The 'image page' is where we put a changing variety of New Haven Railroad photographs and advertising material for you to enjoy. Be sure to check back here often because we plan to refresh these images on a regular basis.
May 1st, 2004
In the 1930s a company called the
International Mutoscope and Reel Company of New York City, a manufacturer of
penny arcade games, nickelodeons, weight and fortune dispensers, and other
coin-operated entertainment devices, developed a machine capable of taking a
photograph and dispensing a black & white print in just a few minutes time.
The machine was called a "Photomatic", and they were frequently
installed at larger railroad passenger stations, where for fifteen cents
departing friends or family members could make a farewell portrait on-the-spot.
The Photomatic machines used a wet photo developing process similar to what would have been used by a conventional photographer at that time. Basically, the Photomatic machine took a picture with a built-in camera, then a motor driven mechanism took the photo frame, which had photographic paper attached to it, through a series of chemical and water baths that developed the photograph. This explains the tray-like shape of the Photomatic photo frames. Photomatic photographs can be found today imprinted with advertising for the New Haven and other railroads. All items from the collection of Marc Frattasio.
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The back of a Photomatic photograph with NHRR "script" monogram and passenger service advertising. Such photos were obtained at New Haven Railroad passenger stations. The metal rimmed cardstock photo frame measures 3 inches by 1 ½ inch. |
| The front or photo side of a
Photomatic photograph showing a woman dressed in typical travel attire of
the 1940s. Photomatic
photographs found today are often under-exposed or show the effects of
light-leaks, as is the case here. |
 |
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Photomatic machine in the waiting room at South
Station during the immediate pre or postwar period. Here's proof that a Photomatic machine was operational in
Boston. These machines were also installed at New York's Grand Central
Terminal and at other large passenger stations on the New Haven. |
April 2004: Menu Covers of the 1960s Era
March 2004: Menu Covers of the 1950s Era
February 2004: Fun On The Train
January 2004: Travel Folders #7
December 2003: Travel Folders #6
November 2003: Travel Folders #5
October 2003: Travel Folders #4
September 2003: Travel Folders #3
August 2003: Travel Folders #2
May 2003: Small Rectangular Travel Folders
March 2003: Children's Dining Car Menus
February 2003: Sleeping Car Service
January 2003: Odds and Ends #6
December 2002: Old Saybrook China
November 2002: Platinum Blue China
September 2002: Diesel Builder's Plates
April 2002: New Haven R.R. Travel Bags
March 2002: Cost Saving Fare Promotions
February 2002: Odds and Ends #1
December 2001: New Haven R.R. Locks
November 2001: The Streamlined Coaches
September 2001: Seashore Tours
August 2001: John Held, Jr. and the New Haven R.R.
June 2001: The Rail-Auto Travel Plan
May 2001: Advertising Stickers
April 2001: Dietz Hand Lanterns
February 2001: Right of Way Signs
December 2000: TDI Commuter Schedules
November 2000: To Florida on the New Haven Railroad!
September 2000: Train Service Cancellation Posters
August 2000: The New Haven Railroad Rail Charge Card
June 2000: The Boat Race Trains
May 2000: Timetable Change Posters
April 2000: New Haven Railroad Station Signs
March 2000: The Key to New England
February 2000: Route 128 Station
January 2000: New Haven Railroad Cigarette Lighters
December 1999: The Dan'l Webster
November 1999: Postwar Travel Posters
October 1999: Modern Dining Car China
September 1999: New Haven Railroad Dining Car Service Pins
August 1999: New Haven Railroad Lapel Pins
July 1999: The 1939 New York World's Fair -- 60th Anniversary
February 1999: Special Trains of the 1950s and 1960s
January 1999: Ticket Envelopes
December 1998: Holiday Advertising Material
November 1998: New York City Travel Advertising Material
October 1998: Boston Travel Advertising Material
September 1998: The Hurricane of 1938 -- 60th Anniversary
July 1998: The New Haven Goes Back to Cape Cod
June 1998: The 1964/1965 New York World's Fair
May 1998: Official Gifts of the McGinnis Era
March 1998: Pre-War Advertising Brochures
February 1998: New Haven Railroad Freight Service Advertising from the 1950s and 1960s
December 1997: Hotel Montclair Advertisement ca. 1939