Yesteryear

30 Fabulous Portraits of Fashion Model Dorothy Griffith in the Late 1950s

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Dorothy Griffith was a model and actress active during the late 1950s, remembered for her elegance and refined presence in fashion photography. Originally from North Carolina, she later moved to Europe, where she worked in Paris and Berlin.

Griffith posed for leading photographers such as F.C. Gundlach and Philippe Pottier, appearing in high-fashion shoots that highlighted the style and sophistication of the era. Her portraits often feature her in chic ensembles—silk dresses, velvet hats, and dramatic turbans—capturing the glamour of mid-century fashion.

After her modeling and acting years, Griffith transitioned into a career as a publicist in Paris, continuing to move within the world of style and culture. Take a look at these fabulous photos to see portraits of Dorothy Griffith as a fashion model in the late 1950s.

Dorothy Griffith wearing a little top hat made of black otter with gros-grain ribbon and mask-shaped voilette by Rose Valois, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1956

Dorothy Griffith in white organdy dress threaded through with black velvet ribbons by Christian Dior, photo by Joseph Grove, 1956

Dorothy Griffith wearing a purple velvet toque that is artfully crumpled by Legroux, jewelry by Scémama, mink by Mendel-Maggy Rouff, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1956

Dorothy Griffith in beautiful SAGA white mink coat by Jacques Rober, jewelry by Marcassite, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1957

Dorothy Griffith in black dotted tulle with satin trim dress by Jean Patou, photo by Sabine Weiss, 1957

Off Duty FDNY Firefighter Tim Duffy Rode His Harley Davidson Through Traffic and Chaos on 9/11 to Reach Ground Zero

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On September 11, 2001, FDNY Firefighter Tim Duffy, though off duty, raced into the heart of the chaos on his 2000 Harley-Davidson Super Glide Sport — grabbing his gear from the firehouse and riding through a dust-choked Manhattan street to reach Ground Zero. The image, taken moments after the first tower fell, freezes a surreal moment as he cuts through debris and paper in a haze of destruction.

Shortly after arriving and while helping others to safety, Duffy was buried under rubble when the North Tower collapsed. Remarkably, he survived the collapse and continued his rescue efforts despite the choking dust and chaos.

Duffy’s Harley-Davidson also survived the day. He still rides it to this day and has used it for fundraising and charitable work, including for a charity he founded called “1 Soldier, 1 Dog, 1 Team,” which pairs shelter dogs with veterans and first responders suffering from PTSD.

The story and the image of Tim Duffy on his motorcycle have been featured in various media, including at a 9/11 ceremony at the Harley-Davidson Museum, where it was highlighted as a perfect illustration of the heroic attitude of first responders.

Silvana Mangano: A Captivating Star of Italian Cinema’s Golden Age

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Silvana Mangano, one of the most captivating actresses of Italian cinema, became an enduring symbol of beauty and talent during the mid-20th century. Born 1930 in Rome, she made her screen debut in the 1949 film Il Peccato di Lola. Her striking looks and commanding presence quickly set her apart, earning her a significant place in Italian and international cinema.

Mangano’s collaboration with famed directors like Luchino Visconti and Federico Fellini established her as a central figure in Italy’s Golden Age of Cinema. Her notable roles in films such as Riso Amaro (1949), where she played a strong, complex character, helped define her career. In The Nile (1951) and Senso (1954), directed by Visconti, she captivated audiences with her ability to portray both emotional depth and sensuality. Her collaboration with other legendary actors, including Marcello Mastroianni and Vittorio Gassman, further cemented her reputation as one of the most talented actresses of her time.

Throughout her career, Mangano often played strong, independent women who captured the hearts of viewers, making her an icon of Italian neorealism and post-war cinema. Her elegance and distinctive style, both on and off-screen, made her a favorite of filmmakers and fashionistas alike.

Her legacy endures not only through her exceptional film work but also through her influence on the cultural landscape of Italian cinema, where she remains a timeless symbol of Italian glamour and sophistication. Take a look at these vintage photos to see the beauty of a young Silvana Mangano.

La Esfera: Spain’s Prestigious Illustrated Magazine in the Early 20th Century

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La Esfera was a highly influential and prestigious Spanish weekly magazine, published from 1914 to 1931. Considered one of the most important publications of its era, it was a “magazine of information and art” that set a new standard for quality and content in Spanish journalism.

The magazine covered a wide array of topics, including politics, literature, science, and society, but it was particularly distinguished by its stunning visual presentation. Each issue featured a wealth of high-quality photographs, drawings, and illustrations, making it a valuable visual record of its time. It attracted contributions from some of the most prominent writers and artists of the period, cementing its reputation as a leading cultural and intellectual force.

Today, La Esfera is regarded as a crucial historical document, providing a unique glimpse into the social, political, and artistic life of Spain during a period of significant change, spanning from the First World War to the eve of the Second Spanish Republic.

Here is a collection of beautiful covers from La Esfera, showcasing the elegance and cultural sophistication of early 20th-century Spain.

Cover of La Esfera, 1914

Cover of La Esfera, April 1914

Cover of La Esfera, January 3, 1914

Cover of La Esfera, February 13, 1915

Studio Portraits of a “Fresh-Faced” Hugh Grant Taken by John Stoddart in 1993

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John Stoddart, a well-known portrait photographer, has taken several portraits of celebrities—including Hugh Grant—often in his Chelsea studio around the early 1990s. These black and white portraits show a young-looking Grant and were taken by the renowned photographer for Popperfoto in 1993.

The 1990s were the decade that defined Hugh Grant as a global film star, establishing his quintessential persona as the charming, often bumbling, British romantic lead. His career in this period was marked by a series of critically acclaimed and commercially successful films.

