about how noisy this room must have been when class was in session. I also note that there is one lonely adding machine among all the typewriters. Open to Receive Students1920 appears to have been the opening year for the Washington School for Secretaries (click to enlarge) Home RowOh how I remember typing class in high school. The symbols were not on the typing keys and you would rely on that old pull-down in front of the class to know where you were, but at exam time the pull-down (like a window blind) would go up and if you didn't know where your home row was or the other letters you may as well leave the room. Aw ... yes, and that ol' typewriter song comes back to me as well! Ah, the memories - -of shaving the wax off used Dictaphone cylinders; learning to use the Comptometer (prehistoric adding machine); pounding away on those huge black baby buggies that posed as typewriters; hitting the lever of the work easel to keep the copy at eye level. Now guess how old I am. Yech. WorkhorsesI learned on an adding machine that didn't look that much newer than the model in the picture. And when my father started his business, my mother bought a second-hand (or third- or fourth-hand) typewriter to type his invoices that didn't look all that much younger than the ones here. I bet she's still got it. I loved my time at WSSI am a 1983 graduate of the WSS (Exec Sec/Admin Assist program) and really enjoyed my year in their program. The location was 2020 K Street at the time. Although we had electric typewriters, the classroom was set up just as it was in the 1920 picture above. 1968 WSS graduateI have been looking for info on WSS but never seemed to find anything. Glad I ran across this. I attended WSS when it was in the National Press Building. Was in class there at the time of the 1968 riots in D.C. Good memories and the beginning of a long secretarial career. Wonder if they still make female students wear hats and gloves? There you are!I am a 1975 graduate of WSS. I was very proud of my accomplishments and success at WSS. I have looked over the years for information about the school. When did it close and what happened to all of the equipment and pictures. I remember graduation dance. I Will Never Forget!!!!OMG!!!! What a wonderful experience I had in 1982. I attended WSS when it was on 2020 K St. What a shock to see that so many others still remember. Remington # 2, 6, 7Interesting to see this shot on Shorpy, as our theatre company is putting on a production which requires three vintage Remingtons (any of the above models) as they were all "understrike" machines -- the keys hit the paper under the roller rather then the front of the roller. This of course meant that you couldn't see what you were typing. My life as a props buyer this season has been pretty interesting trying to come up with them. I have found two, and need only one more. 1970 Graduate of the WSSThe WSS gave me a firm foundation on which to build my career in the business world. Excellent training! At the time I attended, the intense, one-year course was equivalent to a two-year associates degree in business administration at a community college. I shall always remember the hats, heals heels and gloves. Everyone in WDC knew you were a WSS student at one glance. I attended the school when it was in the National Press Building, a very exciting location and when it was still a privately owned school. I believe a computer company bought the school the following year. Washington Secretarial Class of 1958-59I am an honor graduate of the old WSS -- I could do shorthand at 140 and could type on a manual 85 wpm and on an electric easily over 100 wpm and those were 15 minute tests with two errors or less! I got a great job, made good money and still have these skills to this day. Our director, Adria Beaver Lynham, was one for the books. She made us toe the mark in every way -- we had to wear long line girdles, no "bedroom" hair, just totally professionals. Young ladies walked briskly down F Street -- there was to be no "strolling." Thanks for the memories! 1986 GraduateI'm so happy I found this! Very good memories. Memories of Secretarial SchoolI attended a secretarial school in 1963 in NYC and we were all a bit surprised to come to typing class the first day only to see that our typewriters had BLANK keyboards -- the best way to learn "touch" typing was just that -- NO peeking at the letters or numbers on the keyboard. Funny thinking back to those days but I learned to be a really good typist! Looking for Washington School for Secretaries AlumniI would love to talk to alumni of the venerable Washington School for Secretaries for The Washington Secretaries History Project. If you are interested in sharing your memories, please email me at washingtonsecretaries@gmail.com. Thank you. Lillian Cox (The Gallery, D.C., Harris + Ewing, The Office)
Washington: 1925
... All Three Buildings Stand Today The Government Printing Office now has a lot of additional equipment installed on the roof, the Post ... but it carried on to his generation too. He was born in 1920. My grandfather also helped to build Union Station. One of my ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 07/17/2012 - 10:19pm -

Union Station in Washington, D.C., circa 1925, with a baseball game next door. National Photo Company Collection glass negative. View full size. Only in WashingtonThat's the first baseball field I've ever seen where the bleachers are facing away from the action. Railroad lighthouse pagodaThat little guardhouse or traffic tower or whatever is wild! Backward BleachersI noticed that too, but then saw the track running around the outside of the field. Trolley Switch TowerThat switch tower was moved to the National Capital Trolley Museum after the DC transit system was dismantled. It was moved to the new museum site late last year to make room for the ICC. [Wow. Amazing! - Dave] All Three Buildings Stand TodayThe Government Printing Office now has a lot of additional equipment installed on the roof, the Post Office is now an office building and Postal Museum. The former Postmaster's office is now a brewpub -- the heavy door to the safe has been cut in half and is part of the decor. Union Station looks today much as it did then. The streetcars have been replaced by car, bus and taxi lanes. Some of the nude statues indoors were given shields for modesty. Change We NeedOne thing changed in this photo is the baseball field in the foreground: now it's an ugly parking lot for Congressional workers. I can't imagine that Congress would ever decrease the amount of parking for themselves, but how about consolidating the multiple surface lots in the area into a well-designed parking garage? Let's get rid of all the atrocious expanses of asphalt in the area and replace them with parkland. Hey, it would be investment in infrastructure, right? Also changed from this time is the traffic pattern around Columbus Circle. It is due to be altered again in the near future with a newly designed pattern of roads and sidewalks. Government Printing Office roofHaving been employed at the GPO from 1972-1985, I would like to add that the open shelter atop the GPO building covered a shuffleboard court for lunchtime gamers. Tables & benches were also furnished. The roof-top area also was used for Peter Falk's opening appearance in the "The In-Laws"(1979). Ballgames Huge in DC - Grandfather built Union StationI remember my father taking me to many DC Parks for Baseball games when I was very little. Most were at schools, but many were in regular parks too. (1953?) Every one of my fathers friends played baseball, he said everyone did back then. Of course this photo was before that time, but it carried on to his generation too. He was born in 1920. My grandfather also helped to build Union Station. One of my cousins has a photo of him while it was being built, but getting a copy is like pulling teeth. I don't remember it having any landmarks that shows that it's at Union Station, but it is part of our family history, and in his work record on ancestry too. (The Gallery, D.C., Natl Photo, Railroads, Streetcars)
Fill Er Up: 1920
Washington, D.C., 1920. "Penn Oil Company, Massachusetts Avenue and North Capitol." View full ... National Guard Association and, just to the west, a new office building housing lobbying operations for the National Cable Television ... AMA, where I work. In the background you see the big Post Office building that now houses both the National Postal Museum and a local ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/07/2012 - 10:12pm -

Washington, D.C., 1920. "Penn Oil Company, Massachusetts Avenue and North Capitol." View full size. National Photo Company Collection glass negative. Inflation80 cents per gallon in 1920 equates to $9.51 in 2007 dollars. [The "80 cents" sign in the photo is the price for four quarts of motor oil, not gasoline. - Dave] Pump It! Pump It! This is so cool. So, when you had to pump your gas, you literally had to hand pump the equipment to get the gas to come out? I've honestly never thought about the literal meaning of a phrase that I say all the time. And I feel like a total whippersnapper by asking the question. Early Gas StationsI love the photos of early gas stations. This one may be the smallest I've ever seen, but there are some tiny (but architecturally sophisticated) ones from the 1920s still standing in various places around town. Thank you for early gas station photos, Shorpy! Penn OilThis gas station occupies space that is now the National Guard Association and, just to the west, a new office building housing lobbying operations for the National Cable Television Association, General Motors and the AMA, where I work. In the background you see the big Post Office building that now houses both the National Postal Museum and a local brewpub. And still, a working post office. Very cool. This is a great site. (The Gallery, D.C., Gas Stations, Natl Photo)
Pawn Shop: 1920
... at No. 15 Cooper Square (thanks, Evan) in New York circa 1920. 5x7 glass negative, George Grantham Bain Collection. View full size. ... a few years. She also watched the 9/11 tragedy from her office window. That building could have been there at that time. A condo ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/16/2012 - 12:24am -

A pawn shop at No. 15 Cooper Square (thanks, Evan) in New York circa 1920. 5x7 glass negative, George Grantham Bain Collection. View full size. Pawn ShopLooks like 15 Cooper Square is the address ... It's the beginning of 3rd Avenue, and I'd wager that's the old 3rd Avenue elevated train there on the left. Google Maps link. Great photo! Evan www.pheezy.com Barber shop windowCouldn't help but notice that a shave and a hair cut was two bits! Cooper SquareThere are a few buildings on the 5 blocks or so that run parallel to 3rd ave (which is called The Bowery after First St). My wife worked at #20 Cooper Square for a few years. She also watched the 9/11 tragedy from her office window. That building could have been there at that time. A condo hi-rise was built on Cooper Sq a few years ago, the Carl Fisher Bldg, named for the music publisher that was probably there at the time the picture was taken. ClockDid you notice the clock in the barber shop? I'd sure like to have that. LocationI'd guess Cooper Square. The shop next door is Fred J Birck - barber supplies, cutlery. I found a straight razor on ebay in box printed with FRED J. BIRCK 17 COOPER SQUARE NEW YORK CITY ... In The Pawn Shop Doorway......If you zoom in a bit it looks like Mr. Berkowitz is peering out his front door to see what's so photo-worthy about his pawn shop. Or he might be trying to figure out how much money he'd be willing to loan on that fine looking camera. And you gotta love the split swinging doors that look like they came out of an old-west saloon. Merchandise Then and NowAmazing just how popular pocket watches were then...not to mention mandolins. Today they would all be Rolexes and Stratocasters. DoorsThose are called "batwing" doors. Pawn shopSome of the items in that pawn shop are now worth thousands of dollars in today's prices. And I love the painted sign on the right.... Hair Cut 15 Cents. Window Above BarbershopThere's a curtain over the window up there that looks like it reads "SCOOLA". Is it a private residence? There's a flowerpot and multiple curtains. I'd love to know what it means. [It says scuola. Italian for school. - Dave] Anyone have a clueas to what those glass boxes contain and what's in the basement? The Glass BoxesThe glass boxes appear to contain shoes - the look to be ladies shoes - so the business in the basement is likely a shoe store or more likely a cobbler or shoe repair place. re: The Glass BoxesThanks! On closer look, it looks like you're probably right. Elevated track supportThat'd be the Bowery El on the old IRT line. Pawn ShopThis is the coolest picture ever. Berel Berkowitz was my great grandfather. My brother has the mandolins in the window. (The Gallery, G.G. Bain, NYC, Stores & Markets)
Mr. Magazine: 1908
... Grover Cleveland--definitely him--has been out of office for nearly ten years. Why is he gracing the cover of the Chicago ... born in Kansas in 1875 (not Illinois in 1878). He died in 1920 while coming home from his job as an inspector for the City of Detroit. ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/14/2012 - 3:46pm -

