Sunday, July 10, 2022

The Original Photographer of 1932 Lunchtime Skyscraper Photo

Charles C. Ebbets finally getting credit for the photo below. Look at those spectator shoes and fabulous outfit. He's a real daredevil too!


Lunchtime Atop a Skyscraper when Rockefeller was under construction during 1932- until completed. Photographer was listed as "unknown" until 2003.


The original glass negative discovered by the family of Charles C. Ebbets finally giving him credit for this photo in 2003 after 70 years of being unknown. Read the whole story HERE. Enjoy and have a great Sunday. I am doing a public open house today nearby. Wish me luck. xo

14 comments:

Pam said...

I've seen the photo before, but never knew about Ebbets. I was curious and read that those workers on the beam were on the 69th floor. It just blows my mind. Ebbets looks like a dancer, doesn't he. It sure would take amazing nerve and concentration. Hope the open house goes well, Rosemary!

Lisa D. said...

I always wondered if the lunchtime photo was real or just made to look real. There must be a platform, or a part of the building, just below the place where the photo is cut off. I can't believe people would just sit atop a steel beam like that.

Anonymous said...

thank you for posting this! the picture has stayed in my mind...
all these many years! I'm glad to see the credit given.
they were ALL so brave. I still can't even imagine it.

Nancy said...

I've never seen such a well dressed and incredibly brave photographer.
He is also pretty good looking. Doesn't make it any easier to look at the lunch scene.

Content in a Cottage said...

Pam -- Be sure to look at Ebbets' daughter's website for more of his photos. I agree with you; he does look like a dancer. It really is mindblowing to learn the lunch photo was on the 69th floor. My open house was a success yesterday and two offers are coming in today. xo, Rosemary

Content in a Cottage said...

Lisa D. -- The photo wasn't staged as far as the location was concerned. It was taken on the 69th floor! Today the whole building would be wrapped in scaffolding before any work could begin. The workers in 1932 certainly had nerves of steel and their paychecks probably didn't reflect the danger they experienced on a daily basis. xo, Rosemary

Content in a Cottage said...

tammy j -- Tam, It's wonderful to see the original photographer, isn't it? I can't imagine being on that site on either side of the camera. xo, Rosemary

Content in a Cottage said...

Nancy -- Ebbets was very handsome and so well dressed for this photo shoot. That must have entertained all the men posing for their lunch break. They must have admired his bravery too and cooperated with his ideas for the newspaper photograph. xo, Rosemary

Nancy said...

The more I look at the photo the more I agree with Lisa D.'S comment. We aren't seeing the whole picture. They are too relaxed.

Lisa D. said...

Rosemary, I just received a newsletter/email from an English design company, william@rongreen.co.uk. I've no idea how I got on their email list, but their English interiors are just beautiful, and reminded me of your cottage. Please check them out. I think you will enjoy them. Happy Monday!

Content in a Cottage said...

Lisa D. -- Thanks for the link. I looked and love everything! xo, Rosemary

Content in a Cottage said...

Nancy -- These 11 men are all steel workers with nerves of steel too. I'm sure it took a while to arrange them on the beam and there must have been a lot of banter back and forth before the photo was taken to get them as relaxed as they are. The rest is history. Thanks for your comment. xo, Rosemary

The Queen Vee said...

I get vertigo just looking at these photos.

In my mind people were more considerate and behaved better in part because of how they dressed.. Ebbets looks so handsome, classy and elegant. His photos are classic, amazing and tell a great story.

Content in a Cottage said...

The Queen Vee -- Victoria, I couldn't agree more about Ebbets manner of dressing. He was on the payroll as Photographic Director for the Rockefeller Center’s development and probably didn't know what his assignment would be on any given day. He couldn't have chosen a better outfit for this photo, could he? It's wonderful he is finally being credited for his body of work. xo, Rosemary