Regular readers may know that I am a great enthusiast of the Big Apple.  The images I have for you today are taken from the 1939 publication New York City Guide. The book was one of many published by the Federal Writers Project; a U.S. government initiative established by Predident Roosevelt in 1935 with the aim of funding written work and supporting writers during the Great Depression. The main idea of the project was employment with over 6000 writers, photographers, researchers, historians, cartographers, artists and so on found work in this difficult period. Around 400 volumes were produced the most well known of which were the American Guide Series which encompassed every U.S. state and also many major cities, including this New York guide. Some commentators have also suggested that the project had additional purpose with the government seeking to take greater control of the countrys cultural heritage and using the projects publications as a method of reawakening patriotism and national pride in a period of depression.

I have seen a number of Federal Writers Project publications and they really are magnificent pieces of work. I particularly like this New York guide not only as I am such a big fan of the city but also as I think the city lends itself particularly, to spectacular imagry and photography.

Enjoy!

Aside these magnificent photographs, the book also features a number of charming illustrations of the city by various artists. I particularly like these by Louis Lozowick – would make a great set of prints.

If you are a subscriber I will be sending you a link to download a pdf of the original 828 page book. If you would like to receive free gifts like this from me in the future please enter your name and e-mail address in the box at the top of this page to subscribe.