Chinese New Year, New York City

The Chinese New Year follows the Chinese calendar so it falls on a different date each year, usually between January 31 and February 20. There's always a wonderful parade which takes place in New York City’s Chinatown on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. For many reasons, not the least of which was that Raymond and I usually rushed downtown to not only witness the parade, but to indulge in the fantastic special dishes prepared for the occasion by the limitless restaurants up and down Mott, Mulberry, Pearl, Canal Streets, and too many more to name. The parade was a great opportunity for a reportage photographer like Raymond, to spend hours, days, even weeks walking around the area capturing with his camera, the cultural and emotional significance of the holiday. The Chinese New Year is a time that most New Yorkers just love. These photos were taken in 1953. - Eleanor Jacobs

Celebrating, Chinese New Year, 1953

Man with flag, Chinese New Year, 1953

On the fire escape, Chinese New Year, 1953

Boy holding flag, Chinese New Year, 1953

Pinstripe suit and Fedora hat, Chinese New Year, 1953

Chinese flag, Chinese New Year, 1953

Man with Chinese flag, Chinese New Year, 1953