Grant’s style in the 1990s was a key part of his on-screen and off-screen persona, embodying a very specific type of British “effortless elegance.” His look became a blueprint for the “charming, slightly rumpled” romantic lead.

In films like Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994) and Notting Hill (1999), Grant’s characters often wore a kind of “smart casual” uniform. This included a perfectly fitted, but often unstructured, blazer or sports jacket, paired with a soft-knit sweater or an open-collared shirt. This look was polished without being stuffy, perfectly matching his character’s charming, slightly bumbling nature.

Whether it was a suit for a wedding or formalwear for a premiere, his characters and his real-life self often sported classic British tailoring. This included crisp white shirts, well-cut trousers, and the occasional double-breasted jacket.

Perhaps as iconic as his clothing was his hair. The loosely swept-back, slightly floppy hairstyle became his signature and was widely emulated.

Hugh Grant’s 1990s style, both in film and in his personal appearances, was defined by a a sophisticated yet understated aesthetic that perfectly encapsulated the “romantic hero” he became known for.

JCPenney Stores Drop Bombshell Closing News After 32 Years

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After more than three decades of serving the local community, the JCPenney store closing at Westminster Mall has left longtime shoppers stunned. The beloved location, which first opened its doors in 1993, will shut down permanently this November, marking the end of an era for many who grew up visiting the mall. According to The […]

The post JCPenney Stores Drop Bombshell Closing News After 32 Years appeared first on DoYouRemember? – The Home of Nostalgia. Author, Ruth A

‘Sopranos’ Actor Jerry Adler Dies At 96

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Jerry Adler, the veteran actor who brought warmth and wit to television dramas, has died at the age of 96. Best remembered for his role as Hesh Rabkin on The Sopranos, Adler also earned admiration for his portrayal of Howard Lyman on The Good Wife. His passing was confirmed by family representatives, who shared that […]

The post ‘Sopranos’ Actor Jerry Adler Dies At 96 appeared first on DoYouRemember? – The Home of Nostalgia. Author, Ruth A

‘Get Smart’ Actor David Ketchum Quietly Died At 97 Earlier This Month

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Actor and writer David Ketchum, best known for his role as the undercover Agent 13 on the classic sitcom Get Smart, has passed away at the age of 97. His family confirmed that he died on August 10, leaving behind a legacy that stretched across television comedy and writing for some of the most beloved […]

The post ‘Get Smart’ Actor David Ketchum Quietly Died At 97 Earlier This Month appeared first on DoYouRemember? – The Home of Nostalgia. Author, Ruth A

Give It a Rest!

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One of a pair, this interesting piece is made of clear glass, with two bulbous ends intricately cut into delicate patterns and striations that prevent the object from rolling around the dining room table. The middle section is notched all the way around, belying its purpose.

And what is this object?

It’s a knife rest! Knife rests have graced dining room tables as far back as the 17th century and were commonplace through the early 20th century. Like the name suggests, diners would place their knives onto the knife rest to prevent soiling the tablecloth. At a time when table etiquette was paramount, placing a knife on a plate – or worse yet, the table itself – would have been a major faux pas. And so, the fashionable dinner tables of the middle and upper classes included knife rests to their table settings.

While earlier styles of the 1600s were fashioned from wood or even fragile porcelain, the Victorians preferred rests made from metals, glass, crystal, and horn. Both European and American models could have elaborate figures of people or animals, sometimes molded from metal or painted onto ceramic. Style, of course, depended on the taste and wealth of the host/hostess.

As the focus shifted from formal dining etiquette to a more casual style during the 2nd quarter of the 20th century, knife rests began to fade from fashion. One would be hard pressed to find a knife rest next to their plate at a dinner party today. The need for maintaining clean tablecloths has diminished thanks to advancements in washing efficiency and a more relaxed view on messes.

(This original article was published on Tiny Tuesdays at the Fall River Historical Society)

The Elegant 1937 Fiat 1500 Cabriolet in Photos

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The 1937 Fiat 1500 Cabriolet is a true testament to automotive innovation and style from the pre-war era. Introduced in 1935, the Fiat 1500 was a groundbreaking model for the company, earning a reputation for its blend of elegant aesthetics and advanced engineering. At a time when many cars still had a boxy, upright appearance, the Fiat 1500 stood out with its gracefully streamlined body, a shape famously designed with the aid of a wind tunnel to improve aerodynamics.

The Cabriolet version, in particular, was a work of art. While Fiat manufactured the standard sedans, the more exclusive cabriolet bodies were often crafted by renowned independent coachbuilders like Viotti and Ghia. This practice meant that each example could have unique design elements, from the precise curve of the fenders to the slope of the distinctive radiator grille. These custom touches contributed to the car’s rarity and its enduring appeal as a piece of classic Italian design.

Beyond its stylish exterior, the Fiat 1500 was also technologically advanced for its time. It was powered by a 1.5-liter, inline six-cylinder engine that produced a solid 45 horsepower. This engine, paired with a four-speed manual transmission, allowed the car to reach a respectable top speed of around 70 mph (113 km/h). More importantly, the 1500 was one of the first Fiat models to feature an independent front suspension, which provided a more comfortable and stable ride compared to its contemporaries.

Today, the 1937 Fiat 1500 Cabriolet is celebrated by automotive enthusiasts and collectors worldwide. Its combination of a wind-tunnel-optimized body, custom coachwork, and sophisticated engineering marks it as a significant vehicle in automotive history. It’s not just a car, it’s a beautiful example of how design and technology came together to define a new era of motoring. Here is a collection of beautiful photos showcasing the timeless elegance of the 1937 Fiat 1500 Cabriolet.