1st Ave between 43rd & 44th Sts

This week, a look at the west side of 1st Avenue between 43rd and 44th Streets, made in 1940 by a collaboration between the Works Progress Administration and the New York City Tax Department to compile a photographic record of all the buildings of the five boroughs.

We begin our investigation with the building that stands on the northwest corner of 43rd and 1st. It's still standing today, although its southern views have been limited by the addition of the Sharansky Steps.   

Now, let us take a look at the stores pictured here. On the corner is Shorgan's, a bar/cafe, as well a sign on the second floor reading Headquarters, Employees Council Union of N.Y. The next building is fronted by United Cafeteria and a butcher shop.     

The most striking building on the block belonged to Tegetmeier and Riepe Co., proudly bearing the words Motor New York Trucks above their roofline. Their business was focused on the repair and repainting of cars and trucks.   

At street level, a welter of signs regarding auto parts. Plus a familiar face on the corner of 44th street. . .

Yes, it's the unofficial Tudor Lunch Bar, discussed earlier. 

Miscellaneous Miscellany

Once again, it's time to clear the desk of some random Tudor Cityana. 

First up, a photo illustration from New York magazine about mayor-elect, Zohran Mamdani, who appears to be gazing at No. 5 and No. 25. The article dubs him the Power Breaker, which brought to mind the original Power Broker, Robert Moses. Moses is pictured, below, during the planning for the 1964-1965 New York World's Fair.

⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺

This postcard suggests having your cocktail party at the Hotel Tudor Cocktail Lounge, pictured above. The "finest of liquors and moderate prices make for happy entertaining." Makes sense to us.     

⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺

Photographer Lewis Hine's picture of a man on lunch break on the rising Empire State Building with the panoply of Manhattan behind him, including The Woodstock, extreme right.  

⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺

Fenestra Casement windows ‒ fifteen hundred of them ‒ outfitted No. 45 and prompted the manufacturer to issue this ad in the Architectural Record in December, 1928.    

Thanks to David Reiff for the ad

AD CAMPAIGN, 1940

A look at an advertising campaign from 1940 in which bachelors fed up with doing their own housework, executives worn out with tedious commuting, business couples weary of hit-and-run housekeeping, newlyweds anxious to keep within the budget, and families tired of living away from city activities all find the answer to their problems is Tudor City.

January 14, 1940

January 21, 1940

January 28, 1940

February 11, 1940

February 15, 1940

Tudor City Store

Say hello to a new shop in the colony, the appropriately named Tudor City Store, a virtual store online that never closes. And just in time ‒ Christmas is seven weeks away.

For us, the most outstanding item offered is this cap, featuring the community slogan from long ago.
 

The cap also works with more outré styling. 

A series inspired by a 1936 ad campaign. Above, as a pillow.

Tee shirts in assorted colors.   

Blown up on this shower curtain.

That's just the start of things at this new online store. Check it out here.      

Instagramable You

Welcome back to the world of Instagram and the talented people who live there.

by tudorcityvintage             

For your consideration are these freeze frames from a 2024 reel by tudorcityvintage. "Amazing party view tonight" (on the top floor of the Ford Foundation) was the caption.

by supersample12                   

by alanstreets                         

by konstantineburns       

by gettinviggy                       

The INQUIRING FOTOGRAPHER Is Back

Once again, we return to the Inquiring Fotographer, the long-running question/ answer/photograph column that ran in the Daily News. It was edited by Jimmy Jemail, from 1921 t0 1973; we are only interested in responses from Tudor Citizens.  

August 28, 1941

⸻⸻⸻

December 13, 1941

⸻⸻⸻

November 12, 1955

⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺

February 9, 1969

⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺

For further reading on the subject, see here.

More Miscellany

Another grab bag of miscellanea, do with it what you may.

 

An addition to the North Park is this new library, a celebration of technology both old (stained-glass door) and new (integrated solar lighting.) It was made and donated by Charlie Jackson; thanks to Tudor City Greens for the picture.    

The Second Avenue El is being disassembled in this 1942 photograph by Percy Loomis Sperr. Rising above it all, The Woodstock.     

The Terrace had a gimmick ‒ it was the closest bar/restaurant to the United Nations ‒ and for a time in the 50s and 60s, it hosted a happening after work scene. Its matchbook depicted both buildings.   

A photograph from 1929 rendered as a postcard. The community was not yet complete; Hotel Tudor was soon to follow in 1930, and in 1956, Tudor Gardens opened. Thanks to David Reiff for the tip.

This last photo depicts the rowhouses on 43rd Street, and there are parts of The Woodstock and The Hermitage rising above them. But the real surprise is the lamp post in the park, below, famed as the oldest piece of park furniture still standing. More about it here.