c1930s RPPC Lower Manhattan Skyline New York City Carl Woellner Photo For Sale

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c1930s RPPC Lower Manhattan Skyline New York City Carl Woellner Photo:
$3.99

Vintage circa-1930s real photo postcard presenting a sweeping harbor view of the Lower Manhattan skyline in New York City.

The photograph looks north across the waterfront and Battery Park toward the skyscrapers of the Financial District. The skyline includes several important early skyscrapers associated with Manhattan’s dramatic building boom of the late 1920s and early 1930s, including 40 Wall Street and the Cities Service Building at 70 Pine Street.

Completed in 1930, 40 Wall Street briefly held the title of tallest building in the world before the Chrysler Building surpassed it. The Art Deco Cities Service Building at 70 Pine Street was completed in 1932 and remained one of Lower Manhattan’s most recognizable skyscrapers. Their presence helps date the original photograph to no earlier than approximately 1932.

Battery Park and the lower waterfront extend across the foreground, with piers, trees and smaller park structures visible along the shoreline. The relatively unobstructed harbor perspective captures Lower Manhattan before the extensive postwar redevelopment of the waterfront.

The reverse has an AGFA ANSCO real-photo postcard back. AGFA and Ansco operated under the combined Agfa-Ansco name beginning in the late 1920s, further supporting an approximate 1930s date.

An oval photographer’s credit on the reverse appears to read:

“Photo by Carl Woellner, N.Y. World”

The “N.Y. World” reference may connect the image to the New York World newspaper or an associated photographic operation. The surname is somewhat faint and is presented as the most likely reading of the stamp.

The postcard was never mailed and has no address or written message. An attractive period photographic view for collectors of early New York City architecture, Lower Manhattan history, Art Deco skyscrapers and original real photo postcards.

CONDITION

Good vintage condition on the photographic side, with age toning, light surface wear, scattered small spots and scratches, softened corners and minor edge wear. The lower-right corner has a small crease or bend with slight surface disruption. There are a few minor imperfections in the sky area, but the skyline remains clear and displays well.

The reverse has substantial orange-brown ink impressions or staining, including several rounded or shell-shaped impressions and elongated transfer marks across the center. There are also several small dark abrasions or areas of surface loss, particularly near the stamp box and lower-left portion. The photographer’s oval credit stamp is partially visible. The card is unused, without postage, postal cancellation, address or correspondence. Please examine both scans carefully for the complete condition.

ITEM SPECIFICS