Friday, June 12, 2009

Times Square 1943


February 1943. "New York. Camel cigarette advertisement at Times Square." Photograph by John Vachon for the Office of War Information. Chin's Dine Dance. Hotel Lenox. Woolworths. Hotel Claridge. Arrow Shirts. Gelworth's Women's Wear. From the fabulous Shorpy.com. Have a great weekend....

13 comments:

Virginia said...

I had to enlarge this one to get my Woolworth's "fix". What a great great shot. Thought the Camel guy had blown his face off but then realized it was smoke. Love this KM.

Cyd said...

Of course people who came of age in 1915 would be dismayed and nostalgic to see these 1940s versions of times square.

Cyd said...

OMG just noticed the "Papaya" hot dog eatery... I had no idea they go back so far!!

Ken Mac said...

oh Cyd, I disagree. There is a difference between classic architecture and crass commercialism. Much of TS during this period was art deco (cafeteria) or streamlined moderne (buses). There is beauty in the scale of the TS signs, or even in the illustration of the smoker's head. Plus, in the 40s there were only a few signs in TS, now it's wall to wall, with no space left. Certain designs last the test of time, other things, like McDonald's mansard roofs, for example, are garbage and will always be garbage. There is nothing graceful there, and grace is what people like about old Times Square.

Judy said...

Wish I could have seen this NY.

Hilda said...

Of course now I don't approve of tobacco ads, but that illustration is beautiful. Love the round rear corners of the bus too.

Cyd said...

Further evidence that you are smarter-artistically than most people!

Is there a word for people who can uncannily see and register and communicate artistic observations?

Help Altadena!

Unseen India Tours said...

Hi Ken !! This is a really wonderful Image..This is the advertisement of Camel Cigarette...This is quite famous in India !Also I Have Started My Own Website And Would Like You To Have A Look At It.I Would Love To Have Your Comments On That Also.Unseen Rajasthan

Jean Spitzer said...

Fascinating, right down to the bobby socks. Love the slogan, costlier! Truth in advertising at work.

Frank said...

Today's post confirms it. Really terrific photo. I sent a comment a few days ago (from Frank at Tampa Daily Photo) and wondered if you saw it. I just wanted to make sure you knew that your work was deemed very special and deserving of the "Honest Scrap Award."


Here was part of my comment:
Because you definitely deserve it, you are the recipient of the Honest Scrap Award, coming from my blog, Tampa Daily Photo. This is a very prestigious award and you should be proud.

Please pick it up at http://tampadailyphoto.blogspot.com
[June 10, 2009]
Have a glorious day in the Big Apple and thank you for your blog.

James said...

I love it and thanks for the link.

dianasfaria.com said...

I wonder when these type of ads stopped, with the real smoke. I am sure I remember seeing them as a kid.
thanks for the great photo KM.

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