Help me Date this NYC Photo

drumz0rz · #1 Posted **Aug 29, 2014, 3:56 AM**

Hi,

I was hoping someone here could share some expertise and help me date this photo I received. It's a framed print taken from what I believe to be Governor's Island looking at lower Manhattan. I don't want to open the frame up and check for any dates on the print.

I'm thinking it was taken in 1927. There is no 40 Wall St, which was completed in 1930, but it looks like 15 Broad Street is there and, if you look closely, it looks like there are a few small derricks on the top which would indicate construction was just finishing up, so maybe 1927-28 (Equitable Trust Building was completed in 1928).

Any thoughts?

Yackemflaber69 · #2 Posted **Aug 29, 2014, 4:49 AM**

yea i think 1927 is about right

ue · #3 Posted **Aug 29, 2014, 5:56 PM**

Meh, I'd skip dating the photo and just marry it. She seems like a cool photo, so why not, right?

drumz0rz · #4 Posted **Aug 29, 2014, 7:47 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ue

Meh, I'd skip dating the photo and just marry it. She seems like a cool photo, so why not, right?

I don't know, she's from the high of prohibition, I think she may have mob ties. I don't mess with crazy like that.

the urban politician · #5 Posted **Aug 29, 2014, 9:43 PM**

This photo was taken on September 13, 1927

drumz0rz · #6 Posted **Aug 30, 2014, 12:05 AM**

Lol, I can't tell if you're being serious or not. That'd be awesome if I could figure out an exact date like that. Care to explain?

Guiltyspark · #7 Posted **Aug 31, 2014, 7:11 PM**

Maybe take it out for a nice dinner and a movie? Guardians of the Galaxy was good. Just remember to ask a lot of questions and not spend the whole evening taking about yourself.

Perklol · #8 Posted **Aug 31, 2014, 8:42 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by drumz0rz

Lol, I can't tell if you're being serious or not. That'd be awesome if I could figure out an exact date like that. Care to explain?

Ignore the bitter troll

OptimumPx · #9 Posted **Sep 1, 2014, 7:30 PM**

I would say 1927/28 is a close guess. In this picture of Lower Manhattan from that year the skyline looks almost identical to what you can see in your picture.

http://manhattanlifeinsurancebuildin...1_archive.html

drumz0rz · #10 Posted **Sep 2, 2014, 3:12 PM**

Very cool find OptimumPX! The photo you reference is said to have been taken in 1927. In that photo, 15 Broad appears nearly complete, without any scaffolding or derricks, as my photo has. The trees in battery park also look to be barren, so definitely a winter photo.

The photo below is claimed to be from July of that same year, and shows 15 broad well under construction.

In my photo leaves are clearly present on the trees in the foreground so it can't be too late in the year. The Urban Politician may have just been trolling, but his 9/13 date might not actually be too far off.