Philadelphia: Historic Exteriors and Interiors is a celebration of the city's architectural legacy. Vintage postcards document both the interiors and exteriors of some of Philadelphia's oldest and most well-known structures, including grandiose department stores, elegant restaurants, and the original terminal of the Philadelphia International Airport. From laborers toiling in their overheated factories to the elegance of a Center City ballroom or presidential suite, and from the whacky comic opera stage to the legitimate theater, the postcards featured in this volume allow readers to experience the nostalgia of Philadelphia in years past.
Gus Spector, a member of the Phoenixville Historical Society and the Pennsylvania Historical Society, has been collecting postcards of Philadelphia for over 35 years. His keen interests lie not only in the aspect of amassing a large number of cards but also in piecing together the jigsaw puzzle of the life and times of the city. Born in South Philadelphia, where he attended public schools and then Temple University, he now lives in a suburb of Philadelphia.