New York Public Library, New York City, circa 1936

Subjects: Libraries Street Scenes Town & City Views
Card type: Linen
Date: c. 1930 (White Border)

Back of New York Public Library, New York City, circa 1936, c. 1930 linen postcard — Back

About this postcard

The card shows the main branch of the New York Public Library on Fifth Avenue at 42nd Street, its long classical facade with columned portico and green copper roof seen from across a busy street filled with pedestrians, automobiles and a green double-decker bus. The Beaux-Arts building, designed by Carrère and Hastings, opened in 1911 and is guarded by the marble lions later nicknamed Patience and Fortitude. Behind and beside it rise the tall commercial buildings of midtown Manhattan, including a dark tower with a gilded upper storey.

Postcard Details

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PublisherCurt Teich & Co.

PUBLIC LIBRARY, NEW YORK CITY COPYRIGHT BY IRVING UNDERHILL, INC., N. Y. 33 3A-H1294 --- PUBLIC LIBRARY, NEW YORK Public Library located on 5th Avenue and 42nd Street. Covers two entire city blocks, is built entirely of marble and cost nine million dollars. Opened for public use May 23, 1911, and contains over two million volumes and is said to be the most complete library in the country. THE UNION NEWS CO. GENUINE CURTEICH-CHICAGO "C.T. ART-COLORTONE" POST CARD (REG. U.S. PAT. OFF.) POST CARD PLACE ONE CENT STAMP HERE UNICO

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Postcard record

Publisher	Curt Teich & Co.
Series	3A-H1294
Condition	Very good
Place depicted	New York Public Library, New York, NY, New York, NY
Place mentioned	New York Public Library, New York, NY
Publisher	Curt Teich & Co., Chicago, IL
Notes	Linen-textured stock with a yellow border; Curt Teich production number 3A-H1294 and plate number 33 printed in the margins. No postmark — unused card. Divided back, linen-textured stock, Curt Teich "C.T. Art-Colortone" imprint (1930s–40s); front carries a cream border and "COPYRIGHT BY IRVING UNDERHILL, INC., N.Y." with no year. Clean, no damage.

Cite this card

New York Public Library, New York City, circa 1936, postcard, c. 1930. PostalPast Collection. https://postalpast.com/postcard/new-york-public-library-new-york-city-circa-1936. Accessed October 25, 2026.