The Unbearable Banishment: random nyc pic

Thursday, April 16, 2009

This awning stretches out over a Park Avenue sidewalk and is attached to the Waldorf-Astoria.

Built in 1931, The corners are accented with beautiful art deco flourishes (click-on for a closer look).

The best part of this iconic NYC logo? The words are separated by an equal sign. Genius! The Registered mark kind of spoils it.

Fun fact: Gangsters Frank Costello, Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel and Charles "Lucky" Luciano once lived in the Waldorf-Astoria.

kyknoord said...: It's good to finally be able to put a face to the name. Up until now, I've only known it from the limerick:

There was a young lady named Gloria
Who'd been had by Sir Gerald Du Maurier,
And then by six men,
Sir Gerald again,
And the band at the Waldorf-Astoria.; April 16, 2009 at 2:40 PM
Anonymous said...: god, this makes me want to wear fur and carry a cigarette holder and a yappy=dog...; April 16, 2009 at 4:27 PM
A Free Man said...: I love the deco touches, and the gangster trivia. I've been rewatching the Sopranos for the last month or so and am in a gangster state of mind.; April 17, 2009 at 1:43 AM
The Unbearable Banishment said...: KY: Thanks for the lyric! That's a distant cousin to a Man from Nantucket lyric I know.

Daisy: You'd have to be cruel to the help and I don't think you have it in you.

AFM: Tony Soprano is currently playing in a comedy on Broadway. It's a huge hit.; April 17, 2009 at 7:49 AM
Sid said...: Wow. That's all I have. It's really gorgeous.; April 17, 2009 at 10:27 AM
Ellie said...: So did my mom for some months when she studied there in the 50s. Now you've got me wondering about her past!; April 18, 2009 at 1:29 AM
The Unbearable Banishment said...: Sid: You should see it in person!

Elle: Is that true!? You mom lived at the Waldorf in the 50's!!!? Make her tell you stories and then post, please.; April 18, 2009 at 8:28 AM

The Unbearable Banishment