Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Mid-Century Louisiana


The Southeastern Architectural Archive (SEAA) and the Tulane Digital Library (TUDL) recently completed an exciting digitization project.

The new digital collection consists of gelatin silver prints made by New Orleans photographer Howard 'Cole' Coleman (1883-1969) and donated to Tulane University in memory of his wife, Thelma Hecht Coleman.

As a commercial photographer, Coleman specialized in local subjects developed in series. The collection includes photographs and corresponding negatives of visiting celebrities, jazz musicians, notable structures, festival culture, restaurants, wildlife and foreign trade operations. Coleman took an interest in documenting the same subjects over the course of time, photographing buildings before and after renovations or other significant changes. He used the same approach with his commercial Mardi Gras images, situating his camera in two locations along major parade routes to systematically photograph passing float processions. Gallier Hall (545 St. Charles Street) and the Keller-Zander building (814 Canal Street) typically form the backdrop to his these images.

Learn more about/see the collection......

URL:  http://digitallibrary.tulane.edu/collection/id/106

Image above: Howard C. Coleman. 238-240 Royal Street. Betty Picone’s Drinkatorium. Building also known as Conway’s Corner. Circa 1955-1958. Structure demolished 1963. Thelma Hecht Coleman Memorial Collection, Southeastern Architectural Archive, Special Collections Division, Tulane University Libraries.

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