1908. "Smallest news & post card stand in New Orleans, 103 Royal Street." 8x10 inch dry plate glass negative, Detroit Publishing Company. View full size. Next doorI see cabbages, bananas, oranges, apples, peaches, walnuts, and ... waffles? Re: BlueBookAnother bid for one of each! From Antiques Roadshow archive: APPRAISER: "This is one of the later ones-- there's no date here, I think this was done about 1915, 1916 or 1917.the last copy I was able to track down at auction, sold for more than $2,000, some years ago. GUEST: Wow. APPRAISER: My guess on this is it's worth somewhere between $3,500 and $4,500. GUEST: My goodness. APPRAISER: Not bad for something you picked from the garbage, right? Magazines and NewspapersI'll say what we're all probably thinking: I'll take one of everything on your stand, sir. Hey, there's a magazine for everybody. The Information HighwayBefore the internet was invented. Sagebrush Philosopher"Sagebrush Philosophy" was published by the Wyoming writer Bill Barlow: Shortly after locating at Douglas he began the publication of a little monthly magazine called Sagebrush Philosophy, which soon had a circulation that extended to all parts of the Union. His writings scintillated with wit, philosophy and optimism, and his vocabulary was both extensive and unique. Sagebrush Philosophy was built up on his personality and when his death occurred on October 9, 1910, it was realized that no one could continue the publication of the magazine, so its last number was issued in November following his death. The JewelThis photo has a great example of an Etched - Glue Chipped Glass doorway on the right. I would lay money down and say that the gilded wood letters (on the upper left & above clerk) are most likely manufactured by the Spanjer Bros. This photo would look great in color with all those magazine covers too. Dietz Sign Co.Saw that at the top of the picture. Googled it. Got as far as this page. Dietz Lantern Company. Read through it, you'll see mentions of places and things seen on Shorpy. I will start a-looking. The Big QuestionHow did he get IN there? ThurberesqueShe came naturally by her confused and groundless fears, for her own mother lived the latter years of her life in the horrible suspicion that electricity was dripping invisibly all over the house. It leaked, she contended, out of empty sockets if the wall switch had been left on. She would go around screwing in bulbs, and if they lighted up she would hastily and fearfully turn off the wall switch and go back to her Pearson's or Everybody's, happy in the satisfaction that she had stopped not only a costly but a dangerous leakage. Nothing could ever clear this up for her. -- James Thurber ("The Car We Had to Push") No Business Like ItPublications suspended under the ledge, below the proprietor, are The Dramatic Mirror, Billboard, Variety and Show World. Someone once said that everybody's second business was show business. Looking at these magazines for sale in 1908 New Orleans sort of reinforces that theory. Gimme the lot!I'd buy the whole lot. Can you imagine what all those are worth today? It looks like this may have been a cafe entrance once. June 1908The Saturday Evening Post in the lower right corner was dated 13 June 1908. I did a quick search online and voila, now I have that warm, fuzzy feeling one can get from a successful treasure hunt. Thank you, Shorpy, for the thrill of the hunt. My Order"Hey buddy, I'll take a bunch of bananas, two pineapples, some mixed nuts, five melons and a dozen postcards. By the way, do you have July's edition of The Railroad Man's Magazine?" Ex-PresidentGrover Cleveland--definitely him--has been out of office for nearly ten years. Why is he gracing the cover of the Chicago Tribune? [His uncanny impersonation of William Howard Taft. - Dave] Naughty BitsInteresting to note that on the bottom row is the notorious "Blue Book," the guide to houses of ill repute in Storyville, the area of New Orleans where prostitution was legal until WWI. Just CuriousHow did they close up shop for the night? It looks like this is right on the sidewalk. I can see that some of the display looks like it might swing into the opening where the proprietor is standing but it still looks like there's a lot of effort to open and close for the day. Tag SuggestionCould you also tag this and future images like it with "Postcards"? Images like this that depict the retailing of postcards are incredibly rare and of great importance to we deltiologists. Thank you. Taft of Ohio, Not ClevelandThe Chicago Tribune cover is graced by the future president, William Howard Taft. He was the Republican candidate in 1908. [I think you're right. At first I thought it was Cleveland, who had died on June 24, but this does look more like Taft. Especially the ear. - Dave] Oh yes, we have bananas!Didn't say they were fresh, just said we had them. For everybody, indeedCowboy Bill is surely referring to this. 1908.It took me a while, but here is the evidence. First, "The Railroad Man's Magazine" on the bottom cannot be from 1906, because it wasn't published until October of that year. I then found the cover for Collier's Magazine from June of 1908. Finally, there is an advertisement on the bottom left for the 1908 World Almanac! [I misread the date on the cover of the 10 Cent Story Book last night when I posted this, thinking the 8 was a 6. Thanks to all who set me straight! - Dave] Hardly Naughty The Blue Book Magazine displayed on the bottom row is not the notorious Blue Book guide to "sporting houses." It's a copy of a legit magazine that was published until 1975 featuring fiction by writers like Agatha Christie, Booth Tarkington, and Edgar Rice Burroughs. [This particular magazine, Stageland Blue Book, was a theatrical publication. - Dave] Re: Naughty BitsThe Blue Book would not have been sold openly at a newsstand. It was also very plain in appearance. Sugared SnacksThe stacked, flat items in the case on the far left could be beignets, the Official State Doughnut of Louisana, but more likely are New Orleans-style Pralines. Clean 'em outAccording to my rough count, there are about 100 different postcards on display. Figuring 10 of each at 15 cents per dozen, one could have the entire stock for just over $12. Great magazines, buttucked in among the postcards is a very interesting, small publication: Sagebrush Philosophy. It wasn't the magazine for everybody, but that's what made it so special. MoneyTime travel to this place in order to buy these itmes would be very interesting, just don't forget to first get into your family's coin collection and grab some Barber dimes and quarters, Liberty nickels, and Indian Head pennies. You show this guy dead president coins and bills and he'll have you hauled away by the police. Another ClueChecked one more thing on why that is probably Taft on the Chicago Tribune cover. The Republican convention that nominated him was held in Chicago from June 16 to June 19, 1908 which would coincide with the time frame here. It is interesting, however, that Grover Cleveland died June 24, 1908. Please note that the Tribune was a very Republican leaning newspaper in those days, so it's more likely they would feature the new Republican nominee that the recently departed former Democratic president. Dangerous leakagesWe can laugh at it now, of course, bit it was common during the early years of electricity for people to believe that electrical sockets "leaked electricity" if they didn't have something plugged or screwed in. Many families have stories of people insisting on removing the plugs or bulbs and putting in stoppers at night. People even complained of smelling the electrical "vapours" coming from the sockets. Closing up shopRegarding how they closed up shop at night. The middle section above the hatch flips down. The two shutters on either side close inwards. The magazines below are simply unclipped and taken indoors. Sidewalk CafeLOVE the tile sidewalk sign for the Jewel Cafe. It's the same type that some streets still have that say Rue Royale or Rue Bourbon. Very cool. Then and NowThis photo is featured in the 1996 book "New Orleans - Then and Now." In 1996, there's also a newsstand, just to the right of this one. In addition, I found a vintage postcard (postmarked June 1908) that shows this same newsstand. So it's a postcard of a postcard stand. (I know there's a name for things like this, but my coffee hasn't kicked in yet.) Speaking of post cards within postcardsWonder if any of the pictures featured on those postcards ever appeared on Shorpy? Now there's a heck of a scavenger hunt for you. Politically Incorrect Period HumorLook inside the kiosk to the left of the proprietor and you'll notice section of postcards devoted to those comical darkies and their antics. Very popular at the time, and very collectible now despite (or perhaps because of?) the transgressive stigma of racism. Now I understandI always wondered why they called it the Kelley Blue Book. Now I get it. It lets you know how the car dealer is going to #@$% you on the value of your car. Learn something every day on Shorpy. Cornucopia--The younger man on the right has the look of one not to be trifled with; --The cafe doors are almost identical to the doors on the front of Antoine's Restaurant; --I wonder who the ball player is on the front page of the Sporting News. Walter Johnson? Ty Cobb? Honus Wagner? --Among the many old framed articles and pictures on the walls of the main dining room at Antoine's there is a lengthy one about W.H. Taft and his eating exploits at the restaurant during a trip to New Orleans. Marvelling at his stature as a "trencherman," the writer tells that Taft had a great love of boiled shrimp but didn't like to have to peel them. Taft claimed there was no serving of boiled shrimp so large he couldn't finish it. In an attempt to test this claim, Jules Alciatore (the proprietor at the time) had 50 pounds of shrimp delivered the morning before Taft was to dine there. They boiled them and he and his staff peeled them all, yielding a seving bowl with 7 1/2 lbs. of shrimp meat. According to the article, Taft finished them all but was so surfeited that he could barely speak afterwards! --The items in the case look too big, flat, and uniform to be either beignets or pralines, but I'm not sure what else they would have been. They certainly do look like waffles, which would have kept all day in the case I suppose. About that ArgosyIt's the July 1908 edition. What fun hunting this stuff up! Cover BoyWhile the individual covers of Sporting News are not readily available, issues of Sporting Life can be easily found. The photo shows the June 13, 1908 issue of Sporting Life with Edward Siever of the Detroit Tigers on the cover. Five days after this was published Siever played his last major league baseball game although he played another two years in the minors. Less than a year earlier he had been in the 1907 World Series. A copy of the front of this issue of Sporting Life, along with the caption that goes with Siever's photo, is shown below. Note that most sources state he was born in Kansas in 1875 (not Illinois in 1878). He died in 1920 while coming home from his job as an inspector for the City of Detroit. "EDWARD SIEVER. Pitcher of the Detroit American League Club. Edward Siever, the noted south-paw pitcher for the Detroit American Club, was born April 2, 1878, at Lewistown, Ill. Siever was originally a locomotive fireman of the Grand Trunk. He made his professional debut with the London Club, of the Canadian League, in 1899, which, largely owing to Siever's fine pitching, won the championship. He was sold to the Detroit Club the following year, and sported the Tigers' stripes continually until the Fall of 1903, when he was transferred to the St. Louis Club. After a season with the Browns he was transferred for 1905 to the Minneapolis Club, with which he did such fine work that St. Louis re-drafted him for 1906. During that season he was sold to the Detroit Club for which he has played since. In the 1907 season he very materially helped Hughey Jennings' Tigers to bring to Detroit a championship pennant for the first time in twenty years." Jewel CafeThe Jewel Cafe, at 131 Royal Street, was listed in the program for the 5th Annual Sugar Bowl Classic in January of 1929 as a sponsor:         Jewel Cafe ... 131 Royal Street; Oysters 45 cents per half dozen; First time in the history of New Orleans, Oysters a la Rockefeller are prepared before your eyes. This deep mystery of the culinary arts is now almost within the price range of raw oysters. Louisiana's choicest cultivated oysters, served in all styles at our counters and tables; open all night. (The Gallery, DPC, New Orleans, Stores & Markets)
Top Drawer: 1920
Washington, D.C., circa 1920. "Herbert E. French, photographer, in office." The proprietor of the National Photo Company, stylishly coordinated ... dressed man sits in what for the time was a very smart office. I just don't understand the large, utilitarian bin so close to his ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 07/16/2017 - 10:20pm -

Washington, D.C., circa 1920. "Herbert E. French, photographer, in office." The proprietor of the National Photo Company, stylishly coordinated with a natty three-button desk. 8x6 inch glass negative, National Photo Co. View full size. My desk!That's like the desk I'm sitting at right now! We got it at auction years ago (with everything in it) for a song - too heavy for anyone else to want. Pince-nezBoth Presidents Roosevelt wore them. We had a very close copy of that deskIt was easily movable once the two drawer segments were separated from the top. The Pince-Nez Glassesoften had a small cord attached to the loop on the right with the other end fastened into the lapel. A photographer... but not a single photographic item to be seen. Buttons, labeled.Top Button: Call in Miss Willoughby to take a steno Middle Button: Alert security to intruder Bottom Button: Open hidden desk drawer containing revolver and bottle of whiskey when top two buttons don't work. Dapper DanThis nattily dressed man sits in what for the time was a very smart office. I just don't understand the large, utilitarian bin so close to his desk. Was this to dispose of photographic materials? It seems out of keeping with the rest of the office. [I believe that's what's called a waste paper basket. -tterrace] Phunky physics or Photoshop?Due to occupation (I'm outdoors most often) and a bent nose, I am constantly pushing my glasses back into place. I see no ear hooks, how does this work? It looks like maybe a small cheek rest? [It's called a pince-nez. -tterrace] I have thisI have the same kind of desk in my classroom. I teach in a school that was built in 1921, and I have this same style of desk that is original to the school. It has the same desk arm surface extensions (that can be pulled out from above both side drawers) and even the same style drawer handles. It is a monster of a desk and takes about 4 people to lift it. Solid oak. Desk DirgeI had the roll top version of this desk in the office of my shop for 45 years. It had been handed down (palmed off) for several generations. When I retired and closed the business we tried to move it and it came apart. We loaded in my truck and took it to a field at my Dads farm and gave it a dry land Viking funeral, thus depriving many generations of termites their family home. TechnologyElectronics was a lot simpler back then. General relativity was already in the wings but it hadn't hit the button market yet. (The Gallery, D.C., Natl Photo, The Office)
Grandpa in His Office at Vitagraph
... My grandfather leafing through a trade publication in his office at Vitagraph Studios in Brooklyn, c. 1920. View full size. (ShorpyBlog, Member Gallery) ... 
 
