Service on the IRT Third Avenue Elevated line was cut back starting in 1950 and the Manhattan tracks were demolished by 1955. Anatol Kovarsky's vibrant cover proposal for The New Yorker shows the El where it passes over a crosstown street, possibly 23rd Street. The view is facing west after dark. Below the El, the image includes the city's bustle, the traffic, and the illuminated signs. The skyscrapers above the El stand majestically over the chaos. One can only speculate as to why the magazine wasn't interested. Perhaps, in 1950 or so when everyone knew the elevated tracks were slated for demolition, the editors wanted their cover art to be more forward-looking. The original art is available from Honey & Wax Booksellers priced at $3,600.
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| Detail of the Third Avenue El |
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| Detail with the No. 15 bus heading east |
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| Anatol Kovarsky Honey & Wax Booksellers listing accessed May 31, 2023 |
June 29, 2023 Update: Sold (on or before June 20)!
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