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Food

Flashback: How New York City Ate In 1938


By

Jen Carlson

Published Feb 13, 2012

Modified Feb 13, 2012


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R & L Lunch.

 

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By

Jen Carlson

Published Feb 13, 2012

Modified Feb 13, 2012


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These photos were all taken by Sol Libsohn in 1938, and now reside in a collection in the Museum of the City of New York's archives in a series titled "Food in New York." From massive lobsters at the Fulton Fish Market to live sheep on Pier 78 to the inside of the laboratory at the Health Department, click through for a little look back at how we ate 74 years ago. Sadly, the NYPL doesn't have any menus from 1938 in their ever-expanding collection of vintage menus, but you can further check out what the city looked like during that time in this video.

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Jen Carlson

Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.

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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


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