Posted by thomas - 01/14/2011 - 11:00am -

My grandfather leafing through a trade publication in his office at Vitagraph Studios in Brooklyn, c. 1920. View full size. (ShorpyBlog, Member Gallery)
Those Were the Days: 1942
... Annetta plays the piano." Photo by Arthur Rothstein, Office of War Information. View full size. Sergeant Franklin Williams ... I believe they were married Ellen Harden appears in the 1920. 1930, (skips 1940) and the 1950 census with her mother Lelia. In the 1950 ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 03/18/2023 - 3:31pm -

March 1942. Baltimore, Md. "Sergeant Franklin Williams, home on leave from Army duty at Fort Bragg, singing with sister Sarah, brother Thomas and best girl Ellen Hardin while his sister Annetta plays the piano." Photo by Arthur Rothstein, Office of War Information. View full size. Sergeant Franklin WilliamsLast seen here: https://www.shorpy.com/node/26963 I believe I found the Williams familyin the 1940 Census, the head of the household is Annie Williams, 54. Living with her were her married daughter Annetta, son-in-law, grandson, sons Thomas and Franklin, daughter Sarah, and two lodgers. In Arthur Rothstein's 1942 photograph Franklin Williams is 27, Annetta 23, Thomas 31, and Sarah 17. The exterior of their address at 2025 McCulloh Street (house with iron handrails on both sides of the steps) matches the interior photo (stairs straight up from front door, parlor on the right). I believe they were marriedEllen Harden appears in the 1920. 1930, (skips 1940) and the 1950 census with her mother Lelia. In the 1950 census, her name is Ellen Williams with marital status listed as separated. In 1940, Ellen's mother Lelia lived at 2451 Woodbrook Avenue, just half a mile from 2025 McCulloh Street. PianoThere is some unusually ornate crown moulding on the piano along with the carved medallion on the music rack. It might have been a very nice piano. I hope it wasn't one of those that got sent to the dump. More on Sgt. WilliamsFrom an interesting blog post here: https://owlcation.com/humanities/African-Americans-WW2-Homefront-Photos-... TexturesFor some reason I’m really noticing the tactile nature of those clothing fabrics: the smooth wool, the heavier wool, the velvet (velour?), the leather of Franklin’s belt. Plus, in the happy department, that’s five for five people. (The Gallery, Arthur Rothstein, Baltimore, Music, WW2)
Churches of Chicago: 1942
... to be a Sunday. Acetate negative by Jack Delano for the Office of War Information. View full size. The Methodist Book Concern ... Thirty: Being some relation of what happened to Chivvy (1920). You can’t make this stuff up. Huron & Dearborn We're ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 01/27/2023 - 1:49pm -

April 1942. "Chicago, Illinois" is all they wrote for this one; it seems to be a Sunday. Acetate negative by Jack Delano for the Office of War Information. View full size. The Methodist Book ConcernMy favorite titles amongst the “most widely held works” by the Methodist Book Concern are: The solemn warnings of the dead, or, An admonition to unconverted sinners (1802); Modern Pagans (1917); and Number Thirty: Being some relation of what happened to Chivvy (1920). You can’t make this stuff up. Huron & DearbornWe're looking east towards Holy Name Cathedral. The hotel and building just east of it are still standing at 62 W. Huron Street. Holy Name CathedralThe large church in the distance is Holy Name Cathedral at 730 N Wabash Avenue. I grew up in the suburbs, moved away over 50 years ago, but I'm sure that other than Holy Name, very few of the buildings making up the bulk of this photo still exist. Steps, Left to RightStepping up the block, from lower left corner of the image: 1st building: missing steps ("Quite a drop, Batman") 2nd building: wide steps 3rd building: ultra wide steps 4th building: no steps (ground floor entrance; Stairway to Heaven inside) Hard Hat AreaI'd give the Hotel with the turrets a wide berth! The one farthest from the camera looks like it's damaged. Here's the Church in the MiddleAt the corner of State and Superior. Get ready: Huron next !Sometimes you're all ready with your comment, and life throws you a surprise I'll leaf it to others to provide the punchline. The Sainte-Chapelle of ChicagoOver near the far left margin of this photograph, in the shadows between two taller buildings, stands the St. James Chapel of the Quigley Preparatory Seminary, a school belonging to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago. Completed in 1919, this building is clearly modeled on the Gothic Sainte-Chapelle in Paris (built 1242-1248). It is an unusually accurate example of French Gothic architecture revived in the eclectic period of the early 20th century. The building still stands at 835 N. Rush Street, but the school it was built for closed in 2007. Holy Name Cathedral is a mob tour mainstayHoly Name witnessed two notorious murders during the 1920s bootlegging gang wars. Across the street was Schofield's Flower shop, owned by North Side gang boss Dean O'Banion, the most powerful rival of the South Side's Johnny Torrio and his second-in-command Al Capone. The shop was O'Banion's headquarters and front for his illicit businesses. The shop was also the preferred flower vendor for big mob funerals. On November 10, 1924, Frankie Yale (a New York associate of Torrio and Capone) and two local mobsters arrived ostensibly for a floral funerary arrangement. They left O'Banion dead on the floor with bullets in his chest, neck and head. Hymie Weiss was O'Banion's successor as head of the North Siders. Schofield's was still the gang's lair on October 11, 1926 when Weiss was ambushed in front of Holy Name as he walked towards the flower shop. Tour guides will show you holes in the cathedral stones from the mob machine guns. Now a house of luxury residenceMost of what you see in 1942 between the hotel at 62 W. Huron Street and the Holy Name Cathedral at 730 N Wabash Ave has been replaced by One Superior Place Apartments, which, with their parking garage, engulf an entire city block. The small church at 56 W. Huron Street, where church was just letting out in 1942, is now the site of recently built luxury residences. Click to embiggen Almost survivedThe church is on the September, 2017 Street View. By 2018, it was replaced by an apartment building. The building was converted to a beauty parlor at least ten years before. The Small Church ReplacementI'll leave it to loyal Shorpy readers to opine if better or worse. (The Gallery, Chicago, Jack Delano)
Candy, Cigars, Souvenirs: 1920
... Engraving Co., Minster Building, 12th Street N.W." circa 1920. National Photo Company Collection glass negative. View full size. ... Ave, NW. - across the street from the Old Post Office and now site of Federal Triangle. Minster's Corner was operated by ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 09/11/2011 - 7:17pm -

"Standard Engraving Co., Minster Building, 12th Street N.W." circa 1920. National Photo Company Collection glass negative. View full size. 12th and PennsylvaniaBased on ads in the Post, the location appears to be the southwest corner of 12th and Pennsylvania Ave, NW. - across the street from the Old Post Office and now site of Federal Triangle. Minster's Corner was operated by Samuel D. Minster. Washington-Virginia Railway was located at 1202 Pennsylvania. Washington Post, Mar 30, 1902 I have purchased the old reliable and long-established business of H.A. Seligson; 1200 and 1202 Pa. ave. nw., and have added to the already superb stock of Wines, Liquors, Cordials, and Cigars... One of the distinctly new features of the establishment will be the attendence of lady clerks for the ladies' trade. Eldorado Wine Co., Samuel D. Minster, Prop., S.W. Cor. Pa. Ave and 12th st. N.W. Washington Post, Jun 30, 1904 The National Association of Stationary Engineers, No. 7, met at its hall, at Pennsylvania avenue and Twelfth street northwest, Tuesday night ..... Stationary EngineersTo head off the inevitable questions, stationary engineers supervise engines in a fixed location such as in power plants, factories, mines, water pumping stations and so forth, as opposed to marine engineers or locomotive engineers. I believe the current union calls itself "Operating Engineers" which includes what we used to call building supers. Your Weight and FortuneIs that a fortune-telling, penny weight scale outside the door of the Fussel's ice cream store? No wonder the place went out of business. Stationary EngineersFor those of you who live in the country or exurbia and maybe even suburbia, a stationary engineer, to those of us city folk, is usually the building superintendent, or as we know him (or her), "the super". Electric carsVery interesting to find out that, even in such a late time as the 1920s (when this photo is dated), there was still possible to get a ride on an electric car. One can only wonder what would have happened if those had caught on for public transport; maybe we wouldn't be choking in as much smog as today. [They did catch on. They were called streetcars. In this instance, "electric cars" were the interurban trolleys of the Washington-Virginia Railway, departing from Mid-City Terminal at 12th and Pennsylvania. - Dave] Bon-AmiWhen I was growing up in NYC back in the '50s, it was common for landlords to apply a film of Bon-Ami window cleaner to their rental store's front windows and door whenever it was vacant or during refurbishing, as is the case in this photo. I've not seen it used in years and don't even know if Bon-Ami is still sold. Thanks for jogging a nice bit of wistful memory for me. Bon-AmiYes, Bon-Ami is still available. It is the only scouring powder we use. I buy it at the grocery store. Non-IntoxicatingReif's Special was a short lived non alcoholic beer type drink. Non alcoholic sodas gained in popularity after prohibition in 1916. Reif's Special, described as "A Pure Liquid Food", was manufactured in Chattanooga, TN by Martin Lynch in 1917. [advertisement text] Reif's Special Serve Cold It Is Not A Compound Here is the triumph of man's inventive genius - just what the world has long been awaiting - a beverage that has all the snappy flavor and foaming goodness of the hops with the alcohol left out. That's done by a patented process. We are the pioneers. Beware of imitations. At soft drink places - in bottles or cases. Martin-Lynch Co., Distributors Carrie Nation's FrolicMinster's Corner was once the focus the famed Carrie Nation's ire. Washington Post June 14, 1907 Mrs Nation fined $25 Saloon Smasher Pays Up After Temperance Lecture to Judge Mrs. Carrie Nation's frolic in front of S.D. Minster's store, at Twelfth street and Pennsylvania avenue northwest, Wednesday night, cost her $25 in Police Court yesterday. Incidentally, and as a self-administered balm to her outraged feeling, the former Kansas hatchet wielded read from the witness box passages of Scripture touching upon intemperance. Blackstone, as interpreted by Judge Mullowny, did not appeal to Carrie. Neither did her Scriptural readings to the judge, whose calm, judicial reasons was: "I find you guilty of disorderly conduct, as charged. Twenty-five dollars fine, please." Mrs. Nation's friends made up the $5 additional to the $20 which she deposited in the First precinct station for the appearance in court. The saloon wrecker departed, after discoursing freely as to the evils of strong beverages and cigarettes. Mount Vernon RailwayThis building was the office and station of the Washington, Alexandria and Mount Vernon Railway, an interurban road that had a loop terminus in front of George Washington's Mount Vernon estate. The circular concrete drive in front of the main gate was once the railway right-of-way. Electric interurban cars pulled up alongside the awning in the photo for passengers. Frank R. Scheer, Railway Mail Service Library Carrie NationThe Washington Post article cited below is dated June 14, 1917, and the story appears to be reported as current news. Yet all three links for more Carrie Nation information give her date of death as 1911. Hmm... Once again Shorpy piques my interest, and I learned something today about the history of the temperance movement and Mrs. Nation. [The date on the news clip was a typo. It's from 1907, not 1917. - Dave] Holmes PiesIs that Holmes Pies any chance the precursor of the Helms Bakery trucks with the slide out trays of bread, donuts and pastries which I recall roaming the neighborhoods of my youth in the western states? They disappeared in the 60's or 70's, as I recall. [I don't know about Helms. But Holmes Bakery had its own fleet of trucks [Link 1] [Link 2] [Link 3]. - Dave] No Sherlock, HolmesIt just dawned on me that it was the Helms Bakery that had those panel trucks that went around the neighborhoods. I think it was the burgeoning supermarket industry that did them in, just as with the home milk delivery boys. Obviously, a Sherlock I was not when it came to Holmes Pies... (The Gallery, D.C., Natl Photo, Stores & Markets)
Newport News: 1941
... environment, making frequent journeys from his office space to the outside buildings where "mock ups" were located, and actual ... had worked there, beginning in the Sail Shop, in the late 1920's, which was actually after sails were no longer part of ships, but ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 01/07/2020 - 3:53pm -

