James D. Grabow photographs and family papers
Call Number
Date
Creator
Extent
Language of Materials
Abstract
This collection consists primarily of color snapshots and a smaller number of black and white photographic prints of cultural and historical sites in New York City and upstate New York taken between 1969 and 2000s by James Grabow. Highlights include images of the Staten Island Ferry and the "Mothball Fleet" of decommissioned Navy vessels on the Hudson River. There are also a few earlier snapshots and documents related to the Liebich family of Brooklyn, which Grabow's father married into.
Scope and Contents Note
This collection primarily contains photographs of historic and cultural sites in New York City and upstate New York taken by professional photographer James D. Grabow. The majority of the images are color snapshots taken between 1969 and 2000s. There are also a smaller number of black and white photographic prints, a few of which date back to the 1960s and 1930s, the latter taken by Grabow's father. Highlights include images of the Staten Island Ferry and the "Mothball Fleet" (i.e., decommissioned Navy vessels) on the Hudson River.
The collection also holds a small number of financial receipts, certificates, and ephemera dating mostly from the early twentieth century. These relate to the Liebich family of Brooklyn, which Grabow's father married into.
Subjects
Topics
Access Restrictions
Available by advance appointment only. To schedule an appointment, contact the Print Room Librarian at printroom@nyhistory.org.
Use Restrictions
Taking images of documents from the library collections for reference purposes by using hand-held cameras and in accordance with the library's photography guidelines is encouraged. As an alternative, patrons may request up to 20 images per day from staff.
Application to use images from this collection for publication should be made in writing to: Department of Rights and Reproductions, The New-York Historical Society, 170 Central Park West, New York, NY 10024-5194, rightsandrepro@nyhistory.org. Phone: (212) 873-3400 ext. 282.
Copyrights and other proprietary rights may subsist in individuals and entities other than the New-York Historical Society, in which case the patron is responsible for securing permission from those parties. For fuller information about rights and reproductions from N-YHS visit: https://www.nyhistory.org/about/rights-reproductions
Preferred Citation Note
This collection should be cited as: James D. Grabow Photographs and Family Papers Collection, PR 317, Department of Prints, Photographs and Architectural Collections, The New-York Historical Society.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gifts of James D. Grabow, 2015-2021
About this Guide
Processing Information
The bulk of the collection was processed in 2016 by archivist Susan Kriete. Some additional material, primarily the family papers, was subsequently received from the donor and these were added to the collection and finding aid in September 2018, May 2019, and November 2021 by archivist Larry Weimer.
Repository
Series I: Color snapshots, 1969-2007, inclusive
Extent
Scope and Contents
The series includes 6x4 inch color snapshots taken by James Grabow in New York City and New York State. The specific subjects are noted in the container list.
Metropolitan Museum, 1989, 1993, inclusive
Metropolitan Museum, 1998, inclusive
Cloisters Museum
Guggenheim Museum, 1993, inclusive
Whitney Museum
Brooklyn Museum
Midtown Manhattan, Christmas, 1970s, inclusive
World Trade Center (Photographs of and from)
Circle Line Cruise, circa 1994, inclusive
Phillipse Mill and Manor House, Yonkers, NY, 2005, undated, inclusive
Kykuit, Sleepy Hollow, NY, 1998, inclusive
Lyndhurst, Tarrytown, NY, 2005, inclusive
Sunnyside, Tarrytown, NY, 1998, inclusive
Vanderbilt Mansion, Hyde Park, NY
Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt, Hyde Park, NY, 2003, inclusive
Val-Kill Cottage, Hyde Park, NY, 2003, inclusive
Sagamore Hills, Oyster Bay, NY
Montgomery Place, Red Hook, NY, 1998, inclusive
Van Cortlandt Manor, Croton-On-Hudson, NY
Clermont (Livingston Family Estate), Germantown, NY
Locust Grove (home of Samuel B. Morse), Poughkeepsie, NY
Olana (Frederick Church House), Hudson, NY, 1998, inclusive
Mills Mansion, Staatsburg, NY
Wilderstein, Rhinebeck, NY
Grant's Cottage, Wilton, NY
George Eastman House, Rochester, NY, 2002, inclusive
Corning Glass Museum, Corning, NY, 2001, inclusive
Gillinder Glass Factory, Port Jervis, NY, 2000, inclusive
Old Stone Church Museum, Schoharie, NY, 2005, inclusive
Glenn Curtiss Museum, Hammondsport, NY
Northeast Car Museum, Norwich, NY, 1999, inclusive
War Plane Museum at Elmira-Corning Airport, circa 2000, inclusive
Lighthouse along Hudson River
West Point, 1999, inclusive
Fort Delaware, Narrowsburg, NY
Fort McHenry, Lake George, NY, 2007, inclusive
Fort Ticonderoga, 2000, inclusive
Watervliet Armory, 2007, inclusive
Bennington Battlefield, Walloomsac, NY, 2004, inclusive
Stony Point Battlefield, 2001, inclusive
Roebling's Canal Bridge, Minisink Ford, NY, 2005, inclusive
Howe Caverns, near Cobbleskill, NY, 2000, inclusive
Views (12 slides) from top of World Trade Center, [1995], inclusive
Scope and Contents
Date not on slides, but referred to by donor in his transmittal letter.
