A collection of 53 photos from the New York City Municipal Archives, as compiled by Alan Taylor for the Atlantic, and shown in the brilliant and simplistic clarity of black-and-white film.

For a lover of history, and black and white photography, these images are from the turn of the last century and show landmarks being built and daily life, giving a sense of where we have been, in order to know where we are now and where we want to go - the purpose of history, in my opinion.

The photo page also has a link to the NYC Municipal Archives, which contain thousands of similar images.

Enjoy.