MID 1920s GERMAN MAN (MUSICIAN?) IMMIGRATES TO NYC PHOTO ALBUM

Item #837

This 7.25” x 11.5” photo album starts in the fall of 1923, as this unidentified German immigrant makes his way to NYC. Inside, there are about 180 snapshots, mostly measuring 3.25” x 4.5” showing street scenes, beach views and friends and family in NYC and Brooklyn with a later trip to Missouri, Iowa and Michigan. The album is well annotated in both English and German. It appears that the man that put this album together was a musician or worked in the theater. There are photos of men playing the cello, violin and piano, and theatres shown include the Strand, Palace, Astor, American Theatre, Shubert and one captioned “das orchester auf dem Cache des Summer Theatre.” Some names mentioned include Arthur Thomas, Curt Shoen and Sam Goldstein. There are several first names listed as well, which include Paula, which I believe was his wife. Typical of the gay 1920s, is one photo of Paula with the caption “Paula with first hair bob.”

Places shown include Time Square, Prospect Park, Brooklyn Museum, Canal Street, City Hall, Union Arch in Brooklyn, Coney Island, Brighton Beach, St. Louis, Mississippi River, Forest Park Zoo, Atlantic Beach, NY, etc.

The front cover is hanging on by a thread and most of the pages are detached and have edge wear. Three photos are missing, otherwise this lovely album needs some TLC, but is worthy of being preserved. See New York and the Midwest through the eyes of a German (Jewish?) immigrant in the 1920s.

Price: $350.00