March 1941. Newport News, Virginia. "Shipyard workers going home at 4 p.m." Medium format acetate negative by John Vachon for the Farm Security Administration. View full size. Huntington Cafe The street appears to be Washington Avenue. According to an ad in a 1940 edition of the local newspaper, the Huntington Cafe was located at 3600½ Washington Ave. In the ad, the restaurant was looking to hire a waitress. Nary a woman to be seen!I don't see any women yard workers in this pre-WWII scene. That would change during the war. https://www.marinersmuseum.org/sites/micro/women/wartime/ww2.htm N.N.S.& D.D.Co. The Shipyard - Newport News Shipyard & Dry Dock Co.- has been a definitive workplace of generations of local (and not quite local) families since the end of the 19th century. My stepfather began working there as a full time employee just after WWII, when he graduated from 4 years at the Apprentice School in 1950, through the auspices of the GI Bill, and became a Piping Designer in the Submarine Division. He was a part of the development of the nuclear submarines from day one. Hyman G. Rickover was a seemingly permanent fixture of that section, ruling with an iron will. Stories about him were regular parts of every day's dinner table conversation! Dad worked there until his Union went on strike in the late 70's/early 80's and never went OFF strike. He continued working for another company who was a contractor for the shipyard for a long time, until he retired. He passed away this past spring. Asbestosis was a major player in his passing, after spending decades in that shipbuilding environment, making frequent journeys from his office space to the outside buildings where "mock ups" were located, and actual construction in the dry docks took place, where there was little to no breathing protection provided or even acknowledged in those many early years. He recieved legal asbestosis "benefits" from various class action law suits, but in the end, no amount of money could repair the damage inflicted by those incredibly tiny, dangerous fibers that permanently scarred his lungs. His father - my paternal grandfather - had worked there, beginning in the Sail Shop, in the late 1920's, which was actually after sails were no longer part of ships, but handled all the textile components of ships, and the yard itself. He fabricated upholstery on ships and subs, awnings on buildings, and other items. He retired in 1968. He has three sisters, two of whom married men who would become permanent employees of the shipyard through their retirement. The other one was associated through shipyard contractors. I have numerous cousins, brothers, nephews, and many school friends who either have worked for the Yard in all its incarnations, ownership, changes, etc., and still do, or have done. One uncle gave his all, who was an official photographer for the Yard, when he had a sudden heart attack during lunch with coworkers in a little cafe across the street from the yard, and didn't go home again. In the 1960's, taking Dad to work across town from as far as Denbigh so Mom could have the one car on Fridays so she could do all her shopping is something I will always remember. Being part of all that craziness of early morning traffic and back again for the madness of afternoon shift change, with the thousands of cars from everywhere, and what seemed like hundreds of charter busses from as far as North Carolina transporting the employees on their way in and on their way home again seemed to be just another normal day. The shipyard has been a permanent fixture of most of my early life, from the age of 6, until I married at 19, and moved away to the Midwest at 20, in 1977. It still continues to move on as it provides submarines and aircraft carriers for the U.S. Navy, as well as numerous other projects that keep "the yard" humming. (Original 7/2/2020) Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co.In the 1940s A&P was at the height of its success - so much so that it was charged with antitrust violations. Because of management mistakes, it started sliding in the 1950s and disappeared in 2015. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Atlantic_%26_Pacific_Tea_Company Eight O'ClockThe A&P is gone, but I still drink Eight O'Clock coffee. "No Pedestrian Traffic"A 1940 newspaper want-ad for a waitress position at the Huntington Cafe (lower left) gives an address of 3600½ Washington Avenue, which means Vachon was standing near the intersection of Washington and 37th Street, facing south. There is still a gate to the shipyard at that corner, but "no pedestrian traffic" signs in place of crowds of workers headed south at shift change. Today, there are acres of surface parking lots behind Vachon's location. Many women - just not in sight here!(EDITED to remove typo. ORIGINALLY posted a few years ago.) This photo just doesn't show the right building or gate for all the women employees to be making their way out of the buildings to go home. There were/are different buildings where the white collar workers - management, secretaries, administrative assistants/private secretaries, file clerks, the typing pools, other clerical workers, etc. - had the offices where they did their vital work, and design divisions had their facilities, working in large open office spaces where their drafting desks and other equipment was kept, and where they did their work everyday, Monday through Friday. Not a computer to be found, or even a pocket calculator. Yet. I'm sure there were all the IBM, other bookkeeping and office machines were being used to the utmost, keeping up with the work of production, repair, refitting, calculating contracts, payrolls for all the thousands of workers, and so forth though! My dad's "tools of the trade" were drafting pens and pencils and slide rules, and all the other drafting tools needed for his work, calculating and drawing to the nth degree the placement and bend of every pipe and conduit for his assignment at the time, on submarines. There were plenty of ladies working in those office spaces too. And, not every category of worker worked the same shift everyday. Production workers down in the yard, such as these men shown, worked one of three standard shifts, days, evenings, graveyards, and a five day shift out of any given seven days. My uncle worked in the welding shops, five evenings a week, always getting home about 11:45PM. My aunt always had his "dinner" waiting for him when he got home. I used to spend weekends there with my cousins as a kid when I could, and he was usually not home at least one evening until quite late. "QUIET" while he was sleeping during the early part of the day was an unbreakable house rule! The office workers worked the standard 9-5, Monday through Friday's, where the production personnel worked 7-3, 3-11, or 11-7, part of seven days a week. And there were also the Apprentice School students, who worked their time in the school proper for their four or more years, just like any other college program, but also worked in the yard itself, or in the design divisions, or whatever other division coincided with their area of interest or focus, as part of their training as well. Their schedules were always a mystery! And there were also the predictable city bus routes which included the shipyard stops as part of their daily routes. Staggering shifts like that was the only way they could get a handle on the amazing traffic tidalwaves that were part of getting people to work and back home again everyday. There are (or at least there were) specific parking areas near the buildings down in the yard where they were working, and surface lots for the use of specific classes of workers close by the buildings where they worked. (The Gallery, John Vachon, WW2)
Ninth and G: 1919
... "Ninth and G Streets." With a view of the U.S. Patent Office. National Photo Co. Collection glass negative. View full size. Too late I'd wager they are out of the 1920 World Almanac; that could have come in handy. United Cigar Store ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 09/04/2012 - 9:36pm -

Washington, D.C., circa 1919. "Ninth and G Streets." With a view of the U.S. Patent Office. National Photo Co. Collection glass negative. View full size. Too late I'd wager they are out of the 1920 World Almanac; that could have come in handy. United Cigar StoreLove the Lucky Strike signs in the cigar store window. I had no idea the "It's Toasted" slogan, or the brand for that matter, was so old. Details, detailsI love the details in the store front. A photo taken like that nowadays is deleted as soon as it hits the screen. GO GOI like the STOP & GO semaphore. Traffic police officers operated semaphores and early traffic lights by hand. City officials didn't think drivers would obey the signals otherwise. The traffic officers judged the traffic and decided when to change the signal. To alert traffic that the signal was about to change, they blew a whistle. Besides cars and trucks, traffic included street cars and horse-drawn vehicles. With all this traffic, one problem that officers had was being able to see and be seen by drivers, especially at congested intersections. Mailbox on CornerAll these years later, there is still a mailbox on that corner, of course not the same one. There are two now, and that's the one I use in the morning on my way to work, when exiting the Gallery Place Metro station entrance to the left of the photo. Nice to think that for generations people have mailed letters on that corner, it's a pleasant bit of continuity among all the change in the area. Inside the WindowWe have previously seen the interior of the Dr. Johnston's dental office here. ("The Coolest Dental Office In Washington") The lettering in the window matches perfectly. Dave, can you tell from the LOC numbers if this exterior photo may have been commonissioned by Dr. Johnston? Get the driftThere is nothing more unsightly than than the fallen snow on a city street a day or two after it has fallen. Rough looking buildingThe building in the foreground appears to have been built in 1912, a mere 7 years before the photo was made. Yet it seems awfully shabby for such a new building - stains and dirt all over the sides of the structure. Maybe in the early 1900s the soot and dirt were a real menace. Old Patent OfficeIs that columned building now the National Portrait Gallery? [It is. - Dave] Fallen SnowThe snow's a lady and like others of her sex, though delightful in her fall (to those that enjoy her) is apt to be a bit depressing once she has fallen. -- John Collier, in "His Monkey Wife" Dental progressThe dentist above the cigar store reminded me of my first visit to our family dentist around 1960 -- Dr. Sertle. He was nearing retirement, and didn't want to invest in any of that newfangled equipment. He had a foot-operated drill, which probably was painful even when it was new. But to compound the situation, with the getting on in age, he developed arthritis in his knee. This caused him to vary the speed of the drill, since his knee probably gave out years before, and then the drill would slow down and then speed up, all the while grinding at your poor teeth, with them hollering louder than the dentist's knee. I didn't go to a dentist until I got married at 22 and had almost as many cavities. The trauma of the foot operated drill strongly entrenched fear of dentist in my mind. (The Gallery, D.C., Natl Photo, Stores & Markets, Streetcars)
Arlington Brewing: 1920
Arlington Brewing Co. circa 1920. An 8x10 glass negative that would leave your fancy-schmancy digtal SLR ... Prohibition Victim If this photo was shot in 1920, the Arlington Brewing Co. had already been out of the beer business for ... TO VIRGINIA REAL ESTATE ==== ==== TITLES INSURED OFFICE ALEX CO. C.H.VA ...made me laugh. In happy astonishment. I'd ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 09/03/2012 - 11:52am -

