bars

flic.kr/p/2kc3h5G

The text on the back of the Mitchell Library copy of this photo - is considered to be in error. "The bar of Theatre Royal Melbourne about 1865". The State Library record here is in conflict on the issue - giving the location as both the Theatre Royal - and Crystal Bar. It can't be both ! Theatre Heritage Australia via Dr Mimi Colligan has researched the photo - and concludes that it is the Crystal Bar at Cremorne Gardens - and State Library has amended their record to "Crystal Bar at Cremorne Gardens, Richmond, Victoria, ca. 1860". The whole story here: www.theatreheritage.org.au/on-stage-magazine/general-arti...

Thanks Lins - have updated here.

this is the description of the bar in the 1858 Argus - We are almost sorry to be compelled to speak of the bar in terms of higher praise than those we have used regarding any other part of the gardens, but certes it is one of the handsomest places of the kind which we have ever witnessed. An air of coolness and increased spaciousness has been given it by the erection of a wall of plate-glass in the rear of the counter. At the top of the mirrors and at the back of pendant crystals are the jets of light which illuminate the place. Statues and flower vases and pictures are deposited wherever there is a chance of their heightening the general effect. Altogether, as an exhibition of taste devoted to a special purpose, we imagine the bar may challenge competition with anything of the kind in either hemisphere. In our own country this style of drinking temple is rarely attempted. It is in America where they are found in the greatest perfection, and we must therefore leave it to our trans-Atlantic brethren to decide upon the comparative merits of this Bacchanalian resort. CREMORNE GARDENS. (1858, November 16). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 5. Retrieved December 9, 2020, from nla.gov.au/nla.news-article7304641 and another much later description Coppin's Cremorne (1933, April 8). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 6. Retrieved December 9, 2020, from nla.gov.au/nla.news-article4728609

Fantastic picture

Great photo!   It looks like a smiling member of New York's Finest is reflected in the mirror.

Pixel Wrangler Either that or a bus driver. Great photo!

Galilla S   It's a policeman - there's another photo taken by the same photographer, Marjory Collins a few doors down on Mulberry Street a few days later in a grocery store with a policeman in it, and the hat badge (#11129) is the same design.

It's possible it's the same policeman -- the features look very similar albeit he's wearing glasses in one photograph and not in the other.

The grocery store photo is part of the same series in the FSA/OWI Collection of The Library of Congress as the above photograph and hasn't yet made its way to the flickr stream.

New York, New York. Italian-American policeman chatting with customers in a grocery store on Mulberry Street

Marjory Collins (1912-1985), photographer • January, 1943

Happy New Year!   This is Bartolomeo Dicostanzo with his wife Jennie Dicostanzo sharing a toast to the New Year 1943 from behind the bar at their restaurant, Marconi's at 114-116 Mulberry Street in the heart of the "Little Italy" section of New York City.

The DiCostanzo family consisted of at least 7 children, Frank, Luca, Pasquale, Anna, Mary (age 30 at the time of this photo), Tacy, and Rosie. [ 1 ]   No doubt their extended family numbered into high double digits.   They celebrated an annual tradition of a New Year's Eve dinner at their restaurant.

There are several other photographs of the dinner, as well as the chef, in the same series photographed by Marjory Collins in the FSA/OWI Collection of The Library of Congress that haven't yet made their way to the flickr stream.

Here's a photo of two of the daughters that night, along with a photo showing the DiCostanzo family enjoying their annual New Year's Eve Dinner.

Two of the Di Costanzo girls at their New Year's family party.

Marjory Collins (1912-1985), photographer • December 31 1942

The Di Costanzo family, owners of a restaurant on Mulberry Street, hold their annual family dinner in the restaurant on New Year's Eve.

Marjory Collins (1912-1985), photographer • December 31 1942

Pixel Wrangler Do You Know Where the Di Costanzo's family are Coming From?

This is a great shot: relatively rare to get this good a glimpse of a drum kit from this period. This fellow had a relatively elaborate setup. See my notes on the photo.

Cool...

Wonderful shot, Samm Bennett! Are those your notes above?

None other, lauramorlandrhodes ! But, um... was that a sarcastic comment? I mean, the comments are *signed* and all, so I reckon it's obvious. I'm confused...

At any rate, this fellow made it into my Vintage Drum Kits page, which will be of interest to any old drum fans... www.polarityrecords.com/vintage-drum-kits-1920s-and-30s.html