The Greatest Show on Earth

[143 Mulberry Street, Little Italy, Manhattan, c. 1939–1941. From the NYC Municipal Archives Collections. Click for a much larger view.]

Once upon a time, an empty storefront or building (look at the upper-story windows) was an invitation to advertise. By chance, I found Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey advertisments wheatpasted across a Staten Island storefront too — different starting date, presumably a different year.

The 1980s tax photograph for no. 143 shows an empty lot. Today there’s a six-story building, with an Italian restaurant, Sofia’s, at street level.

I chose this photograph not only for the advertisements. I also like the way the shadow cast by the buildings on the photographer’s side of the street comes right up to the curb.

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More photographs from the NYC Municipal Archives (Pinboard)