Of course, I have in my possession a manual depicting the over 200 varieties of lampposts found on NYC streets before 1936, when it was written. Most of these lamppost varieties — which have a flair and a panache that none of the new varieties beginning to appear around town can approach — have gone the way of the stegosaur and the glyptodon.
But there are exceptions, and a pair of Type 30 specials still stand at Central Park West and West 64th street, illuminating a sitting area overlooking the park. I suppose it’d just be too difficult to remove them, so the city lets them be.
There’s plenty of lamppost history around town — you have to know where to look.
11/8/13