Arlington Brewing Co. circa 1920. An 8x10 glass negative that would leave your fancy-schmancy digtal SLR crying for its mommy. View full size. Nat'l Photo. DetailWhen your pixels are molecular sized you can usually get more detail. [The obvious difference is that in an SLR the verticals would be tilted inward toward the top because you have no perspective control. The "pixels" would probably be around the same size or a little bigger than a CCD pixel (a 12-megapixel SLR can capture far more detail than a 35mm film camera). But there would be many more of those pixels -- the image sensor in an SLR is around one square inch; an 8x10 glass plate is 80 times as big. - Dave] Watch That First Step!Those doors on the second floor look pretty dangerous! Prohibition VictimIf this photo was shot in 1920, the Arlington Brewing Co. had already been out of the beer business for four years. The state of Virginia went dry in 1916, and the brewery was located in Roslyn Virginia. During Prohibition it produced a soft drink called Cherry Smash. It didn't reopen after the repeal of Prohibition in 1933 and was used as a warehouse until the building was torn down in 1959 to build a new hotel. Presumably the hotel resembles a box (doesn't all 1959 period construction). [Key Bridge Marriott. - Dave] HayloftThat "second floor door" is where hay was stored in the stable. The exposed beam above the door is a pulley post. Wagons loaded with hay and feed would drive up and their loads would be lifted into the hayloft using block and tackle. When it was time to feed the horses, hay was dropped down a chute or opening into the stall cribs in the stable below. The iron gate is for equine access. Arlington Brewing Co. probably used big draft horses - Belgians, Percherons, Clydesdales or the like. Barrels of beer are heavy! And, it's still hereNot only is it incredibly detailed, but more importantly, it's still here. This negative survived by just being stuck in a box somewhere in a reasonably favorable environment. Do nothing over the next 88 years with the digital image you take today and see if anybody's able to view it in 2096. Also, a new Shorpy pastime: Count the Bricks! Does that faded sign say"Wiener the perfect beer?" "Wiener the Purified Beer?" Can't quite make it out. [Pure. - Dave] Sharp"An 8x10 glass negative that would leave your fancy-schmancy digtal SLR crying for its mommy. " To say the least. An Excellent PointThis worries me too. When we cleaned out my Great Grandmothers house after she died we found a huge album of photos taken in Alaska between about 1880 and 1920. I'm not sure what, if anything soomeone would do if they came across a bunch of my backup dvd's or and ancient external hard drive a hundred years in the future. Hopefully technology will settle on one photo format soon and stick with it. Those TracksThe details are beyond anything that a digital camera will record. As a rail fan, I noticed the trolley wire frog in the top left hand corner of the photo. While there does not appear to have been a siding to the building, the area was served by an Interurban electric railroad. By the mid thirties, most Interurbans were being abandoned. It's hard to tell if those tracks were still in use. But it does not look like they were. Fancy-Schmancy?No doubt that an 8 x 10 view camera can outperform my fancy-schmancy digtal SLR, but I'll take that SLR and day over hauling around the equipment needed for that 8 x 10. Besides, I find that spending time in my "lightroom" beats those many hours spent in the darkroom over the years. Definitely HDI was literally gasping here for a moment. Then I laughed. That has got to be one of the sharpest images I've ever seen. Obviously the photog knew his business. Then the fact that the full-size image actually contained the information for the small print: VIRGINIA REALTY TITLE CORP. CERTIFICATES & ABSTRACTS OF TITLE FURNISHED TO VIRGINIA REAL ESTATE ==== ==== TITLES INSURED OFFICE ALEX CO. C.H.VA ...made me laugh. In happy astonishment. I'd quite like a digital SLR, though. Sigh!Once again, the replacement building doesn't even approach the the original. But at least the new building serves a purpose - in my hometown (Joliet, IL) there used to be a similarly beautiful brewery of the same vintage as Arlington, which was torn down about 40-50 years ago for a parking lot (which the site still is today). And it's in a part of town which doesn't have much demand for off-street parking anyway. Prohibition VictimIt certainly looks derelict in the photo, except there some kind of exhaust coming out of a small smokestack next to the larger brick chimney. Perhaps it was already producing Cherry Smash, a process which probably wouldn't require all the brewing apparatus - which I'm assuming all the fancy stacks sprouting from the rooftop are for. Also, was that a greenhouse on the roof, or an elaborate skylight? What a beautiful building - at first glance, I thought it was a church! (I'm sure for some it would be!) Is that a greenhouseon the roof? Nice picture. W&ODThe tracks in the foreground were the Arlington's own Washington and Old Dominion railroad, which started out in 1847 and lasted until 1968. This shot was taken on the Rosslyn Branch, which was abandoned in the early 1960s. This part of the line is now I-66. (The Gallery, Natl Photo)
Room 509: 1920
Washington, D.C., circa 1920. "Office with women and typewriters" is all it says here. National Photo ... them -- they make the modern cubicle look like a spacious office in comparison. Note the additional bunch stuffed into the next room as ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/07/2012 - 12:11pm -

Washington, D.C., circa 1920. "Office with women and typewriters" is all it says here. National Photo Company Collection glass negative. View full size. Studying the manualThey are all trying to figure out how these things work. "Now where's the ON switch?" Working conditionsThere is not much desk space for them -- they make the modern cubicle look like a spacious office in comparison. Note the additional bunch stuffed into the next room as well. It must be stifling to have that many people working in the same room on hot summer days in Washington DC, before the days of air conditioning. No ceiling fan for these ladies, either. And based on the relative lack of clutter, I expect that they remove all their belongings at the end of the day, rather than keep papers around till next time. This has been a testIf it were real, you would all have your own desk. It looks like some sort of pre-employment exam, testing the candidates for reading speed, comprehension and speling. The lady in a chair in the foreground and the other in back with the whip in her left hand pretty much precludes an every-day-is-like-this situation. Who left the tuna sandwich in the icebox overnight?Yes, it is an office. Yes, there are typewriters. Yes, the people in the office are women. But I am not convinced that this is where they sit when they do their work each day. This appears to be some kind of meeting or gathering taking place. Notice that the women to the right have no desks and there is really only one typewriter per table. (One typewriter has been moved to sit at the front table, with another already there, so the women with the inkwells and pens have a place to write). What this company did, might suggest what kind of meeting this was. But it seems clear to me that this is not how this room looked when these women were doing their daily tasks. [This might be the District Building on Pennsylvania Avenue. Room 509 is where bids submitted for various municipal contracts were unsealed. Anyone there on the fifth floor today, send us a pic! - Dave] I didn't realize that women wore spatsHowever, the woman in the foreground is wearing them. I always identified them as a form of wear exclusively reserved for men. The last time I saw them worn was back in the early 1960's. I was passing by an old investment house in the financial district of a large city. A chauffeured Rolls-Royce came around the corner and picked up an elegantly dressed older gent. I noticed that he was wearing spats; what a grand old guy! (The Gallery, D.C., Natl Photo, The Office)
Fageol Motors Co.: 1918
July 1918. "Fageol Motors truck factory front office. Oakland, California." While waiting for your meeting with Mr. Fort, ... He is the Sales Manager of Fageol Motors Co. in the 1920 US Census. In the 1930 census, he is a Vice President in the Motor ... it show up on Shorpy?! Or maybe it already has... Office manager Frederick John Wuepper, born 1892 in Michigan, was the office ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 06/13/2016 - 12:41pm -

July 1918. "Fageol Motors truck factory front office. Oakland, California." While waiting for your meeting with Mr. Fort, please feel free to browse our wide selection of trade journals. (In this week's Canadian Countryman: "Haying Time Again.") 8x10 glass negative by the Cheney Photo Advertising Co. View full size. Also in the magazine rackAutomotive Industries, first published in 1895, and still around today. Wuepper-SnapperMr. Wuepper seems a bit young to be manning the Comptometer at such an operation. (Sorry, couldn't resist.) Early voice recorderThomas Edison dictaphone in use. [Almost. The Edison device is an Ediphone; the Dictaphone was made by Columbia. - Dave] Over ThereJuly 1918 and the American Expeditionary Forces led by Gen. John 'Black Jack' Pershing were in Europe. Judging by the service banner, eight Fageol Motors employees had joined up to help fight the good fight as well. A question that must be askedAs I survey these purposeful and professional Oakland-area employees, I have to wonder: "What kind of drivers were they?" Say Cheese!You've got this entire room full of people but only the guy sitting in the back at the far right is noticing the camera. Too bad, too, as the girl at the counter probably didn't have much trouble getting looks from the men. Hat indoorsPeople nowadays wear their stupid hats everywhere, indoors and out, but what's with that guy on the far right? Fast forward to 1950This caught my eye (with links about the history of the company in the text): http://theoldmotor.com/?p=138179 Sales managerOur Mr Fort is James H Fort, born in New York in 1887 to English parents. He is the Sales Manager of Fageol Motors Co. in the 1920 US Census. In the 1930 census, he is a Vice President in the Motor Industry. A hive of activityAll staff (pretending to be) busy except one looking rather sullenly at the camera as if he has been caught out. Re: Say Cheese!Not noticing the camera? My very first thought when looking at this photo was actually somewhat the opposite. I'm sure that this exposure took at least a second, maybe even two or three, and I was impressed that the photographer was able to get everyone's attention and have them all comply with "whatever you are doing at this moment, do not move the slightest bit until I tell you!" BTW, that looks like a Christopher Helin photo on the back wall. How cool would it be to have it show up on Shorpy?! Or maybe it already has... Office managerFrederick John Wuepper, born 1892 in Michigan, was the office manager for Fageol Motors when he registered for the WW1 draft on June 5, 1917. His business address was 13714 San Pablo Avenue. (The Gallery, Cars, Trucks, Buses, The Office)
The Woman in His House: 1920
Washington, D.C., circa 1920. "Crowds at Metropolitan Theatre, F Street N.W." National Photo Company ... Premier Washington Post, October 10, 1920. At the Picture Houses. Metropolitan — "The Woman in ... reached in DC that allows developers to construct modern office space that incorporates the facades of legacy structures such as these. ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/21/2012 - 7:51pm -

Washington, D.C., circa 1920. "Crowds at Metropolitan Theatre, F Street N.W." National Photo Company Collection glass negative. View full size. Lotta LookingI see Lotta Miles, the Kelly Springfield Tires lady, looking over the scene. Block is much the same todayFrom what I can see on Google maps, the theater is the only building that is gone on that block The other buildings look pretty much the same today as they did then. View Larger Map Personal appearanceMildred Harris Chaplin, the star of "The Woman in His House," made a personal appearance at the Metropolitan, which probably explains the crowd. Atlantic BuildingThe Atlantic Building, to the left of the theater, was a hotbed of music and art in the 1980s. "The Bootery Footwear" housed a carryout which featured the "bone fish sandwich," a big piece of fried fish, complete with bones, on a bun. Superproduction Premier Washington Post, October 10, 1920. At the Picture Houses. Metropolitan — "The Woman in His House." An event of particular importance in the picture world will be the first showing on any screen of Louis B. Mayer's superproduction, "The Woman in His House," at Crandall's Metropolitan for the entire week. An all-star cast headed by Mildred Harris Chaplin appears in the picture which is said to surpass the "Miracle Man" in heart appeal and has already been booked into a production house in Broadway where it will be shown at $2 prices. Lotta TalentThe young lady in the Kelly-Springfield ad is Miss Norma Shearer. It is ironic that the theater is showing a Louis B. Mayer film. In a few years Miss Shearer would become one of the superstars of MGM pictures. She would also marry Mayer's nephew Irving Thalberg. An article about the theatreAn article on the theatre: http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/7629 Not REALLY Still ThereFor better or for worse, these buildings remain as facades only. A clever compromise has been reached in DC that allows developers to construct modern office space that incorporates the facades of legacy structures such as these. No minced words for Mr. MintzIn the 1922 guide book “Historical Self-Guide of Washington The Heart of the Nation. Arlington and Mt. Vernon. A Liberal Education for the Sight-seer" its ads included “‘Mintz the Trunk Man, agent for Indestructo Custom Made Trunks’, who mixed low commerce with patriotic reverence and promised ‘IMMEDIATE repairs to your trunk or leather bag’ located ‘just around the corner from Ford’s Theatre where President Lincoln was shot’”. Along with trunks and suitcases he offered traveling bags "for the missionary, and leather novelties". Probably better not to question the juxtaposition of missionary and leather novelties. 930 F St NWHunh. 930 F St NW, next door to the theater, was the old home of the 930 Club, a well-known alternative-music venue where I saw many a band back in the 1980s. I think Nirvana was the last band I saw there, with Loop opening up. If you can imagine Nirvana in that tiny front room; yeah. It's no mystery where my hearing went. (The Gallery, D.C., Movies, Natl Photo)
Foot Comfort Week: 1920
June 1920. "Berberich store window, Seventh Street." The venerable Washington, D.C., ... Repeats The clerk-in-charge of the Seventh Street (Post Office) Station, located in Berberich's at 1118 7th Street, NW, was Leona M. De Lawder. The post office's hours were 8am to 6pm, closed Sundays and holidays. Interesting ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 12/26/2011 - 8:42pm -

