This postcard depicts the Prudential Building in Atlanta, designed by T.H. Morgan of Bruce & Morgan and completed in 1899.
[Neal?] wrote on the front: “Around all Atl. Having a big time. Leave for S.S. Thursday. Best wishes to all.”
I, for one, welcome the death of cursive writing.
Published by the Orr Stationery Co. of Atlanta, the card was postmarked in College Park, Georgia, on July 16, 1907, and addressed to Miss Pearl Woodcliff in Flowery Branch, Georgia.
Is it a relic sign or a fine example of Art Deco architecture? The answer is both.
I admired this swanky old Manhattan storefront for years on my walks to and from Moynihan Train Hall, but for some reason, I only recently thought to take a picture of it.
It was easy to find the opening-day newspaper advertisements for the A.S. Beck shoe store, but I’ve yet to determine the designer. Whoever it was, they did a swell job.
This postcard depicts the Christian Science Church in Atlanta, designed by G.L. Norrman and completed in 1899.
Written on the front is the following note:
“May 14, ’07
Am addressing this Sacramento for fear you have not received your Yosemite mail. Beautiful weather here. I am fine + dandy. Business is on the move.”
Published by the Witt Brothers of Atlanta and printed in Germany, the card was postmarked in Atlanta on May 14, 1907, and addressed to Miss Grace B. Smith at Box 165 Davis Ave, Sacramento California R.F.D. #2 International Hotel, Yosemite Cal., and received in Yosemite, California, on May 25, 1907.
Got all that?
This postcard depicts the Manor Inn at Albermarle Park in Asheville, North Carolina, designed by Bradford L. Gilbert and completed in 1898.
Published by the Southern Post Card Co. of Asheville, the card was postmarked in Asheville on April 9, 1921, and addressed to Mrs. H.V.M. Dennis of 81 E. Main Street in Freehold, New Jersey.
Printed on the back is the following description:
The Manor, Asheville, N.C.
In the “Land Of The Sky.”The Manor, an exclusive Inn, is located in a park of thirty-six acres and has its private club house, with tennis, bowling and billiards within the park. It is operated by The Albermarle Park Company of Asheville which also owns Albermarle Park and about fifteen cottages within the Park. These can be leased and furnished for housekeeping.
Also written on the back is the following note:
“Fri. Eve.
Had a very pleasant day – all of us feeling much better. You would hardly know Mary [Sr.?]”
I can see where a Mary Sr. might be unrecognizable.
This postcard depicts the Citizens Bank in Savannah, Georgia, designed by G.L. Norrman and completed in 1896.
Published by the Souvenir Post Card Co. of New York and printed in Germany, the card was postmarked in Savannah on February 9, 1912, and addressed to Mrs. Chas. E. Simond of 316 E. Monroe Street in Jacksonville, Florida.
Written on the back is the following note from Mrs. Mac:
“I am having a good time. We are on the [?] most of the time. I got use of the [?] at the party yesterday. It is much warmer but I nearly froze last week. [?] love
tofrom you. Will be home next week.”
You get the gist of that, right?
This swanky old sign is a true relic of South Philly, which is changing as rapidly as any other neighborhood these days.
Owned and operated by the Muzi family, Philip’s Restaurant was licensed for business at this location in 1940,1 although later advertisements claimed it opened in 1938.2
The blue portion of the sign likely dates to 1940, but I suspect the “Cocktail Lounge” segment was added later.
Originally built as a residence, the 3-story brownstone structure that housed the restaurant previously served as the Circolo Italiano clubhouse for at least 20 years.3 4
Philip’s touted itself as “Serving the finest in Italian cuisine”, and the interior photograph shown below is from a postcard published circa 1960, based on a note from the back that adds the restaurant had been in “The same location for 20 years.”
Philip’s closed in 2001, and the building has apparently been unoccupied since 2018.5 The sign remains untouched.
