Anatomy of a PERCY LOOMIS SPERR Photo

This edition of our Anatomy of a Photo series deals with a 1929 picture made by Percy Loomis Sperr, above. Let's take a look, close up.

The real star of the photo is No. 25, in this unusual southern exposure taken from First Avenue. Atop the building is a weathervane, one of the signatures of the buildings of Prospect Place. It toppled over at some point and was never replaced.

Moving down, the sign reads This property will be developed under THE FRENCH PLAN as a part of TUDOR CITY / Fred F. French Companies 250 Madison Avenue. The property, No. 5, was one of the last built. Directly above the sign is a temporary home for tools and such for the upcoming construction.

Just north of the sign, we come across the Socony gas station. Too bad the posters displayed ‒ between the two Socony signs ‒ are unreadable.    

The view north, featuring No. 45 towering over it all. The period Mast-Arm lamp post is a nice touch.

Finally, Prospect Tower brings up the rear, along with its long-gone weathervane.