June 1920. "Berberich store window, Seventh Street." The venerable Washington, D.C., shoe emporium. In the era of confining footwear, bunions, corns and calluses, it was Dr. Scholl to the rescue. National Photo Co. View full size. Shoe du JourDespite the date, some of those ads look oddly contemporary. Anyway I'm sad that I missed Foot Comfort Week. Maybe next June 21-26, 1920. Weak claim.So, you get foot comfort this week -- then what happens? Fashionable CrueltiesIn the 1920s American and European missionaries were quick to condemn the horrors of traditional Chinese foot binding, but our own shoe fashions were hardly more rational, and Dr. Scholl made a fortune providing remedies to ease the pain of wearing the "beautiful" pointed shoes that deformed our feet. Many people today still think that those vintage shoes look prettier than shoes shaped like real human feet, even if we don't wear them, and that undeformed "peasant" feet with anatomically normal wide toes are somehow low-class. The architect and social historian Bernard Rudovsky (1905-1988) famously called these beliefs into question in his 1947 exhibition "Are Clothes Modern?" at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, with his model of a human foot that fit our symmetrical shoes by putting the big toe in the middle. Adding Insult to InjurySo we have to wipe our corn and bunion covered, crooked-toed feet before entering your establishment? Gee thanks Mr. Berberich. Soon to comeI don't see the Zino-Pad and I searched the pic as close as I could. It was invented by Dr Scholl in 1918 for corn removal, but probably wasn't in full distribution by 1920. Small feetI've heard that women used to be ashamed of larger feet and would buy shoes smaller than really needed. I've evidenced this in many of the photos of the 20s - they always seem to have "foot pillows" popping out the top of the foot! History RepeatsThe clerk-in-charge of the Seventh Street (Post Office) Station, located in Berberich's at 1118 7th Street, NW, was Leona M. De Lawder. The post office's hours were 8am to 6pm, closed Sundays and holidays. Interesting that the USPS, in wanting to close down free-standing post offices, is looking at the contract station inside of established business model. Shoe Store FluoroscopyI remember, during my childhood in the 1930s, my mother taking me to the local Thom McAn shoe store. Before she invested the four or five dollars in a pair of shoes that I would soon outgrow, I would stick both feet into the console fluoroscopy machine, prominently situated at the front of the store. There were 2 viewing ports not unlike those on the hand cranked Nickelodeon machines. I looked through one of those ports, to see my toes wiggling in the X-ray machine's green light. My mother and/or the salesman taking turns looking through the other viewer to make sure I had plenty of room for those toe bones to grow. These devices would be around until the 1960s, when the Feds, realizing the X-raying dangers banned their use. Oh my goodness willc! I sawOh my goodness willc! I saw that exact display at an exhibition at the Cooper Hewitt in NY in the mid-1980's. I've never forgotten the shape the foot with the big toe in the middle. Too funny. A quick walk back on memory lane.This shoe store looks almost exactly like the one I remember from my childhood: Slosberg's in Gardiner, Maine. I can close my eyes and drift back to those days when I would walk into the store, and breathe deeply; taking in the smell of shoe leather and pipe tobacco (Mrs. Slosberg's husband smoked a pipe). I distinctly remember that Mrs. Slosberg always tended the customers; and her husband went and found the shoes on the racks on the walls that, while only about 20 levels high, seemed like a hundred. She would give each child a hug, sit them down, take their shoes off them, and massage their feet to get them loosened up to the right shape and size for proper fitting. I always felt like some kind of royalty with the way I was treated. I also remember having to put my old shoes back on to leave the store, as my mother didn't want me scuffing up the new ones. Somehow, today's experience in buying shoes just isn't quite the same. (The Gallery, D.C., Natl Photo, Stores & Markets)
In the Cards: 1920
Washington, D.C., circa 1920. "Tabulating Machine Co." Our third look at the firm's equipment in ... Have you ever noticed that in many of these circa-1920 office interior photos, the ceiling lights are rarely in use? Was electric ... - Dave] (The Gallery, D.C., Harris + Ewing, The Office) ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/27/2012 - 5:05pm -

Washington, D.C., circa 1920. "Tabulating Machine Co." Our third look at the firm's equipment in action. Harris & Ewing glass negative. View full size. Thanks for jogging the memoryI worked on maintaining punched card sorters in London in my school holidays in the late 60s. The machines were just slicker versions of the ones shown here. The quantity of punched cards was staggering. The Prudential Assurance Building had 5 million punched cards laid out on tables. They in the process of being copied on to magnetic tape. Five years later I was working on "state of the art" computers. In 1973 ours had a 5MB hard disk about the size of a dustbin. It's time I went in search of all the photos I took.... Full EmploymentAll of these people have been replaced by one modern computer. What do they do now? What they do nowR.I.P., we hope Lights outHave you ever noticed that in many of these circa-1920 office interior photos, the ceiling lights are rarely in use? Was electric light still enough of an innovation that its use was often an after thought, or was electricity in "them days" expensive enough that keeping the lights off was a cost-cutting measure for the bean counters? Inquiring minds want to know! [I think a lot of the smaller ceiling fixtures were probably used only for nighttime illumination. - Dave] Just ThinkIn 50 years people will be viewing pictures of us doing our daily tasks with pity.... Price of electricityFrom what I have been told, the average price of a kwh of electricity about that time was 65 cents, where now it averages 9 cents. Perhaps it was too expensive then. The tabulatorsThey are hard to identify based on Web photos, since most tabulators you see pictures of are different models. But it looks a bit like the one in this photo, albeit a view of the other side of the machine. Notice that they added finger guards to the leather drive belt by 1934, presumably as a result of some missing fingers. Thonet #14Those are Thonet chairs no. 14 the "chairs of chairs" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Thonet. As seen in Viennese cafes. Women in the workplaceInteresting there are so many women... my grandmother once told me a woman's employment choice back then was only teacher, nurse, secretary, or housewife. Not true in the big city I guess! [I think punch-card operator would fall under the heading of clerical work, one of the traditional "women's jobs." - Dave] (The Gallery, D.C., Harris + Ewing, The Office)
The Swamp: 1920
Washington, D.C., circa 1920. "Government Printing Office, H and North Capitol Streets N.W." ... the same today ... but with a lot more infill of modern office construction in the immediate surroundings. And no more awnings. ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 11/10/2021 - 5:08pm -

Washington, D.C., circa 1920. "Government Printing Office, H and North Capitol Streets N.W." Affectionately known as "The Swamp." National Photo Co. glass negative. View full size. Looks exactly the same today ...but with a lot more infill of modern office construction in the immediate surroundings. And no more awnings. Renamed the Government Publishing Office in 2014, the building had a superb bookstore on the ground floor, to the left of the H Street entrance, where I spent many hours but not so many dollars browsing the various subjects and taking advantage of the incredibly low prices for some very high-quality hardcovers. Unfortunately, the bookstore was closed permanently early this year, and one now has to rely on the website, which is not such a great experience. Quite a place!In my print-production days, I'd go there quite often. Two things always impressed me: The lobby with its plaque about the nobility of the printing trade, and the floors on some of the levels that were made of thousands of four-by-four boards arranged with the ends up to deaden sound and vibration from the presses. I always wondered long those boards were. The men and women working there were amazing in their knowledge of the print business, and I was lucky enough to be involved with them at the transition to computer graphics. The vacant lots are gone (The Gallery, D.C., Motorcycles, Natl Photo)
Selznick Pictures: 1920
January 1920. Washington, D.C. "Selznick front, Thirteenth Street N.W." National Photo ... the old Washington Star, a booking and exhibitor relations office for the various movie theaters in the mid-Atlantic region. (The ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 09/13/2011 - 11:59pm -

January 1920. Washington, D.C. "Selznick front, Thirteenth Street N.W." National Photo Company Collection glass negative. View full size. Hepner's Hair EmporiumWilliam Hepner: "the acknowledged leader in the Art of Hair Dressing in America." The Washington salons of Hepner's Hair Emporium opened Jan 9, 1911. An image of the original New York establishment of William Hepner's hair and skin salon was previously seen in this 1912 Shorpy Photo. Advertisement, Washington Post, Nov 5, 1913 New York       Washington       Atlantic City Special Display of the Latest Coiffeur Effects by William Hepner We are now showing in our windows a special display of the very latest coiffeurs, by William Hepner, the acknowledged leader in the Art of Hair Dressing in America. Every woman in Washington who keeps abreast of Fashion should see these new coiffeurs. Highest Quality Hair Goods All our hair goods are made from the finest quality of human hair, personally selected. Our experts make up the most attractive pieces, under the most sanitary conditions. Our great stock makes it possible for us to exactly match any shade of hair. We Offer Ideal Service in Scalp Treatment, Shampooing, Hair Dressing, Massage and Manicuring Here in our luxurious parlor, daft and cheerful workers, trained in our New York establishment, are ready to serve you. Special service in your own home when desired. Toupees made to order and fitted by experts. Hepner's Hair Emporium 525 13th St. 2 Doors Below F Select Pictures CorpSelect Pictures Corporation was not a happy place. It was created after future Paramount boss Adolph Zukor quietly bought half of Lewis Selznick's silent film company. Zukor apparently insisted on the title change, because he didn't want Selznick's name included. Zukor, however, cared more about his other film companies than for any Selznick, and in the production glut of 1923 let Select Pictures and Selznick go bankrupt. But Lewis's two college-age sons (Myron and David O.) learned. David of course would become a mogul to rival Zukor, while Myron, as talent agent, would avenge Zukor's treatment of their father. If you could run the interior shots of this business in the LOC's archive, it might be possible to tell if one of the workers was an 18-year-old David O. [I doubt any actual Selznicks worked here. - Dave] Who you gonna call?There seems to be a trans-dimensional portal forming around those two centre buildings. Tragedy awaitsThe actress Olive Thomas was soon to marry Mary Pickfords brother; and while on a trip to Paris with him died under mysterious circumstances. He was implicated in her death for a short time, but the truth of what happened has never been fully explained. Julius Garfinkle and Co. (Washingson~Paris)The company was established in 1905 and, by the 1930s, was the most fashionable ladies' store in Washington. The store was still in existence in the 1970s. They were located on the SE corner of F and 13th NW Streets. Quite a few dresses and accessories with the store label show up on EBay. Garfinkle's demiseI've always thought that the reason the store eventually went under is to be explained in an incident from my childhood. Once -- I must have been 2 or 3 -- my mother took me with her when she went shopping there. One of the salesladies commented on what a handsome grandson she had. My mother never set foot in the place again. Julius GarfinckelThe most interesting thing to me in this picture is the spelling of "Julius Garfinkle." At some time during his life, the great Washington retailer changed the spelling of his name from Garfinkle to Garfinckel. The store was always known as Garfinckel's during my lifetime. The flagship downtown store moved from 13th and F to the northwest corner of 14th and F in 1929. The building now houses offices and street-level retail. I give up.At first, I merely thought it was something wrong with the film. Then, I looked at the picture full size and realized that they were on display in not just one, but both of Garfinkle windows. They look like a bunch of haunted handkerchiefs that have come to life, and are saying "Boo" to all passing pedestrians. [Mold on the emulsion is responsible for the clothing display's alarming appearance. - Dave] Daft WorkersIn the Hepner's ad below it states "Here in our luxurious parlor, daft and cheerful workers" -- I believe the word should have been deft, not daft. Can you imagine a customer requesting one of Hepner's most daft workers to work on her hair? Garfinkle'sMy mother worked at Garfinkle's in the 1930s, and I remember her shopping there many times while I was growing up near DC. I'd have to wait around endlessly while she tried on dresses, but at least we ate lunch at the Hot Shoppe on 14th St, and went to the matinee at the Capitol or the Trans-Lux. Select PicturesThis was, according to news items in the old Washington Star, a booking and exhibitor relations office for the various movie theaters in the mid-Atlantic region. (The Gallery, Cars, Trucks, Buses, D.C., Movies, Natl Photo)
The Inner Childs: 1920
Washington circa 1920. "Peyse & Patzy[?]. Childs Restaurant." Acres of white tile for that ... room to bus station bathroom, or worse. A la the dental office in "Brazil." Still All the Rage Restaurant walls covered in ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 09/12/2011 - 2:54pm -

