This photo comes from the NYC Municipal Archives crime photo collection via the nytimes. The Times caption reads “Set of burglar’s tools, including hat.”
History
May 10, 2012
Draplin Design Co. Field Notes Archive
By SinclairAaron Draplin, designer and manufacturer of today’s ubiquitous “Field Notes” notebooks, shows his collection of antique note books used as corporate marketing tools. Super cool. Via stpl.
May 1, 2012
Old photos of New York
By SinclairInsanely beautiful and cool early 20th century photos of New York from the NY Municipal Archives were published on The Atlantic website. Check them out.
May 1, 2012
WPA National Park posters
By SinclairRanger Doug painstakingly redrew these WPA posters from old black & white photos and hand silkscreens them in stunning color. Incredible.
September 4, 2011
Typography of Sanborn NYC maps
By SinclairDesigner Christian Annyas has a post up featuring gorgeous covers from Sanborn insurance map books.
August 28, 2011
How to make a tipi
By SinclairI thought it would be fun to someday make a tipi with my son so I went a searching on the web and found these charming illustrations by Ellsworth Jaeger from his 1945 publication, Wildwood Wisdom. Maybe someday I’ll get to it. For now, archived.
June 22, 2011
Flashback to the eve before brand became king
By SinclairI was shown this 1985 article from Time Magazine reporting hostile take over bids and forced sales of family companies. The 80s were that last dreamy last era before brand and branding exceeded product quality and customer service in corporate and consumer values. The article is an interesting glimpse into that pivotal time when it [...]
June 19, 2011
BAM: terra cotta components
By SinclairProtected by chain link fence in a section of a parking lot across the street from Brooklyn Academy of Music there are some magnificent pieces of slip-cast ornamental terra cotta lying around. They are definitely part of BAM’s facade, but whether or not they are original, on their way out or on their way [...]
June 19, 2011
Old MTA lettering
By SinclairGreat old lettering at the exit stairs for South Oxford St at the Lafayette Ave C station.
June 19, 2011
Brooklyn Technical High School
By SinclairBrooklyn Tech, as it’s known, has some great stone work on its facade, with inspiring machine age iconography. The building was built from 1930-33, at the exact time as Rockefeller Center, and its exterior iconography is of the same post-crash, WPA vintage and spirit, calling people to work hard and to excel in sciences, technology, [...]