History Brooklyn Boro

Kaufman’s Brooklyn: May 12: Two photos of ‘People, one at a time’

May 12, 2020 Phil Kaufman
Photos courtesy of Phil Kaufman
Share this:

My father, Irving Kaufman (1910 – 1982), was a professional photographer who started in Brooklyn in the mid 1930s working for the Brooklyn Daily Eagle. He captured thousands of images of Brooklyn through the 1950s. I have recently digitized a great many of them. My father’s profile can be found here.

This week’s theme:

This week’s photos are of “People, one at a time.” Evocative, provocative, attractive, odd, sad, intense. It’s extraordinary how revealing and distinct each individual’s story can be when captured in an interesting context and with the skill of a gifted photographer. Collectively, there’s a lot to be felt and learned in the process.

Subscribe to our newsletters

Today’s photos:

Today’s photographs show two people who led very different lives. The first is of a man who played a substantial role in eliminating the Nazis during World War II. The second is an image of the Nazi presence in 1930s Brooklyn which drew a number of local adherents and openly spread hatred.

Supporting the vets, February 19, 1946

General Omar Bradley is at the bedside of a recovering soldier in a veterans’ hospital. At the hospital, Bradley spent time with groups of veterans at mealtimes and in their recreation area, as well as delivering a speech to the men. Bradley was the most senior commander of American ground troops in Europe from the time of D-Day (June 1944) to the surrender of the Germans in May 1945. After the war, Bradley headed the Veterans Administration, and then became Army Chief of Staff in 1948 and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in 1949.

 

An enemy within, c. 1936

A defiant pose from this leader of a Brooklyn office supporting and spreading Nazi beliefs. Newspaper accounts in 1935 estimated at least 2,000 adherents or sympathizers in Brooklyn, and their numbers grew. In 1938, the Brooklyn Daily Eagle published a letter from a reader: “Why are they establishing Nazi camps, dressed in full uniform, practicing the Hitler salute? … and when doing so they carry the American flag.”

An index of Kaufman’s Brooklyn posts may be found here.

Irving Kaufman’s profile may be found here.

I invite you to submit comments, memories, images of Brooklyn, and especially any additional background information you can supply about the photos posted here to [email protected]. I’d also be glad to supply information about buying prints of any of the images seen here. Many of my father’s images are also available for viewing and purchase at http://yourartgallery.com/irvingkaufmanstudios. All prints purchased will be the product of professional scanning and editing.

Weekly collection 2: Photos of ‘People, one at a time’


Leave a Comment

Related Articles

Leave a Comment

3 Comments

  1. Andrew Porter

    General Omar Bradley’s autobiographical book, A Soldier’s Story, published in 1951, is one of the two books on which the movie Patton was based. A review states, “A Soldier’s Story is a compelling and vivid memoir from the greatest military tactician of our time.”

    May 13, 2020 at 1:26 pm
    Reply
  2. Phil Kaufman

    Thanks for adding to my knowledge of Bradley’s background. My father’s pictures, in addition to all else they’ve done for me, have led to a wide and fascinating learning experience.

    May 20, 2020 at 12:04 pm
    Reply