Astor Place Vintage Enhanced
I was so happy when my editor told me I’d get to include some photographs in ASTOR PLACE VINTAGE. I immediately began to go through months and months of images I’d accumulated on my computer hard drive from the Library of Congress and other sources.
These photos had been a huge source of inspiration throughout the writing of my novel. They’d also been a huge distraction that undoubtedly slowed down my progress. I was constantly burning out my eyeballs staring into my computer screen at public domain photographs from the turn of the century. I’d click away on one picture after another, unable to tear myself away, get to my writing, or bed, or even the refrigerator.
After winnowing down my choices, I presented my editor with about fifty photos.
She gently broke it to me that I would have to limit myself to about a dozen.
Despite my disappointment, I knew she was right.
After all, ASTOR PLACE VINTAGE is a novel, and the job of the novel writer is to create a reality through prose and narrative, not supply it “ready-made” with period photographs.
But now that the novel is out, there’s no reason I can’t post lots and lots of photos and illustrations here that conjure up the world of ASTOR PLACE VINTAGE. So that’s just what I plan to do, from time to time, when I’m unable to get to my writing, or bed, or even the refrigerator…
Astor Place in 1892
Astor Place present day
Siegel Cooper Department Store on Sixth Avenue and 17th Street when it opened in 1896
In front of Siegel-Cooper department store on opening day 1896
Sheet Music Counter in Siegel Cooper
Olive liked going to Child’s Restaurant
De Robertis in the East Village a few weeks ago
He was just walking by, but his T-shirt seems relevant to my book. “Time and Relative Dimension in Space” Though I’m not exactly sure what that means.
The entrance. Just beyond the door you can smell the anise.
Beautiful tiles on the wall.
The seating area in back. I don’t think it was much different when Olive went there in 1907.
Photograph of De Robertis when it was also Caffe Pugliese
Caffe Pugliese/John De Robertis 1932
The photograph of the waiters that Amanda sees on the wall of De Robertis.
