By Claire Davenport
Every other Tuesday, West Side Rag posts a new UWS Historical Photo Challenge from author Rob Garber. A member of the Bloomingdale Neighborhood History Group, Garber has done deep dives into the photo archives at New York Historical and other local repositories, digging up images from earlier eras on the UWS and challenging readers to figure out the location and the story behind the photo(s).
Two weeks ago, the challenge involved four black-and-white photos of old UWS ping pong emporiums; the challenge was inspired by “Marty Supreme,” the new Timothée Chalamet film based on the story of UWS table tennis legend Marty Reisman. As always, many readers posted guesses in the comments section; read Rob’s new column today to find out who correctly identified the locations (and to hear some more about the history of the neighborhood’s ping pong emporiums). You’ll also find a new challenge today.
And while you’re mulling the possible answer, take a listen at the link below to Rag Radio’s Claire Davenport, in conversation recently with Garber.
Music courtesy of Blue Dot Sessions. And for earlier installments of Rag Radio segments with West Side Rag contributors, listen to our interviews with Here’s the Dish author Abigael Sidi, Saturday columnist Yvonne Vávra, artist Robert Beck, Weekend columnist Tracy Zwick, cartoonist Gary Martin, photographer Steve Harmon, the authors of Ruthless Advice, Rag cartoonist Bob Eckstein, and WSR reporter Gus Saltonstall.
