Happy PFF: Manhattan bridges

Manhattan, back in the days when postcard views of buildings and bridges were the thing to send back home.  Here are the Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Williamsburg bridges over the East River.

School has started for me again and I am pretty busy, so just a short post today.  I'll be joining Bev for a special Pink Saturday tomorrow, so please come back and check that out.
Happy Postcard Friendship Friday!

Viridian

Belmont Plaza postcard

The Belmont Plaza, Lexington Avenue at 49th street, New York.

From the back: "Located in the heart of the Grand Central Zone, the World's Greatest Business, Shopping, Residential District.  800 outside rooms, each with bath, shower and radio.

Single from $3.00, Double, twin beds, from $5.00"

Can you believe those prices?  This card is postmarked July 17 1939 and is addressed to Mr. Joe Bauch of Akron Ohio.  It reads: "We arrived in Jersy [sic] City 9:30 our time & at the Hotel 10:30 our time. we are on the 4th floor, everything is fine."  I can't read the signature.

The Belmont Plaza is now the W hotel, in a cluster of hotels in this area, including the Waldorf Astoria, Radisson, and Intercontinental.

viridian

PFF: Guess who?

A sweet postcard from Brooklyn NY to Violet in Long Island, 1930. There is a story here for sure! I hope it had a happy ending.

New York City, 1930 and PFF

To: Mathews & Taylor, 505 8 th Ave. New York.
Image of St. Francis of Assisi Church, Diamond Jubilee Souvenir.
Postmarked Nov. 8, 1930.

“My Dear Friends: many many thanks for the lovly [sic] donation for our large bread line. We had today 1644 in the morning and 1500 in the afternoon. Respectfully, Brother Gabriel”

This postcard is from Brother Gabriel Mehler, founder of the breadline in 1929.
St. Francis of Assisi Church is at 135-141 West 31st Street, between 7 th and Ave. of the Americas, half a block from Madison Square Garden and Penn Station.

November 1930. It’s been about a year since the 1929 stock market crash. It was in early 1930 that then-President Hoover said “Prosperity is just around the corner.” These are the days of apple-sellers on the streets of New York. And the priests and brothers of St. Francis of Assisi, serving an unimaginable number of people, each day.

From the breadline’s webpage: “The Breadline reassures poor men and women that no matter how bad life gets, we will be there to help them start their day with a meal and a kind word -. every day for as long as it takes them to get back on their feet. Every morning at 7 a.m. we head out onto the sidewalk in front of Saint Francis of Assisi Church to greet about 200 people who line up for a cup of coffee and a couple of sandwiches. Within just a few minutes they disappear into the crowds of commuters rushing by. We don't know where they go, but we know they will be back, and we will be there waiting for them.”

“The Breadline is needed today more than ever, and that is where you can help. For just $15, you can feed a hungry person for an entire week. For $75, you can feed five people for a week. That's a pretty significant accomplishment, and it's something we don't take for granted. We will use whatever you can give us to ease the suffering of those who seek our help.”

This is a view into the past that moves my heart. Consider contributing to the breadline; I did.

viridian

Peek into old New York

Postcard addressed to Miss Ethel Conklin, Freeport, Long Island, New York. Dated 12-29-1908.

"Having a swell old time. The Majestic last night & the Orpheum tonight. Harry" (in fountain pen)

What a party boy! Is this addressed to his sister or his maiden aunt? The Majestic Harry refers to is the old Majestic at Broadway and 59th, at Columbus Circle. (I just love Google - and I love the dedicated people who keep up web pages about every topic imaginable.)

Even better: John Kenrick has a web site where he has compiled the book musicals that have played Broadway over the years (I think this means not vaudeville shows). So I can tell you that Harry probably went to see "The Pied Piper", which opened December 3 that year. Probably wearing tails or at least a tuxedo.

I can find less information about the Orpheum. The current Orpheum is on Second Ave. (STOMP is playing there now) but I can't easily find info on its history. Maybe this is where Harry was going.

Party on, dudes!

PS. The days when you could send a postcard to Freeport with just the recipient's name are long over - Freeport is now a huge suburb on Long Island.

Viridian