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Tag: Vintage images


Sep
2013

Vintage Photos of New York City-In all it’s Splendor

categories: travel, vintage images

On Thursday I will be heading to NYC for the weekend with my husband for a big German event called the “Steuben Parade” that we happen to be participates in. It’s going to be an amazing experience and I cannot wait and I also cannot wait to go back to one of my favorite cities in the world, NYC. I love this city so very much and every time I set foot in it, I feel like I’m at home.

So while I pack for the city that never sleeps I thought I would share some cool vintage photos I found online of NYC. Enjoy!

Vintage Photos of New York City

1940’s vintage photo of a New York City Street in 1941.

1940s vintage photo of a New York City street in 1941.

As a Lindy Hopper I love this picture “Dancing Girls in Harlem 1938”.

1930s vintage photo of Black dancing girls in harlem NY in 1938.

Penn Station 1940’s. How romantic is this hello or goodbye? I think it’s a Goodbye.

1940s vintage photo of a couple kissing in Penn Station during WW2. He is a soldier and she is dressed 1940s fashions.

1940s vintage photo of a stylish woman walking down a NYC street in 1940s clothing. Love the look of the girl on the side with that Snood? Fantastic!

Since the weather just may be somewhat nice this weekend, I think I could totally pull this off…if I had the clothes that is:)

1940s vintage photo of a stylish woman walking down a NYC street in 1940s clothing

A pretty young woman in the 1940s sitting on the famous stoops of New York. Isn’t she gorgeous??

What movie star is this? Let me know in the comments section below. ANSWER: Lizabeth Scott

1940s vintage photo of a 1940s woman sitting on the steps of a home in New York City in a plaid 1940s two piece suit.

I love everything about this photo-1950s vintage photo of women waiting to go into a photobooth.

Further Reading: Vintage Photos of people in The Photo Booth

1950s vintage photo of women in 1950s fashions (1950s dress, 1940s skirts and 1950s tops) waiting to go into a photo booth in New York City.

The Famous Cotton Club.

Vintage photo of the Cotton Club in New York City

The Famous Savoy Ballroom (I have been to the plaque that now stands where the hall once stood, see the next image).

Vintage Photo of the Savoy Ballroom Sign in Harlem, NYC.
The Savoy Ballroom Harlem Plaque, NYC

Time Square 1938.

1930s vintage photo of Times Square in 1938.

“Skycrapers of New York City” vintage postcard. I adore Art Deco architecture and New York City has plenty of it.

Art Deco of New York vintage postcard

Lastly I will leave you with one of my favorite musicals and scenes from that musical “On the Town – New York, New York”.

Have you ever been to New York City? Share your favourite places to visit, in the comments section below.

Thanks for dropping by!

Liz


Aug
2013

Canadian National Exhibition is Here! The Vintage Edition

categories: Toronto, vintage History, vintage images
1920s Vintage Photo of Toronto's CNE Princes' Gates.
Princes’ Gates 1920s

I have been living in Toronto now for almost 14 years and one of the events I have grown to absolutely LOVE is the CNE-Canadian National Exhibition. The CNE is basically a giant fair that runs for 18 days near the end of the summer and it’s known for its great shows, crazy food (anyone for a bacon, donut burger??), rides and all the cools things to see..bring on the Sham Wow guy! lol

The first Canadian National Exhibition took place in 1879, largely to promote agriculture and technology in Canada. Agriculturists, engineers and scientists exhibited their discoveries and inventions at the CNE to showcase the work and talent of the nation (Wikipedia). Apparently, prior to 1879, the fair had traveled throughout the province, but eventually settled where the crowds were after local stakeholders campaigned to make it a permanent city attraction (blogto.com).

That means that this year the CNE is celebrating its 135th season this year so I thought it would be fun if we checked out some vintage photos, advertising etc. of this historical event. So grab a bag of chocolate covered parmesan popcorn and lets take a trip down CNE memory lane…

1930s vintage ad for the Toronto CNE - 1937 Ad
Image courtesy of the CNE Archives
1940s Vintage Ad for the CNE in 1947. Go by the TTC

The Canadian National Exhibition-CNE

To start, I’m doing a blog series on the wonderful book “Lets Dance. A celebration of dance halls and summer dance pavilions by Peter Young” and one of the sections briefly covers the “CNE TENT” that was erected in 1938 to bring in top-notch entertainers. Acts like: Benny Goodman with Peggy Lee, Artie Shaw, Guy Lombardo and even the Tommy Dorsey Band made their way to this tent.

In Peters book he even mentions a story how in September 8th of 1939 the Tommy Dorsey band flew to Toronto on the American Airlines flagship craft to appear at the CNE. This was the FIRST time the entire band travelled by air so they marked the occasion by playing a few tunes right at the airport (“Lets Dance..”, pg 23, Peter Young).

1940s Vintage Photo of the Toronto CNE dance tent

The image above was from 1940 and you can see the dance tent in the background where apparently Eddy Duchin and his Orchestra were performing that very night (“take a ride back in history” by Mike Filey).

Then while scouring the internet for fun images/stories to share I stumbled upon the most AMAZING FIND! Did you know that the CNE created their own high-kicking dance troupe version of the Rockettes? The Canadettes and they made annual appearances from 1951 until 1967 at the CNE. How fun!

1960s Vintage Photo of The Canadettes, circa 1961 at the Toronto CNE
The Canadettes, circa 1961. CNE Archives, Alexandra Studio Collection.

Now for the random vintage CNE pictures I promised you…

Two adorable kids enjoying a coke break in 1959 at the CNE with their feet in a pail (must of been hot).

1950s Vintage Photo of 2 kids in 1959 at the Toronto CNE with feet in a pail having a cold drink.
Photo Courtesy of “CNE Facebook Page”

A cooking demo at the CNE in the 1940s.

CNE 1940 cooking demo in Toronto, Canada. 1940s vintage photo.
Photo Courtesy of: CNE Facebook Page

CNE-1937. I LOVE this photo! The couple in the front that stand out in the picture are just outstanding looking.

1930s vintage photo in 1937 of the Toronto CNE crowd photo. Super 1930s fashions on display.
Photo Courtesy of: CNE Facebook Page

CNE-1961. I’m enjoying eyeballing some of the great fashion in this over head shot of the midway.

1960s vintage photo of the Toronto CNE Midway grounds in 1961,.
Photo Courtesy of: CNE Facebook Page

Want to learn how to take care of your baby in 1918?

1910s vintage photo of a woman teaching people how to take care of their baby in 1918 at the Toronto CNE
Image courtesy of the CNE Archives

I will now leave you with a picture from my engagement photo session that was done at the CNE.

CNE Engagement photo Toronto Vintage Inn

Photo Courtesy of David Tom Photography

If you live in Toronto and are attending the CNE or have attended the CNE I would love to hear your stories of your favorite things to do there.

FURTHER READING: A collection of past CNE posts I have done and a link to my Toronto archive posts….

Liz 🙂