RESTORATION, PRESERVATION & ARCHIVING

RESTORATION OF AN OLD FADED PHOTOGRAPH OF MADISON SQUARE

The famous intersection of 5th Avenue, Broadway, and 23rd Street is renowned for many of its historical landmarks, monuments, and buildings, including the Flatiron Building, the former Fifth Avenue Hotel and Madison Square Park .

Despite the fact that over a century has passed since this photograph was taken, a tourist looking at the intersection would see that the area has had little chance since then. Busses and cars may have replaced the streetcars and the horse-driven carriages, but most of the buildings and monuments surrounding the interaction remain the same, though the sky above Broadway and 5th Avenue is now filled with numerous skyscrapers.

The original photograph was scanned and digitally restored at the request of a New York society committed to the conservancy of New York City history. To preserve authenticity, the digital image was carefully retouched, and color restoration was applied to bring back the original print tone.