Rockefeller Center at Christmas (5 slides); Bear Mountain Bridge (1); Stony Point State Park (4); repair barge for mothballed fleet (1), 1969-1970, inclusive
Series II: Black and white (gelatin silver) photographic prints, 1927-1995, inclusive
Extent
Scope and Contents
The series holds several photographs of New York City and New York State, mostly taken by James Grabow. A few from the 1920s-30s were taken by D.W. Grabow, James's father. One of these photographs is of Louise Liebich, who would become James's mother. Although the bulk are black and white prints, twelve images are color slides taken by James Grabow of views from the top of the World Trade Center in 1995. Specific topics are listed in the container list.
Small Snapshots, 1932-1970, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Two photos of Louise Liebich at the statue in front of the Brooklyn Museum (identical photos but variously dated; likely 1932); a group of women parading in E. Williston Park, L.I. (4 July 1933); the steamships Normandie and RMS Queen Mary docked on the North (Hudson) River (June 1936); Boy Scouts on bus at the 42nd Street ferry (June 1937 June); Route 97 above Port Jervis, NY (1970); South Street seaport area (1970).
Staten Island Ferry, 1968, inclusive
Boats entering Hudson River from East River, Governor's Island in Background, 1968, inclusive
Niagara Falls, 1971, inclusive
Cloisters Museum
Empire State Building and Rockefeller Center, 1970s, inclusive
Battery Park: War Memorial, View of Goethals Bridge and Statue of Liberty, 1970s, inclusive
Tire Repair Storefront, 613 Washington Avenue, Brooklyn, 1983, inclusive
Note
Store was originally owned by photographer's grandfather
Mothballed Fleet, Hudson River, circa 1970, inclusive
Separated Materials Note
An oversize photographic print of the Mothball Fleet is housed in the Maritime History Collection, PR 100, FF28.
Stony Point Lighthouse, Montauk Point Lighthouse, Old Hook Windmill (East Hampton), 1970s-1980s, inclusive
Snow photos with abandoned cars (one melted in gas station fire), 1982, inclusive
Upstate snow photos, 1969, 1982, inclusive
Series III. Family papers, 1876-1935, inclusive
Extent
Scope and Contents
The series holds a small number of documents related to the Liebich family, especially Adelaide (the donor's aunt on his mother, Louise's, side and George, Adelaide and Louise's father). The specific documents are noted in the container list.
Family Papers, 1902-1930s, inclusive
Scope and Contents
The file holds a receipted property tax bill for 613 Washington Ave, Brooklyn (1902); several receipts for mortgage payments by George Liebich on the 613 Washington property (1904-1913); a Certificate of Proficiency in Typewriting to Adelaide Liebich from Girls' Com'l High School (1922); harmonica marketing material from M. Hohner, Inc (1930s?); and a packet of Niagara Falls souvenir postcards (1934).
Brooklyn Sunday School Union, 1876
Scope and Contents
One booklet: Hymns & Music for the school's 47th anniversary on 24 May 1876, with tie-in to the centennial celebration of the U.S.
Oversize Documents, 1904-1935, inclusive
Scope and Contents
3 certificates: marriage of Gerhard Heinrich Liebich to Rebecca Katharine Vogt, both of Brooklyn (1904), baptism of Adelaide Katharine Liebich (1904), and confirmation of Adelaide Liebich at St. Luke's Evangelical Lutheran Church (1920). Group photograph of the First Get Together of the Food Sales Company Club, Hotel Park Central (4 December 1935).