Washington circa 1920. "Peyse & Patzy[?]. Childs Restaurant." Acres of white tile for that hygienic, sanitary look. National Photo glass negative. View full size. Childs' playWilliam and Samuel Childs began the Childs chain of restaurants in the late 19th century in New York City. Their restaurants were always white-tiled -- floors, ceilings, walls -- to give patrons an impression of sanitation and order. Some even put their cooks on display, preparing food in the front window both to entice hungry passers-by and to reassure them that their food was prepared in a sanitary manner. After 1898 most Childs restaurants were self-service cafeterias, since this both cut operating costs and allowed customers to inspect the food before buying. (At the time it was believed that disease could be spread only by food that was obviously spoiled or dirty.) Those that weren't self-serve featured waitresses in crisp white uniforms. PerfectExcept for that napkin on the floor under the table. Wonderful tile work, floor and ceiling! White Castle meets IRT in DCCross White Castle with a New York City subway station, and their offspring might have looked like this. I'd eat there (with earplugs)I think it's absolutely gorgeous. The acoustics are probably unbearable, though. Crash-rash-rash-rash-rashI'll bet there was an awful echo in the dining room, especially when someone broke a plate of oyster shells or rib-bones. A closer lookHat rack - coat hooks Cut glass sugar bowls Sign looks set into the wall or replacing a small window? Table legs appear to be on blocks. On the GridOf course once you start to get cracks in all those pretty white tiles and the grout starts to mildew, the vibe goes from operating room to bus station bathroom, or worse. A la the dental office in "Brazil." Still All the RageRestaurant walls covered in glazed tiles never went out of style in Southeast Asia. Two eateries that I frequent here in Bangkok look just like this. Great ExpectorationsNice place, but where's the spittoons? Notice to PatronsIn keeping with the all-washable decor, the "Notice to Patrons" appears to be a classic reverse-painted glass sign. Fancy examples featured burnished gilding, "glue-chipped" and mirrored backgrounds, and lettering inlaid with mother-of-pearl. Surviving examples are expensive collectibles today. Don't Order the LiverThis place looks more like an autopsy room. It's kinda gross. I couldn't eat there. Way too cold, sterile, and ugly. It's 12:20 where are all the patrons? Correct time?Looks more like a couple of minutes after 4 to me. (The Gallery, D.C., Eateries & Bars, Natl Photo)
Weather Bureau: 1920
Washington, D.C., circa 1920. "U.S. Weather Bureau, exterior." Harris & Ewing Collection glass ... of Agriculture whereas in the UK, the Meteorological Office is part of the Ministry of Defence. I wonder what that tells us about ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/28/2012 - 3:54pm -

Washington, D.C., circa 1920. "U.S. Weather Bureau, exterior." Harris & Ewing Collection glass negative. View full size. I've seen this beforeWhen I first saw this photo it looked familiar, then it dawned on me, it's the model for the the Army Corps of Engineers logo. I went to Engineer School ar Fort Belvoir for my Army training, and back then I think the logo wasn't as stylized as it is now. Parapet PeeveThe walls, to be pedantic, aren't crenelated, the parapets are. I actually have the distinct pleasure to use the word "crenelated" somewhat regularly in my architectural research. It's fun at cocktail parties. I particularly love any chance to whip out "oriel." NotchedCrenelated walls. Say it with me: "crenelated." Come on, how often do you get to use the word "crenelated"? Weather ObserversBoys and maps by the entrance. Agriculture or DefenceI am intrigued to see that the US Weather Bureau is part of the Department of Agriculture whereas in the UK, the Meteorological Office is part of the Ministry of Defence. I wonder what that tells us about the two countries' attitude towards the weather? Katrina was staged!So this is where the Government started to learn how to control the weather. Actually neither Agriculture nor DefenseThe National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administation (NOAA), the current successor agency of the old Weather Bureau, is now part of the Department of Commerce. Mark I EyeballI sometimes wonder if weather prediction would improve if meteorologists occasionally climbed up on the roof and actually looked around. Probably not many observation platforms like those in the picture any more. You sure it's for weather?With all the "mad scientist" on the roof, it looks like Frankenstein should live there! Gone With the WindJames Goode's book "Capital Losses" places this building on the southwest corner of M and 24th streets NW. It was razed in 1965. Bureau BuildingCompleted in 1886, this pile of red bricks sat on M street between 24th and 25th streets NW. When organized in 1870, the Bureau was part of the Signal Service Corps under the War Department. It was transferred to the Department of Agriculture in 1891. The Army Corps of Engineer insignia, while similar, dates back to the 1840s and is thought to be modeled on Pershing Barracks at West Point, NY. Open windowsSo often in Shorpy photos I see buildings with wide open windows and no sign of screens. Makes me wonder how they kept flies, mosquitoes, birds and other flying critters out. Or were there not such things back then? (The Gallery, D.C., Harris + Ewing)
The Secretary: 1920
Washington, D.C., circa 1920. "National Personnel Service Bureau." This could be a shot composed by ... - Dave] (The Gallery, D.C., Natl Photo, The Office) ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/21/2012 - 7:52pm -

Washington, D.C., circa 1920. "National Personnel Service Bureau." This could be a shot composed by Edward Hopper. National Photo Co. View full size. Have a seatin one of the cane chairs in the foreground. This style chair is a great set item for time-period theatre productions. Hard to find used in a usable state, though. Name changeAnd today, of course, it would be known as "National Human Resources Service Bureau." Never use one word when two will do. Let's see if I have this straightShe's... inside... so she must be the Secretary of the Interior. Wonderful ConceptThat's a remarkably different composition and concept for its time. And it was a two-person shoot: one squeezing the shutter bulb, another firing a very sizable load of flash powder for light which matched the people strongly enough to equal the outdoor exposure. A very talented shooter made this one. [The photographers employed by the National Photo Co. were, by definition, pros. - tterrace] Not a typo to be seen What a pleased and composed expression on her lovely, and older, face. An accomplished professional at one with her work. Let's see, perfect margins, no misspelled words, no strikeovers. Her boss is lucky to have her. Wonder what he paid her. Hide the typewriterBig in those days were desks which actually hide the typewriter when not needed. Some had a pull-up-and cover-it desk top. But I believe this one has the typewriter bolted down and hinge is used to rotate the machine under, leaving a very nice wooden workspace for the secretary to use. DictionaryShe needed the dictionary in case her spell-check was on the blitz. [And then there are those beyond the help of spell-check. - Dave] (The Gallery, D.C., Natl Photo, The Office)
Reverse Mixologist: 1920
Washington, D.C., circa 1920. "U.S. Treasury, Internal Revenue Department." Measuring the alcohol ... there is a long section on the NYC medical examiner's office and problems associated with Prohibition. I was surprised to read about ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 07/08/2014 - 12:48pm -

Washington, D.C., circa 1920. "U.S. Treasury, Internal Revenue Department." Measuring the alcohol content of various libations and tonics at the start of Prohibition. National Photo Company Collection glass negative. View full size. Testing for content.I know a way to measure alcohol content without using test tubes. (Buuurp) How much alcohol?Young man, as you measure the alcohol content in these mysterious "poison" bottles, remember the words of Mae West: Too much of a good thing is better. PoisonIt is interesting that four of the bottles being tested have poison labels on them. Were they tonics or were they libations? [Notes typed on the labels say beer. At first I thought the Poison stickers were a ruse to trick the revenuers. But the bottles are from different sources -- Springfield, Illinois, and Erie, Pennsylvania, to name two. Another label says the contents are a sample taken from a "bottling house." So these might be the agents' standard storage bottles (or labels) for seized booze. - Dave] Who knew?A young Foster Brooks at his first place of employment. You shouldn't blame the Twerp, er, Scientist.Here's your Prohibitionists! Proofing grounds80 proof beer? I like the sound of that! Re: PoisonAnother possibility is that the samples were deliberately denatured at the time they were collected, and labeled to prevent them being stolen from the analysts and consumed. Poison and ProhibitionA very fun read on the subject of elixirs, poisons, perfumes, and alcohol is "The Poisoner's Handbook" by Deborah Blum. It is somewhat mis-titled, since there is a long section on the NYC medical examiner's office and problems associated with Prohibition. I was surprised to read about the escalating "arms race" between the federal government's development of various poisonous compounds added to denature so called "industrial alcohol," intended to discourage human consumption, and the bootleggers' effort to remove these poisons by redistilling alcohol containing liquids, such as perfume. Apparently this is a longstanding practice related to taxation. During Prohibition, it became a significant public health issue. The poisons that were added to denature drinking alcohol, which were mandated federal formulas and often contained other highly toxic substances besides just methyl alcohol, apparently injured and killed many people, and became quite a controversy. I didn't know much about the subject, and so it was quite a fascinating read. Hazardous to your health?Not so much the alcohol but the acids and other concoctions used to do their testing. Those faucets and taps look decidedly corroded by some of the chemicals. Make mine "up"With an olive, please! BureaucratsLook at that pencil-necked twerp! He was probably the kid in school who was always tattling on the other students. (The Gallery, D.C., Natl Photo)
Munger Motor: 1920
Washington, D.C., circa 1920. "Munger Motor & Mfg. Co., front." On the minus side of the ledger, ... of the Freedom Lunch, opposite the government printing office. Motorcyle heaven I'm a great Excelsior, fan so to see a slice ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/13/2013 - 3:38pm -

Washington, D.C., circa 1920. "Munger Motor & Mfg. Co., front." On the minus side of the ledger, this glass negative has light leaks, dirt, mold and probably halitosis. On the plus side we have beer, motorbikes, circus posters and Freedom Lunch. This circa 1890s Pabst brewery on North Capitol Street would be returning to its beverage roots (minus the alcohol) in just a few years as the Whistle Bottling Works. National Photo Company Collection. View full size. An old phrase and a new phaseIn just five years this chaotic advertising mess would all be removed. Signs over signs, advertising and posters on every window, and bicycles blocking the sidewalk and the diner's door would all be gone. Even the diner next door would vastly improve in appearance. The cola company conversion certainly left this building clean as a Whistle. Bicycle built for ThreeThe overly long tandem bicycle the two men are looking at has three seats. The rear-most riders seems to supply most of the pedal power (from the look of that large sprocket) whilst the front passenger does the steering. Horse shoe hung by door.I always heard that a horse shoes should be hung above the door and open side up, so your luck does not run out. Freedom LunchI love the following for the seldom seen phrase, "As punishment for serving macaroni…" Washington Post, Aug 2, 1918 Lunchroom Man Held William Caros Charged with Violating Food Regulations William Caros, proprietor of the Freedom Lunch, North Capitol and G streets, appeared before food administration officials yesterday to answer charges of violating food regulations. When he failed to show his registration card the police were called in. Caros was arrested and last night was being held for investigations. As punishment for serving macaroni on wheatless day and beef before the evening meal, the food administration has ordered his place of business closed next Tuesday and Wednesday. W.N. Belfield, proprietor of the People's Lunch, 636 North Capitol street, charged with the same violation, has been ordered to do no business next Tuesday and Wednesday. Washington Post, Jul 2, 1922 Freedom Lunch Perhaps is well to make mention of Earnest Carapanos and D. Paidas, each of whom are deserving much praise for their patriotism to this country. Messrs. Carapanos and Paidas each enlisted and served two years in the rank and file for Uncle Sam during the recent world war in France. They are the owners of the Freedom Lunch, opposite the government printing office. Motorcyle heavenI'm a great Excelsior, fan so to see a slice of a 1920s workplace with repairs on the pavement, signage, posters, trucks and bicycles everywhere is a treat. So, it does beg the question, what do you call a bicycle built for three? Same gear ratioThe rear rider does not necessarily supply most of the power. The chainwheels or sprockets connecting the three cranksets are the same size, so all three riders pedal at the same rate. The large chainwheel multiplies the rotational speed of all of them. I would think that with two stokers, the one in the rear would stand the best chance to slack off without discovery. Tandem Terminology A tandem bicycle built for three is called a "triple" or "triplet"; for four, it's a "quad" or "quadruplet." The term "tandem" refers to the fore-aft seating, not the number of riders. If the riders are seated side by side, it's a "sociable." The front rider is called the "pilot" or "captain"; the one in the back is the "stoker" or "rear admiral." The fellow in the middle of a triplet is the "midshipman." Built for ThreeOK, I'll bite on this one. Call it "Tributtem." The TrandemAs any viewer of 1970s British TV comedy show The Goodies will tell you, a three-seater bicycle is known as a Trandem. "Birdie"Could this be a shop owned by Louis "Birdie" Munger, the famous Ordinary racer from the 1890s who later mentored Major Taylor? The bicycles he built were the finest of their time. I would love to be able to see one; even just an image would suffice! (The Gallery, Bicycles, Cars, Trucks, Buses, D.C., Natl Photo)
Close Friends: 1920
San Francisco circa 1920. "Oldsmobile coupe on Gough Street at Lafayette Park." Seats three! 5x7 ... Minneapolis Journal." He next appears in the 1920 Census, living in an apartment at 400 Stanyan Street in San Francisco with ... as having run (unsuccessfully, I believe) for local public office. One of the articles did have his photo in it, which I'll get to ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 10/15/2014 - 12:05pm -

