[Photographs of Muncie Island, New York, USA.]
[MUNCIE ISLAND.]

[Photographs of Muncie Island, New York, USA.]

BEAUTIFUL PHOTOGRAPHS OF A LOST NEW YORK ISLAND RESORT

Two albums of photographs. The first album contains 48 hand-coloured silver gelatin photographs of Muncie Island by Islip Photo Studios (their ticket on lower pastedown), in particular of the Muncie Island Hotel, its bungalows and activities (fishing, sailing, canoeing, etc.). Photographs all 195mm by 240mm. The second album contains approximately 250 silver gelatin photographs, various sizes, also of Muncie Island, but is more of a family vacation photo album. Both albums’ photographs mounted on album pages, with a few photographs, uncirculated postcards and brochures for Muncie Island hotels loosely inserted. Oblong folio. Similarly bound in leather, very worn. The second album with one page torn, thus lacking two photographs, and one photograph removed. New York, c, 1897.

£3,750.00

Muncie Island was once one of the most sought-after seaside summer vacation getaways for wealthy New York individuals and families. The Muncie Island Hotel, which features prominently in both photo albums, operated from 1897 to 1914. As part of an expansion project for the Ocean Highway in 1930, Muncie Island was depleted and ceased to exist.

The albums offer a particularly strong record of the architecture of this resort town, with many black and white and colourised photographs of the distinctive turn of the century beachside residences. Amongst the more personal photographs are several of costume dances, fishing and sailing, and other scenes of family leisure. There are five posed photographs of different groups of staff in white uniforms, all of whom are Black. The nearby Fire Island lighthouse also features.

From a contemporary guide: “Opposite Babylon, on Muncie Island, is the Muncie Sanitorium. Oak Island and Muncie Island are reached by boat from Babylon. Nearby are the headquarters of the jovial Wawayanda and Short Beach Clubs, each having a large membership among New York and Brooklyn business men. Accommodations are to be found on these islands for summer residents.”

The Long Island Railroad Company, Long Island 1905, (NY, 1905).

Stock No.
256230
Enquire
[Photographs of Muncie Island, New York, USA.]
[Photographs of Muncie Island, New York, USA.]
[Photographs of Muncie Island, New York, USA.]
[Photographs of Muncie Island, New York, USA.]
[Photographs of Muncie Island, New York, USA.]
[Photographs of Muncie Island, New York, USA.]
[Photographs of Muncie Island, New York, USA.]
[Photographs of Muncie Island, New York, USA.]
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