Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Vintage Christmas Photos Part VIII: Ansel Adams' 1940 Christmas Show


When one thinks of Ansel Adams, it's usually in the context of his extraordinary pictures of Yosemite Valley and other landscapes in the natural world. In 1940, he turned his lens to 5843 Wilshire Blvd. in downtown Los Angeles to capture this image of the exterior of the Christmas Show. The event ran from Nov. 20th to Dec. 25th, 1940, an effort by the British War Relief Association of Southern California. The Christmas Show included such attractions as a fully decorated and furnished Snowman's Cave, fairyland, gingerbread house, Santa's Castle, magic castle and amusement rides.

2 comments:

  1. Ansel Adams?! Never would have guessed... The Show's attractions sound like a lot of fun... I'd like to have seen the fairyland! Thanks for sharing... Happy Day, my friend :o) ((HUGS))

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  2. I always wonder what happens to display pieces like the giraffes....

    What a cool photo. I'd love to see images of the interior, too.

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