Brilliant Luna Park at Night

Photographs of the fanciful nighttime illuminations at Luna Park, one of the two major early twentieth century amusement parks on on Coney Island, shortly after it opened in 1903. 

Library of Congress

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New York Public Library

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Library of Congress

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Shore Leave in Central Park

A couple of young sailors making the most of their time on leave-- with girls, of course. New York City, 1943, shot by Peter Stackpole for LIFE (though apparently unpublished). 

Peter Stackpole, LIFE © Time Inc.

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Peter Stackpole, LIFE © Time Inc.

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Peter Stackpole, LIFE © Time Inc.

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The Colours of Nighttime New York

The bright lights of New York City, as seen by LIFE photographer Andreas Feininger. Though they didn't come with a date, the movie marquees in some of the shots reveal it's 1945. I haven't determined if any of these ran in LIFE, but Feininger is known for the photographs of New York he took for the magazine (many of these, for instance). 

Andreas Feininger, LIFE © Time Inc.

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Andreas Feininger, LIFE © Time Inc.

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Andreas Feininger, LIFE © Time Inc.

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When You're a Jet

Photographs of West Side Story, today-- but not film stills, rather a set taken by photographer Gjon Mili at filming of the movie, during the opening and rumble scenes. So we have different views, different compositions, and some different shots entirely, all by a master photographer. 

From the LIFE archives, 1960 (the tag is 40s/50s because the original musical premièred in 1957). 

Riff leads the Jets in a dance down a New York street. Source

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The Sharks (with Jets close behind). Source

Commuter Train

The daily suburb commute, NYC, 1961, photographed by Alfred Eisenstaedt. 

From the LIFE archives. 

Running to catch the train as it pulls out. Source

Commuters at Grand Central Station. Source

Waiting for trains. Source

The Eye of the Photographer

I've raved about the photographer Alfred Eisenstaedt many a time-- he constantly blows me away with his ability to see and create amazing captures of anything, anywhere. Like, how about these photographs of newly constructed buildings for the 1939 World's Fair in New York?

From the LIFE photo archives. 

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New York Public Library

Alfred Eisenstaedt at it again, this time snapping candid shots at the New York Public Library, 1944. 

Alfred Eisenstaedt, LIFE / © Time Inc.

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Alfred Eisenstaedt, LIFE / © Time Inc.

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Alfred Eisenstaedt, LIFE / © Time Inc.

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Alfred Eisenstaedt, LIFE / © Time Inc.

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Alfred Eisenstaedt, LIFE / © Time Inc.

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Alfred Eisenstaedt, LIFE / © Time Inc.

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Alfred Eisenstaedt, LIFE / © Time Inc.

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Alfred Eisenstaedt, LIFE / © Time Inc.

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Alfred Eisenstaedt, LIFE / © Time Inc.

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Alfred Eisenstaedt, LIFE / © Time Inc.

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Alfred Eisenstaedt, LIFE / © Time Inc.

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Alfred Eisenstaedt, LIFE / © Time Inc.

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Alfred Eisenstaedt, LIFE / © Time Inc.

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Alfred Eisenstaedt, LIFE / © Time Inc.

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Alfred Eisenstaedt, LIFE / © Time Inc.

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Alfred Eisenstaedt, LIFE / © Time Inc.

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Alfred Eisenstaedt, LIFE / © Time Inc.

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Sterling Cooper

Mad Men is the best. Just the best. But, somehow, it didn't occur to me to theme a Mad Men post until... well, watching Mad Men's return tonight! So, today, a bonus post!

You remember the building Sterling Cooper was in in the first couple seasons? [if you don't-- go watch Mad Men! Now!]. Well, LIFE magazine has a series of shots of a Madison Avenue office building in 1957... that's pretty much that building. 

Do do DO do...

View of the office building. Source

People waiting for the elevator in the Madison Avenue office building. Source

Receptionist Jill Eccles on the sidewalk outside. Source

A man looking at the office building directory [for Sterling Cooper, I'm sure]. Source

The building. Source

Taking the elevator up. Source

A board room in the building. Just waiting for Don and Roger, right?? Source

The Games of New York

Sorry for the title, couldn't resist!

Kids playing on the streets of New York City, 1947. By Ralph Morse.

Hopscotch. Source

I'm not sure what version of hopscotch this is! Source

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Stickball. Source

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A boy makes a scooter from a fruit crate, rollar skate, and board. Source

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Jumping into the river. Source

A little boy chasing pigeons. Source

Playing jacks. Source

A girl balancing a seed pod on her nose. Source