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Arts & Entertainment

Tourist Shares Awesome Old-School Photos Of 1980s NYC

By

Jen Carlson

Published Apr 1, 2014

Modified Apr 2, 2014

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"‘Scuse me, while you’re standin’ there… here’s 5 ways not to get mugged," the poster reads. Wright points out, "Only three examples are left on the poster, the other two have been ripped off by vandals!"

 

Photo by Paul Wright

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By

Jen Carlson

Published Apr 1, 2014

Modified Apr 2, 2014

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In the 1980s, Paul Wright came over to NYC from the UK. He says, with a good deal of insight:

"I first visited Manhattan in 1982 when parts of the city looked semi-derelict. It was edgy and sometimes dangerous, but the city also had a character that has been buried by property developers and chain stores. Hanging out in Greenwich Village record stores, braving the subway, not making eye contact with anyone and watching movies at St. Marks Cinema are all in the past. But great cities like New York and London never stand still for long, they are constantly changing."

Wright has shared some of his 1980s photo with us, which were taken in 1982 and 1983.

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1980s

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paul wright

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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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