Ghost signs, ghost ads & other phantoms
Weber & Heilbroner – North of Herald Square – West 35th Street, NYC – 1998
© Frank H. Jump
One of the original 24 images that exhibited at the N-Y Historical Society, August – November 1998 – Fading Ad Campaign
When I took this shot, I wanted to be above it (the sign) to show its scale. The trucks below give it some sense of proportion. I went to the building across the street which had a doorman. I told him I had an appointment with a woman on the thirteenth floor (lucky 13). The gentleman called up and when asked who made the appointment, I said the woman behind the desk. They let me go up.
When I got out of the elevator, I was greeted by the manager (a woman named Sharon) and the front desk manager (an African-American gay man who had a grin). The front desk manager said, “Am I the woman you made the appointment with?” Hand on hip. I laughed. We all had a good laugh. So Sharon asked, “So what do you really want?”
Well, I said, there is this great sign across the street that you probably see out your window. She gasped and said “It’s about time someone photographed this sign. I love that sign!” The company was some sort of garment import or manufacturing firm so Sharon had an interest in habadasher history. Sharon asked if I had eaten lunch yet. I said no. They ordered pizza and soda. As we waited for the food, Sharon cleared off her window sill and opened it up (I don’t think it had been opened in years). I hung out the window as she held me by my belt.
The building where I took the shot has recently been torn down. I shot this image of Atlantic Bank this past summer while walking with my friend, Dr. Andrew Irving.
Simoniz Revisited – Empire Blvd – Ebbets Field, Brooklyn
Simoniz- “Motorists Wise, Simonize. Protects Finish In All Weather.” West End at 70th Street
Garage- Auto Machine Works- Phone Flatbush 6727 – Modern Advertising Company
February 19, 2007 President’s Day – Empire Blvd b/w Franklin & Bedford Avenues
(The day New Jersey instituted Civil Unions for same-sex couples.)
The images below were taken on Sunday, January 27, 2008
© Frank H. Jump
Lillianette Cigars – Columbia Hall – Park Slope, Brooklyn
© Frank H. Jump
Lillianette Cigars. Mugge & Treckmann. Mfgs. Bklyn,
N.Y. Cigar box opener. 5″ long.
Nemo (18:25:39) : January 28, 2008
I think the “Columbia Hall” in the NY Times article was a different one from the one at Union St. & Fifth Ave. in Park Slope. The “Columbia Hall” with the connection to the cycling groups was over at 1239-41-43 Fulton St. The “Columbia Hall” in Park Slope housed a bowling alley and was a center for bowling enthusiasts.
The online Brooklyn Eagle at the BPL reveals at least six different “Columbia Halls” in the latter half of the 19th c… very confusing!
This was found at the Brooklyn Daily Eagle/Brooklyn Public Library Database thanks to Nemo.
