Discover New York, 1943: A Guide for the Men and Women of the Armed Forces (Old House Projects) - Softcover

Helen, Worden

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1908402652 ISBN 13: 9781908402653

Publisher: Old House Books, 2013

Synopsis

Republished on its 70th anniversary, this authentic facsimile edition of 1943's 'Discover New York' is a fascinating guided tour of the Golden Age of New York City. This was the Big Apple of service members' movie dreams, from glamorous, legendary nightclubs like The Stork Club and El Morocco to glitzy art deco penthouse apartments and shopping expeditions on pushcarts to Woolworth and Lord & Taylor. Each tour includes instructions on how to get around town, what sights to see and lists of places where service members would receive VIP treatment. Nostalgic advertisements bring each chapter alive with handsome artwork and lavish descriptions of the products (and prices!) of bygone days. This special publication is a warm salute to the men and women of the Greatest Generation and the city that embraced, thrilled and entertained them during World War II.

About this title

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Excerpt from Discover New York, 1943

New York at last count had 1275 night clubs. Their development is fairly recent. Sometime between 1919, the year the Volstead Act was passed, and 1933, the year of repeal, night clubs were born. They were the outgrowth of speakeasies.

The Stork Club is unique. Sherman Billingsley got the idea for the decorations from the polychromatic bow on a customer's hat. In the main dining room, where music is continuous from five in the afternoon until closing at four a.m., mirrors interspersed with gray walls point up the shocking-pink drapes and lemon-yellow ceiling.

Mr. Billingsley, at the outbreak of the war, started tea dancing to make sure that men on furlough could enjoy every moment of their leave. Luncheon and dinner are à la carte; the average supper check for two would be $15.00.

Edition details

• Publisher: Old House Books
• Publication date: 2013
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1908402652
• ISBN 13: 9781908402653
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 128