The 1950s New York City Like Never Seen Before in Anthony Angel’s Remarkable Photographs

The 1950s in New York City was a time of remarkable transformation and vivid cultural expression. The city, a bustling metropolis, was a melting pot of ideas, people, and events, all of which presented a unique canvas for photographers. Capturing the essence of New York during this era required an eye for detail, a sense of timing, and an ability to see the extraordinary in the ordinary.

The 1950s also saw photographers capturing New York City’s iconic landmarks in new and interesting ways. The Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, and the newly completed United Nations Headquarters were popular subjects. Each photograph of these landmarks tells a story, not just of the structures themselves but of the era and its people.

Here are some fascinating photos of New York City in the 1950s by Anthony Angel.

#1 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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#2 Atlas sculpture in Rockefeller Center, July 1954

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

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#4 Women riding on the subway, 1958

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

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

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

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#8 Times Square street scene, May or June 1952

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#9 Building exterior, looking up, January 1953

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#10 Grand Central sculpt of light, 1953

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#11 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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#12 Woman reading inside newsstand, November 1953

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

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#14 Cat sitting on top of boxes, 1955

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

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

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#17 Woman hanging clothes on the line, November 1956

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

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#19 Food vendor grabbing roasted chestnuts, November 1957

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#20 Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, October 1957

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

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#22 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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#23 View of woman standing in alleyway, full-length portrait, from behind, June 1957

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#24 Woman with shoulder covering and lace collar, 1957

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

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

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

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

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

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#30 Cat on sidewalk, May 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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