I already mentioned the antiquarian bookshop of Mr. Steinberg and the massive choice of books. I just came back to the shop yesterday and was happy to find a cheap copy of the illustrated book “New York Underground” by Veretta Cobler. A book I personally didnt know until yesterday…

Synopsis: “Tragedy came to the Big Apple long before 9/11 with the arrival of a new four-letter word called AIDS that terrorized an entire generation of New Yorkers. It threw the world’s freest, most cosmopolitan and culturally advanced city back into a medieval mindset of fear. Photographer, Veretta welcomes us back to the last days of a self-confident city that is always ready to party in effusively decorated nightspots.

She shows a generation that sang and danced in garish attire through the carefree days that opened up after the Vietnam War, unaware of sordid doings underway that would radically alter their mindset. This book bears witness to the last days of an era before an entire generation of New Yorkers discovered the grief, mourning and despair that comes with the loss of loved ones. Throughout these pages, there is still music, fun and laughter in vibrant garb. Everyone could live it up in the certainty it would last forever.”

If you havent seen some pics out of this great book, check the scans below. Please notice, my scanner was to small for that format, so you will see just parts of the single pics… 250 pages full of such images are a great documentation of the notorious nightlife in New York between 1970 and 1980.






Link: Veretta Cobler
Link: Antiquariat Steinberg
Link: Buy the book @ amazon

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