Monday, July 12, 2010

Madison Square, New York

Here we are at Broadway and 5th at Madison Square in New York City.  The 5th Avenue Hotel, shown on the left on both cards, had one of the world's first elevators. The cards are both prior to 1907. The first one is from 1906, since the company only printed cards in 1906 and 1907, and a 1907 card  would have had a back divided into two sections for address and message.
The 5th Avenue Hotel, built in 1859 at 200 Fifth Avenue, was demolished in 1908. The site is currently occupied by the Toy Center Building, built in 1909.

On the second card, you can still see the Fifth Ave. Hotel on the left, but you can also see the tower from Madison Square Garden off on the right. Madison Square Garden was designed by Stanford White, who was also murdered there in 1906, about the time this postcard was published. White was murdered by millionaire, Harry Kendall Thaw, over White's affair with Thaw's actress wife Evelyn Nesbitt.

Here are the backs of the cards in the same order as above:

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8 comments:

  1. Jenny Lou WhoJuly 12, 2010 at 6:15 AM

    I am in love with the first reverse picture. You don't see stars and swirls like that very often! Keep up the good work!

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  2. Paul CJuly 12, 2010 at 6:36 AM

    I like the information provided of the transportation: the streetcars and horse and buggy.

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  3. papel1July 12, 2010 at 8:15 AM

    Great information. I know if that elevator still works in the 5th Ave Hotel I would not be on it!
    Judy

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  4. Our Porch in HillsboroughJuly 12, 2010 at 1:25 PM

    I'm with Jenny Lou - the reverse design is lovely - I'd like to substitute my name for the words post card (same font, of course).

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  5. Christine H.July 12, 2010 at 7:05 PM

    Judy, you definitely would not have wanted to ride that elevator. It was powered by steam and had a revolving screw that went through the middle of the passenger cab. Imagine getting your dress caught on that!

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  6. Alan BurnettJuly 13, 2010 at 1:25 AM

    Nobody does that combination of postcard and history better Christine. Nobody.

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  7. Christine H.July 13, 2010 at 9:06 AM

    Oh, Alan -you are so sweet. Good thing you can't see me blushing. Thanks so much.

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  8. AnonymousJuly 14, 2010 at 9:56 PM

    She really is blushing Alan, I can see her- your support and comments are truly appreciated!

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