Even More MISCELLANY

Another collection of items that aren't interesting enough to deserve their own post, but certainly are amusing.  

  

Tudor City Recreation Co. was its official name, but to the passerby on the street it was simply known as the Bowling Alley. As seen in the photo below, it was located in part of the future site of the Pfizer Building. The matchbook is from the collection of our good friend, David Reiff.

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IN BADMINTON CHAMPIONSHIP

Harry Conlan, left, of New York,and George Harris, also of New York, are two of the competitors in the Eastern New York Badminton Championships at the Tudor City Courts, New York, Feb. 12th.

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An ad for the Tudor City Coffee House that ran in 1939 in Tudor City View, the community monthly. Why it ran on the diagonal is anyone's guess.

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Finally, a photograph made after a good day fishing by our founder and his son, Theodore. From the French biography, A Vigorous Life: The Story of Fred F. French, Builder of Skyscrapers.

Early Advertising

Some samples of early advertising for Tudor City, all of which ran in the first year of the enclave's opening.   

The poor commuter faces 1,500,000 like-minded souls daily at Grand Central Station. The answer to this problem is, of course, Prospect Tower and The Manor, which "will be ready for occupancy in September."

The poor old coal shovel was but one of many things left behind in the trip to the more upscale side of life in Tudor City, where apartment living was a dream to aspire to.

Two examples of an ad campaign making a case for how a day can be two hours longer for 8 private secretaries and 15 salesmen.

This ad reads upscale ‒ "green trees, shadowed lawns, splashing fountains" ‒ undercut with a hint of snob appeal. 

We close with this twist on the famed Maxwell House Coffee slogan, "good to the last drop." In the updated version, toast choked down with gulped coffee are signs of someone who "never has time for 'the last drop.'" Move to Tudor City, for Pete's sake.

Further reading on the subject here and here.

The Other Side of Tudor City

Several posts ago, we ran a story about a photo of the back side of No. 45. Then we discovered even more pictures. . .

No. 25 and No. 45, seen in a riverside view. Made in 1929.

This version, taken around the same time, reveals the line of buildings ‒ all dedicated to the meatpacking business ‒ along the western side of First Avenue. These would be demolished as part of the neighborhood upgrades for the United Nations, and replaced by vest-pocket parks. 

And finally, a look at the completed trio, Nos. 5, 25 and 45, on a foggy day in 1934. 

More United Nations

Once again, we return to the building of the United Nations for our subject matter. Today's pictures were made just as the Secretariat Building opened, around 1950.  

This is the new view along 43rd Street between 1st and 2nd Avenues. The building on the right is the rear entrance for the Hospital for the Ruptured and Crippled; the site later became the Ford Foundation.

The corner of 43rd Street and Tudor City Place. 

The remaining photos rely on a rather daffy sense of humor. NOW OPEN DAILY (above) is one such entry.

Another entry, BUILDING FOR LEASE gets its laughs from a reflection of the Secretariat Building in a shop across the street.  

The aptly named World Cafeteria, anxiously awaiting the United Nations opening.

Artifact: HOTEL TUDOR Letter, 1940

The artifact of the day is this letter, sent by Hotel Tudor to a man who requested rate information. 

It's addressed to Lloyd Gillett of Tampa, Florida, and postmarked June 26, 1940.

 

In the enclosed letter, Mr. Gillett got the usual gracious response. It even showed some flair in the fanciful signature of its manager, Robert C. Agard.

Included is a rate card with daily rates ranging from $2 to $8. Also notes that breakfast is from 25 cents, luncheon from 50 cents, and dinner from 70 cents.  

A self-addressed complimentary envelope is included.

PUDDLEGRAMS

These puddlegrams ‒ simple pictures of puddles ‒ come to us via faithful reader Garth Justice. Thanks, Garth.

No. 45

The Woodstock

 

No. 25

The Manor

No. 45, and the sign. Instagrammed by shanghaisacha.

MISCELLANY Forever

Once again, it's time for some fun as some items of miscellany are discussed.

A view of No. 45 and its sign, circa 1965. Also notable for the sign of Crimmins Construction, the firm that was building the Ford Foundation.

 

No, the landscaping in the parks hasn't been enhanced. This is the Hotel Everglades in Miami, Florida, a recent acquisition of the French Company.

A rare view of sunbathing on No. 45's rooftop. A closer look at the chairs (below) reveals them to be French Company property. 

A photo of the building at 8 Prospect Place. As you recall, this was the holdout that prevented developing the site, finally bought by the French Company and opened as No. 2 in 1956. This rare view of the building suggests it was set on a country lane, but in fact it was directly opposite No. 5.

There's more about 8 Prospect Place here.