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113 Division Street
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113 Division Street
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Division Street tobacco store, January 26, 1938. According to “Changing New York,” the collection of photographer Berenice Abbott’s WPA work: “The Scharlin family opened its snuff store in 1876. The Yiddish signs in the window say ‘Do you want real strong smelling tobacco? Come in and see for yourself-free trial.’ At its height, the business had branches throughout the nation, and, in 1906, Mrs Scharlin reportedly declined an offer of $500,000. But, by the time of the Depression, the vogue for snuff had ended and the business was in decline. The seven-foot wooden statue of "Sandy" the kilted Scotsman holding a snuff box advertised Scharlin's snuff from the 1870 until 1938. He now resides in the Shelburne Museum in Vermont.” The tenement building that housed the Scharlin storefront is still standing, a few doors west of the Knickerbocker Post Office’s rear entrance.
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113 Division Street
Changing New York; Snuff Shop The S. Scharlin & Son Snuff Shop at 113 Division Street at Orchard Street.
113 Division Street
Manhattan: Division Street - Pike Street. 113 Division Street, south side, east of Pike Street, showing the Scharlin snuff shop and its wooden identification. Sandy the "Scotch Indian" has had a series of adventures since this photo was taken. Confiscated by the Manhattan Department of Borough of Works for obstructing the sidewalk, he was hauled off to the city dump in April, heartless officials paying no heed to his antiquity or authentic folk-art beauty. Rescued when his owner paid a $1.00 fine, the snuff shop figure was sold to a collector. This photo was reproduced on page 68 of the published volume "Changing New York. " January 26, 1938 Berenice Abbott, photo Federal Art Project Neg ~77 Another copy filed under "Occupations - Tobacco"
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