Roaming Boro Park, Brooklyn, I came upon this lively blend of residential and commercial life.
[3717 Fort Hamilton Parkway, c. 1939–1941. From the NYC Municipal Archives Collections. Click for a much larger view.]
As with these Fort Hamilton addresses, it appears that a storefront and residential entrance were added to an existing house. Imagine being able to step from your residence for candy, soda, stationery, and cigars. (Don’t worry, Elaine — I’m not getting any ideas, about smoking or about remodeling.)
Next to 3717, on the southeast corner of Fort Hamilton and 38th Street, stood a gas station with battery and lubrication services. Today Google Maps shows 3717 with a pull-down steel door over what was (and still is?) a storefront. Lion Transmission and Parkway Collision sit next door — no gas.
What knocks me out about this photograph: Donald Duck. He’s advertising Nu-Blue Sunoco gasoline. Why a duck? Why not a mouse? Well, Mickey Mouse was also hired, though every link to an image of Mickey’s signage turns out to be defunct. Donald’s wall today sports a stylized flag of Mexico and a lion in profile. A larger lion looks down from a second-story wall.
In a fine testament to American capitalism, many of the brand names appearing in this photograph are with us in 2022. How many names can you spot? I see eight in addition to Sunoco, seven of which are legible. I’ve put my answers in the comments. Click for the larger view for a better look at everything, including the gumball machines.
Related reading
More OCA posts with photographs from the NYC Municipal Archives
[The building to the left, as seen in another photograph, houses Willam Rabus Plumbing & Heating.]
Sunday, October 16, 2022
Why a duck?
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Left to right and top to bottom: Bell Telephone, Meadow Gold (still in your grocer’s freezer), something illegible (in a stylized cursive?), Coca-Cola, 7 Up, Chesterfield (still around, as a filter cigarette), Hoffman (Quality Beverages), Quaker State.
here's the name
https://bplonsite.newspapers.com/image/52819861/?terms=buttacavoli%203717&match=1
(saw a pepsi sign too)
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dont forget 3801 ft hamilton -- 5290-35
I can’t see it — was the owner’s name Buttacavoli? I saw the defunct tile place on my “walk.”
I thought “Pepsi,” but the little signs at the top seem way too small. Am I missing something else?
Now I see it. On the phone, it’s unavailable. On the computer, there it is: J. Buttacavoli.
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