- Chatham Barber Shop, New York
Sheet: 13 11/16 × 10 3/4 in. (34.8 × 27.3 cm)
Explore Further
Godfrey Frankel joined the Photo League shortly after moving to New
York City in 1946 to study social work. Like many League members, Frankel
frequently photographed the diverse and densely populated Lower East Side.
Chatham Barber Shop offers rich details about the business and neighborhood at
large. This combination barbershop and tattoo parlor hosts a rich collection of
signs, signaling a clientele of both English and Chinese speakers, and the graphic
“BLACK EYE SPECIALIST” in the left of the image indicates that they could help
reduce the appearance of black eyes—a useful service for more unruly clients.
Provenance[Howard Greenberg Gallery, New York]; purchased by MFAH, 1992.
Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks
Inscribed in pencil, verso, top center: Godfrey Frankel [signed] // Chatham Barber Shop // New York 1947 // Gelatin Silver Print on // Polyfiber Paper
Cataloguing data may change with further research.
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