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July 1918. "Italian Festa." Street festival in New York's Little Italy. 5x7 glass negative, George Grantham Bain Collection. View full size | Even bigger.
Based on some of the women's clothing and hats and hemlines, it looks more like the photo was taken in 1917 or 1918.
[You know your clothes! A little digging shows that this photo was taken in July 1918, not 1912. Caption amended. - Dave]
I have colorized this great picture.
As noted previously, this is a view of Fifth Avenue toward 42nd Street from in front of the New York Public Library. Below is the same perspective from April of 2010. Fortunately, the clown is gone.
Creepy clown. Yes, I did see him. Sorry, I don't care for clowns. As if you couldn't tell. Great photo though. So much to see.
Anyone notice the woman in traditional dress up front? What do you think guys, somewhere in Abruzzo?
The setting of this photo is not "Little Italy" but rather 5th Avenue and 42nd Street, in front of the New York Public Library. At the top of the picture, just left of center, one can see the Temple Emmanu-El at 43rd Street.
This pic made me smile; my parents were born in Italy and I wish the festivals in NYC were still like this. I can't stand going to them now-- they have deep-fried OREOS now, people!! Yes, they're good, but when I go to visit my Nonna in Italy, she definitely doesn't serve me Oreos.
oh and btw, Gelato = heaven on earth!!
It makes me proud to be Italian, I wish we had things like this nowadays, now every festival has turned into the same carnival with the same foods and venues. I do not need any more sand art, or to ride "The Scrambler." Gelati though? Yes, Please!
By the way, I love the "Even Bigger" Option, I felt like I was falling right into the photo. Thanks so much for that!
[You're very welcome. Did anyone see the clown at the far right? Pagliacci!]
I remember seeing a scene something like this in the Godfather trilogy on a flashback when the godfather played by Marlon Brando first came to the US as a young man.
I wonder what the band was playing in front of the tent on the right.
This is exactly the way I'd like to spend an afternoon.
"How do I get to the Susquehanna Hat Company?"
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