70s MANHATTAN

by Kevin Walsh

From a poster depicting 1970s Manhattan by Tony Graham. There was actually a quiz that came along with it, asking for several obscure locales, such as the Little Statue of Liberty, once on a  rooftop on West 64th near Broadway but now relocated to the Brooklyn Museum parking lot.

I really should research all of it and do a series of posts. Practically nothing shown on the poster remains as is.

8/16/13

27 comments

D. August 17, 2013 - 12:09 am

Oddly, while the old banks (so many!) elicit a small smile, the two Zum Zums say ’70s, and I only ate in one once.

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PJ Cochran August 17, 2013 - 3:01 am

I had one of these in my bedroom as a boy — and I lived nowhere near NYC then. I memorized it. I would kill to get copies of these Tony Graham posters today. Fedora still had one in the vestibule of her bar in Greenwich Village until a few years ago, but when she went, it went.

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john chino August 19, 2013 - 12:47 pm

I have a framed copy that was given to me years ago. I have it hanging now in my laundry room. Look at it weekly and always brings asmile to my face. Is in glass so it is mint condition. Good stuff!

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E October 12, 2013 - 12:21 am

I have a great print.Manhatten scape 1980

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Gloria December 2, 2013 - 4:59 pm

If you are still looking to get hold of one of the original 1970’s posters, I am selling one. Please let me know if you are interested?

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Gloria December 2, 2013 - 5:01 pm

I should add – it is framed in glass and ready to hang…. in excellent condition.

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Kasey April 11, 2015 - 11:24 am

I am interested in it, if you’re still selling.

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Jackie July 17, 2015 - 10:21 pm

I have one. Would you like to buy It?

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cat August 31, 2015 - 11:49 am

Hi, I have one from my childhood home.
My friend is interested, How much are you selling it for?
Thank you!
Cat

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Deb December 19, 2017 - 6:49 pm

I have a Manhattan by Tony Graham lithograph measures 24″ by 32″ has a few rips from outside edges about 1″ to 2″ long but could be repaired! Anyone interested? Want to sell!

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Deb December 19, 2017 - 6:50 pm

I have one, just bought out a Antique store in Watertown, SD and found one in a box with a few rips in outer edges.Want to buy it?

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Tonya Earley November 8, 2018 - 1:36 pm

Hello pj cochran, i happened to come across your post online when i was looking up information on my tony graham nyc posters. I have 2 original, professionally framed artworks by tony graham. One is actually signed by tony graham!! I think the one that is signed is very rare!? I can not find one like it online. It is a blank canvas of nyc Manhattan (meaning,it has no color just black and white print) the signature and print number are signed in pencil. Ill have to look but, it looks like only a couple hundred were ever made!! I am very interested in finding out more about this piece!? If your still interested in purchasing these or want to see pictures please email me tonyaearley58@gmail.com have a nice day hope to hear from you soon Tonya E.

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chris August 17, 2013 - 5:27 am

I miss Zum Zum! Depicted twice.

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Marc August 17, 2013 - 6:39 am

It was on the rooftop of a storage company right off of Central Park (and not too far from Peter Max’s studio. 70’s NY was INCREDIBLE — then it became NY, INC.

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Jeff August 17, 2013 - 3:03 pm

I think they had this by the door at Big Nick’s.

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Tal Barzilai August 17, 2013 - 9:53 pm

Looking at that image with the Twin Towers standing tall in it still makes me wonder why they just weren’t rebuilt instead of what’s being planned over at the WTC site.

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Eric Jablow August 18, 2013 - 9:16 pm

Perhaps you should do a piece on the Ruckus Manhattan art installation by Red Grooms.

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RM August 19, 2013 - 11:45 am

I just noticed the Fantasticks, geez that goes way back. Wow – Orange Julius, Brentanos, Woolworths, Kleins, frickin MAYS, Village Gate, AZUMA, Balduccis!!! this is depressing.

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RM August 19, 2013 - 11:51 am

one more comment, please. Look at that map up there, now look at the city now. It’s all frickin banks. Two to three on every block in the village. The city lost its soul, how do we get it back?

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john chino August 19, 2013 - 12:44 pm

As an ex New Yorker living in California I keep this framed poster in my house and look at it with fond memories.

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John P. Simonetti August 21, 2013 - 2:32 pm

Looks like Tony Graham was pretty prolific; he did quite a few “New York” type posters:

http://www.rogallery.com/Graham_Tony/graham-gallery.html

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Tim McDermott May 10, 2015 - 12:08 am

Hi John, just came across this site and your comment. Tony Graham was my Uncle, not only did he do a lot of these type of posters for New York and he was often commissioned by cities across the country to do the same thing for their city, but his greatest successes were with the ones of New York, probably because of his love for the city. I am fortunate to have many of his works and never get tired of looking at them. Thanks for your kind comment.

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cat August 31, 2015 - 11:54 am

Hi Tim
My Dad bought the Manhattan!!! back when it was first done in the 70s I believe
It hung on our living room wall forever! I now have it, and my oldest son who is 30 always wanted it, so I got him 1 from ebay.
He loves it and it is so nostalgic for all of us , Your Uncle was so gifted and you can feel the love he had for NY!

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Janet December 21, 2015 - 5:00 pm

Brooklyn kid now living in SF Bay Area. Bought the Manhattan print and framed it back in the early 80s. People always comment on it. Daughter (and niece) wants one and was wondering where I bought it and looked it up online. Almost fell over when she told me how much prints are now! Hope to enjoy it for many more years.

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Andrew S September 18, 2019 - 8:10 pm

Tim, I have a black and white original – signed in pencil. No.3/200. Wondering how many of these your uncle actually made. Message me at asc87@mac.com

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Melissa Hinton January 7, 2014 - 12:11 pm

Yesterday I posted on eBay a tony graham mural of New York City. It is in excellent condition. Check it out if interested

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Michel April 2, 2017 - 9:14 pm

I have a print of Manhattan!! hanging in my hall. I love it and am so happy to look at it every day. My good friend was moving out of state and I saw it at his house & asked if I could have it. It had belonged to his elderly mother but he had no attachment to it whatsoever.

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