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New York circa 1914. "Fifth Avenue at 42nd Street." Lions of the New York Public Library at right. 5x7 inch dry plate glass negative. View full size.
Fortitude is the one closest to the camera and Patience is the most distant. It appears the photographer could have used more of the later in setting up the shot, as even the stationary buildings in the center of the image are a bit fuzzy, not what we've become used to with vintage 5x7s (it's Dave's fault, he's spoiled us).
So even back then, Fifth avenue was festooned with American flags. If we were to go to the same intersection today, we would see pedestrians laden with messenger bags, backpacks, etc. Yet, the people in this photograph are almost all either empty-handed or carrying only a small handbag or parcel. People got by with much less of everything.
In photo traffic is heading north. Today, traffic on 5th Ave. moves south.
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