In March 1970, a traveler now living in Rotterdam paid a visit to New York City.
Jaap Breedveld was in his 40s at the time. Like many tourists, he took photos that reflect the typical itinerary of a sightseer from overseas, like Times Square (above, with the old Howard Johnson’s at 46th Street on the left).
But Breedveld also captured images of New Yorkers at work, like this pretzel vendor on an unknown street, above. (Were pretzel carts really so low-key in 1970?)
During a foray into Chinatown, Breedveld immortalized these two men slicing fish on a barrel.
His photos also reflect a changed cityscape. In this image above, the Chrysler Building dominates the skyline, as it does today.
But Roosevelt Island—in 1970, still officially Welfare Island—has yet to be developed into a residential enclave, and the tramway wouldn’t start operating until 1976.
Midnight Cowboy fans will recognize the lovely Beaux-Arts building on the left in this image of Times Square.
It’s the Hotel Claridge, where Joe Buck gets a room after he arrives in New York. Opened in 1911 as luxury accommodations, the old hotel was torn down in 1972 to make way for an office building.
This photo appears to be taken from Battery Park and looks toward State Street; that must be the Elizabeth Ann Seton shrine and James Watson House in the center.
Today, the shrine and 18th century house are surrounded by boxy towers, one of which is going up in the photo.
This breathtaking view of Lower Manhattan contains no Twin Towers, and no Battery Park City. Both would be on maps by the end of the decade.
[Breedveld shared these previously unpublished images with Ephemeral New York. Special thanks to Peter van Wijk. ©Jaap Breedveld]
Ephemeral New York 