San Francisco circa 1920. "Oldsmobile coupe on Gough Street at Lafayette Park." Seats three! 5x7 glass negative by Christopher Helin. View full size. They certainly aren't well prepared.I hope they don't get a flat. Street of San FranciscoThis was too easy. View Larger Map Looks Brand NewNo spare tire on the rim and overall dapper look of this car suggests it is brand new. [That's the reason the photo was taken, Christopher Helin being the travel and automotive writer for the San Francisco Examiner. -tterrace] Winged FeetI've never before heard of the Goodyear Wingfoot tires that appear on this Olds; however, if I had a set of tires so grandly named, I'm sure I'd be far too confident to fuss about the lack of a spare. Brief (and dry) bio of Christopher HelinSomeone commented about how the woman could have been the photographer's wife over on Facebook, which prompted me to see what I could find on the man himself, purely out of curiosity. I first located him in 1910 in the US Census, living in Minneapolis, 23 years old with wife Alida, sister Katherine and parents Andrew and Katherine. His occupation was listed as Salesman, and his father's, "Sawer / Saw Mill." He appears in the Minneapolis city directories right up to 1919 where he's listed as "Advertising solicitor, Minneapolis Journal." He next appears in the 1920 Census, living in an apartment at 400 Stanyan Street in San Francisco with his wife Alida and children Francis (age 8), Richard (4 10/12 - never saw them add months to children over 1 before!) and Geraldine (age 1 2/12). His occupation is now "Fore Man, Saw Mill." Everyone is listed as being born in Minnesota. My only guess is he relocated to San Francisco and grabbed the first job he could while submitting articles to get a foot in the door with the Examiner. By the time he appears in the 1921 San Francisco city directory, he's relocated to 1044 Lake Street (his occupation isn't shown, but he had already had automotive related articles in the Examiner by at least October of 1920). By 1922 he's listed as a "solicitor" for the San Francisco Examiner, and residing in Burlingame. By 1930, he's become an editor for the newspaper (though in 1931 the city directory still has him as an advertising solicitor), and he had added a fourth child, Patricia (age 9), and was living at a home he owned at 1132 Cortez Avenue in Burlingame. He does appear in a few articles in the late 1920s into the 1930s as having run (unsuccessfully, I believe) for local public office. One of the articles did have his photo in it, which I'll get to later, as its kind of interesting. By 1940 he'd become an insurance salesman (a change of occupation from the mid-1930s going by the city directory listings), and was still living at the same address. Chris J. Helin died in February of 1964, and his widow Alida is listed in 1965 at the same address. By 1971 she'd moved to an apartment complex at 10 De Sabla Road (her son and presumably grandson were living in town, one worked for GE, the other as a salesman for some place called "Russells"). She died in 1977. Getting back to his photo from the late 1920s, his features immediately jumped out at me - Mr. Chris J. Helin is the glowering gentleman in the middle of the seat in this photo. [Bravo! - Dave] Re: tterrace's "too easy"Not quite easy enough -- if you want the exact view, you have to click forward two times from the spot you chose. Nice to see that even though the retaining wall seems to have been stripped of some of its ornamentation since 1920, the concrete post with the rounded top is still identical. The car is basically where the black SUVish vehicle is in the Google Maps post. [That car in the Google view is directly opposite the house with the red bricks that's farther up the street at the extreme right edge of the 1920 shot. -tterrace] Still Used TodayThe Goodyear Winged Foot has been their trademark since shortly after the company began. Here's a recent sign. Motion DampersExternal contracting brakes on the rear axle, and a front axle devoid of brakes. In San Francisco. There's some real entertainment potential. Christopher Helin was my grandfatherChris was my father's father. He was in the first graduating class of 1903 from De LaSalle HS in Minneapolis. He started work with the local Tribune newspaper and worked his way into a position as assistant editor of the auto section. William Randolph Hearst personally moved him and his new family to San Francisco in 1916 and made him Editor of the SF Examiner's Auto Section. In order to help sell cars (and thereby sell advertising) in a city already having a world class transportation system, he would test drive new cars during a substantial tour outside the City thereby creating a desire to travel in a similar manner which only an automobile could provide. To view an annual collection of these Sunday Supplements click here. He left the SF Examiner in the early 1930's when the markets crashed and auto sales became next to impossible. The woman on the left is his sister, Katie Helin. The man on the right is Howard Meacham, one of his two assistant editors. (The Gallery, Cars, Trucks, Buses, Chris Helin, San Francisco)
The Gospel Wagon: 1900
... Building." At the time of its completion 1896, the largest office building in the world. Our title for this post comes from lower down ... through out the country), operated in Buffalo from 1887 to 1920, closed for prohibition from 1920 to 1934, operated again from 1934 to ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 09/16/2017 - 9:43am -

Buffalo, N.Y., circa 1900. "Ellicott Square Building." At the time of its completion 1896, the largest office building in the world. Our title for this post comes from lower down (and higher up). 8x10 inch glass negative. View full size. I like the Gospel Wagon idea..At least there not out knocking on your door during the Pittsburgh Steeler games. Progressive?What does one sell in a "progressive" store? ["Progressive" as in the sense of "modern," as in this article, which seems unintentionally prescient. -tterrace] Phoenix Reflected The Phoenix Brewery, (a very popular name used through out the country), operated in Buffalo from 1887 to 1920, closed for prohibition from 1920 to 1934, operated again from 1934 to final closing in 1957. The title refers to the "BEER" reflection in one of the store windows across the street to the left. Signs of the TimesThere are at least five separate railroad ticket offices in the building: Erie; Pennsylvania; Buffalo Rochester and Pittsburgh; Chicago and Northwestern, and Nickel Plate. There may be more, but they're too fuzzy to read. Also like the interesting phonograph store selling Columbia and Edison cylinders and players (no they were not compatible). Ministering On Main StreetThe Ellicott Square Building (283-309 Main Street) was completed in mid-1896 and still stands today. Six workmen died during the building's construction. Across the street was 304 Main, home to Palmer's Florist and the Albany Dental Parlor. “Sam. Welsh's Progressive Store” was the cigar store of brothers Samuel and Charles E. Welsh. They opened their 311 Main Street store in November of 1899, having previously operated the Progressive Cigar Store at 331 Main Street. Perhaps the Gospel Wagon Association thought that those buying cigars and phonographs needed to be exposed to something a little more “redeeming.” Sidewalk Sign DesignI am interested if anyone knows the purpose of the signs placed along the sidewalks, which seem to be advertising above, and vertical bars of some sort below. Perhaps stops for public transportation, but why so many? And what are the bars for? A classic Shorpy mystery for me. [A rare sight in early Shorpy street scenes: a bicycle rack, like the one in use here. -tterrace] Future office of Wild Bill DonovanWhen this was taken, a local Buffalo teen named William Joseph Donovan was in St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute, with big dreams. He would enroll in Niagara University for two years before transferring to Columbia, where he received a B.A. and law degree. Returning to his hometown, "Wild Bill" went into private practice with Love & Keating in 464 Ellicott Square. He would remain there until he scratched the itch to form his own law firm in 1912. O'Brian, Hamlin, Donovan & Goodyear moved into the brand-new Iroquois Gas Building. Donovan's office grew dusty as he devoted more and more time to reawakening New York's militia and turning it, by 1917, into the "Fighting 69th" New York Infantry. As its colonel, Donovan became nationally famous, leading to a series of positions that would culminate as his appointment during World War II to begin the Office of Strategic Services - the forerunner of the CIA. (The Gallery, Bicycles, Buffalo NY, DPC, Stores & Markets)
Coming Soon: 1920
Washington, D.C., circa 1920. "Wamsley billboard." While pondering the postworthiness of this moldy old ... (Library of Congress, Supreme Court, Congressional office buildings.) Washington Post, Feb 22, 1920 Cigarette Poster on Methodest Sign But Board of ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 09/13/2011 - 8:13pm -

Washington, D.C., circa 1920. "Wamsley billboard." While pondering the postworthiness of this moldy old glass negative, I noticed the small sign appended to the big one: "On this site will be the new home of the Methodist Board of Temperance, Prohibition and Public Morals." And therein lies a tale, having to do with the Chesterfield ad at the far end of the billboard. Which seems to have caused some embarrassment for the temperance board, who owned this property and was profiting from the advertisement for the "weed," despite tobacco being one of the vices it aimed to stamp out. After all that research I still don't know who Wamsley was. National Photo Company glass negative. View full size. The Methodist BuildingThe Methodist Building, 100 Maryland Avenue NE This prominent Capitol Hill location, across the street from the Supreme Court, was built by the Methodist Board of Temperance, Prohibition and Public Morals in 1923. The message was clear: the Methodists wanted to remind Congress and the courts that Prohibition was the law of the land. The board disbanded in the 1950s, and the building is now home to the United Methodist General Board of Church and Society. http://www.prohibitionhangover.com/temptour.html Board of Temperance, Prohibition and Public MoralsI bet they threw quite a housewarming party when the building went up. Ice water, sheet cake and who knows what else. Friends of the "Weed"This corner, First and Maryland N.E., is still occupied by the Methodist Church. It's a funny little triangular block on Capitol Hill which survives as private property despite the expansion/encroachment of Federal buildings (Library of Congress, Supreme Court, Congressional office buildings.) Washington Post, Feb 22, 1920 Cigarette Poster on Methodest Sign But Board of Temperance and Morals Will Not Break Contract. The board of temperance, morals, and prohibition of the Methodist Episcopal Church has not placed its stamp of approval on tobacco in any form, and yet a sign board bearing the advertisement of a popular brand of cigarette graces the lot owned by the board at First street and Maryland avenue northeast. The company having this posting privilege, it is said, pays the board an annual rental for it. And all of this leads friends of the "weed" to charge that in a roundabout way these enemies of cigarettes are receiving and income from an advertisement of them. In explaining what must be an embarrassing position for the board, the Rev. Clarence True Wilson, general secretary, said that when the board purchased the property, which is just opposite the Capitol grounds, it also took over a contract for the former property owner which already was in force with the billboard people. This was necessary, he said, in order to obtain the property, which is to be the site of the board's headquarters. However the contract expires soon and Dr. Wilson declared that the cigarette advertisement would then come down. Despite the fact that the board has disclaimed any intention of asking for a constitutional amendment prohibiting tobacco, before-mentioned friends of the "weed" are positive that the board is carrying on a campaign of nation-wide propaganda against the "nicotine evil." View Larger Map Seen it beforeWhile I was growing up, we had a lot of Mormon farmers in our area who had strict rules about no smoking. Funny thing was they also grew tobacco. The Quality Goes In Before the Fender Goes OnThose crafty folks from Elgin left a sample fender with their advertisement, so you can examine the quality construction firsthand. Across town at the future site of the American Distillers Association, you'll find a similar billboard with accessory steering wheel and headlamp. Behind this billboardis a motorcycle cop. None of that fancy radar for those guys. (The Gallery, Cars, Trucks, Buses, D.C., Natl Photo)
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