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New York, 1918. "Lewisohn Building, 119 W. 40th Street. Maynicke & Franke, architects." Dwarfed by its newer neighbors 101 years after its completion, this 22-story, 325-foot tower still stands. Irving Underhill photo. View full size.
I've seen lots of blurred people and vehicles on Shorpy before but this is unusual. I think the Photographer caught this car in the act of parallel parking.
[Two different cars; note, for example, the position of the license plate. -tterrace]
You're right, I noticed that after I posted. He must have just been stopped momentarily for the car to show up so clearly.
You can make out strange-looking statues by the windows on the fourth and fifth floors. Kevin of Forgotten NY calls them gnomes, while to Nick of Scouting NY they are philosophers. I'll be diplomatic and not make a choice.
Scouting NY is definitely right about that block of West 40th, however; despite being in a very busy area the block's strangely quiet, almost like a backwater.
[As explained on the page linked to in the caption, the figures are allegories representing Thrift, Learning, Industry, Exploration, etc. -Dave]
Imagine heaving a bowling ball out the window 20 floors up and landing it on next door's roof. Would probably go all the way through to the basement.
Underhill's beautiful lettering and that row of low retail and residential buildings. Outstanding!
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