Here we have a historic and extraordinary pair of original legal exhibit photographs capturing a raw, unfiltered snapshot of Manhattan in late 1913. When photographers were framing up New York City in the early 1900s, they weren’t usually looking for the grime and grit you see here. They were looking for something more majestic, which makes these views rarer than hens teeth. I’m the one for the grime!
Check out the handwritten notes below the original silver gelatin phots. Labeled as "Defendant's Exhibits," these were likely produced for a high-stakes legal battle during NYC's "Billboard Wars," when the city began regulating the massive advertising hoardings that dominated vacant lots. Unlike most "turn of the century" photos, these can be pinpointed to December 1913 – January 1914 due to the highly specific theatrical broadsides visible. Legal exhibits of this caliber are rarely found in the private market; most are held in permanent archives like the Museum of the City of New York.
Let’s break them down.
"The House of Bondage": A large theatrical poster for the play by Joseph Byron Totten. It features dramatic, dark typography typical of "social reform" dramas. Bottom line: Extremely Rare. As a controversial "white slavery" play, these posters were often torn down or censored. Seeing one "in the wild" on a street corner is borderline bananas.
Oasis Cigarettes: Features a Turkish-inspired motif with a man in a turban. Oasis was a popular "Turkish blend" brand during the pre-WWI Orientalism craze. Bottom line: Rare. While the brand is known, full-color outdoor broadsides of this size for Oasis are seldom documented in street photography of this clarity.
Black Jack Chewing Gum: Large block lettering for "Adams Black Jack." This was a licorice-flavored gum. Bottom line: Common subject but rare scale. Black Jack is a famous brand, but seeing a 10-foot wide version on a wooden hoarding is rare.
"The Christian": A poster for the play based on Hall Caine’s 1897 novel. It was a staple of the "Moral" theater movement. Bottom line: Scarce. This represents the "old guard" of Victorian theater still hanging on in the early 20th century.
Cigarettes: "20 for 10 cents." Features a distinctive blue and white color scheme and a Middle Eastern figure. Bottom line: High interest. Tobacco collectors highly prize Nebo imagery. This is a "billboard-sized" version of their famous trading card art.
Plexo Toilet Preparations: A massive sign for "Plexo Greaseless Enamel." It features a woman’s face and promotes "toilette" products (lotions/creams). Bottom line: Ultra-Rare. Plexo was a regional NYC brand. Original advertising for this company is much harder to find than national brands like Colgate or Palmolive.
Jack Wilson & Co.: A Vaudeville broadside for "Jack Wilson in his Impromptu Revue." Wilson was a famous Vaudeville comedian of the era. Bottom line: Museum value. Vaudeville historians actively search for photos of these touring posters. It provides a specific date and location for a performer's career.
Fatima Cigarettes: (Visible on the far edges). Turkish blend cigarettes, often marketed as the "distinguished" choice. Bottom line: Common. Fatima was one of the most heavily advertised brands in the world at this time.
"Free Public Baths": Though not a commercial ad, this is a hand-painted city sign in the background. Bottom line: Sociological Rarity. This documents NYC's progressive era efforts to provide hygiene to tenement dwellers. It adds significant value for urban historians.
Here’s a breakdown of the locations of the photos:
Photo 1: Amsterdam Ave & 140th St (West Side).
Photo 2: Bradhurst Ave & 149th St. Captured by a legal photographer rather than an artist, these images show the "real" NYC: cobblestone (Belgian Block) streets, trash cans, tenement laundry, and the gritty texture of the pre-WWI city.
The two unframed photographs are backed on a light canvas piece. The entire piece measures 9 1/2" wide and 11 1/2" tall. The photos have a light patina from age. Please see all pics as they are part of the description.
I ship FedEx to street addresses in the continental USA only (no PO Boxes please). Free shipping on this amazing piece of New York City and Manhattan history.
Wrap your head around this one: An uber rare opportunity to own a primary source document of Manhattan's commercial evolution. The gritty!
