Anthony Angel’s New York: A Photographic Journey Through the 1950s Cityscape

New York City in the 1950s, a decade marked by post-war transformation and cultural evolution, was captured in all its dynamism and complexity by photographer Anthony Angel (1906-1967). With a prolific output that resulted in around 60,000 images now housed in the Library of Congress, Angel’s work serves as a comprehensive visual archive of New York City during this pivotal era.

Anthony Angel, an astute observer of urban life, spent his days documenting the streets of New York City. His passion for photography was not just a profession but a lifelong commitment to capturing the essence of the city’s ever-changing landscape. From the mundane to the magnificent, Angel’s photographs encompassed a diverse range of subjects and scenes.

Angel’s photographs stand out for their focus on street scenes. These images capture the everyday life of New Yorkers, from bustling marketplaces to serene moments in public parks. Apart from street scenes, Angel had an eye for New York City’s architectural grandeur. His collection includes stunning views of iconic buildings, historic sites, and burgeoning construction sites, chronicling the city’s architectural evolution.

#1 Times Square street scene, May or June 1952

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#2 Woman with umbrella walking across New York City street, January 1956

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#3 Woman reading newspaper while seated beside building columns, January 27, 1950

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#4 Building exterior, looking up, January 1953

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#5 Grand Central sculpt of light, 1953

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#6 Marble lions sculptures located on steps of the main branch of the New York Public Library on 5th Avenue, Manhattan, New York City, 1953

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#7 Woman reading inside newsstand, November 1953

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#8 Atlas sculpture in Rockefeller Center, July 1954

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#9 Man looking towards the Statue of Liberty, August 1954

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#10 Woman being photographed in the rain on a street corner, 1954

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#11 Cat sitting on top of boxes, 1955

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#12 Couple sitting on a bench in New York City, September 1956

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#13 Italian Kitchen storefront, New York City, September 1956

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#14 Woman hanging clothes on the line, November 1956

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#15 Woman holding a home movie camera while walking on New York City sidewalk, 1956

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#16 Food vendor grabbing roasted chestnuts, November 1957

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#17 Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, October 1957

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#18 View of man and woman on motorized scooter, A&M Super Market in back, September 1957

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#19 View of two nuns next to map of the United States with route markers and lights, suitcases on ground, November 1957

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#20 View of woman standing in alleyway, full-length portrait, from behind, June 1957

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#21 Woman with shoulder covering and lace collar, 1957

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#22 Cat sitting on car with skyscrapers in the distance, October 1958

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#23 Nun sitting in front of a store window, August 1958

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#24 Woman sitting on luggage in Grand Central Terminal, September 1958

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#25 Women riding on the subway, 1958

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#26 Young girl swinging outside of Go Sing Coffee Shop, September 1958

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#27 African American young people sharing a laugh while riding the subway, February 1959

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#28 Bird’s-eye view of 5th Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, 1959

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#29 Cat on sidewalk, May 1959

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#30 Detail view of upper portion of the Empire State Building seen through an ornate street lamp (foreground), Manhattan, New York City, New York, July 1959

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#31 Little girl walking on sidewalk cellar hatch doors looking warily at the photographer, March 1959

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#32 Park Avenue between 96th-97th Street – detail view of gated traffic median with people seated on benches, train tracks in background, October 1959

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#33 Unidentified woman exiting a taxi in New York City, June 1959

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#34 Woman at cash register viewed through diner show window with buildings reflected, February 1959

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#35 Woman, head-and-shoulders portrait, profile view, facing right and looking down, April 1959

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