Witness to the Lillipution is like our blog with less words and more photos, poetry, or music.
St. Paul, Minnesota, circa 1908. “Wabasha Street.” The early 20th century was a golden age of signcraft. Gilded wooden letters and 24K gold leaf window treatments were standard. Several classic lettering manuals were published during this time, with graphic styles influenced by Victorian ornament and the Art Nouveau movement. To an ex-sign painter (a profession killed by the computer, alas), Wabasha Street is a candy store. This is how I imagine it looked, a chilly morning in St. Paul one hundred years ago. Keen-eyed Shorpians may notice a couple of small modifications to the original photograph. View full size.
New York circa 1908. “Cafe Martin, Fifth Avenue and East 26th.”
8x10 inch dry plate glass negative, Detroit Publishing Company.
New York circa 1908. “Brooklyn Bridge.”
- Detroit Publishing Company.
Herald Square, New York City (click image to enlarge & zoom)
This is what life was like the last time the Chicago Cubs were World Champions.
— New York circa 1908. “Herald Square.” Panorama composed of two 8x10 inch glass negatives, digitally merged, showing Broadway at 34th Street. Landmarks include the the New York Herald newspaper building (with its clockwork blacksmith bell-ringers and electrified owls), Sixth Avenue elevated tracks, New York Times building and Hotel Astor. Detroit Publishing Co.
