The Hotel New York in the early part of the 20th Century
Thank you to my friend and colleague in Cluj, Stefi Timofte, for finding this picture for me. Of course it shows the Hotel New York (now the sad and decaying Continental) that Paddy visited with Angéla and István in the summer of 1934.
This story has been debunked in Artemis’ biography but I am not entirely convinced by the explanation in her book. Paddy says he got the details from a book in German, but the level of detail (see my story about the internal decor) implies that this book had very good photographs in colour or Paddy at least visited during one of his later visits to Romania.
For me, Paddy’s description of the romance of those days on the road, and the nighttime trysts with Angéla can never be diminished.
Related articles:
An eye for detail and the memory of the Hotel New York in Cluj
Angéla, Paddy, István and Tom in Cluj-Napoca
£1 a week – Rendezvous in Cluj
Why did I not think of that?? Of course they are drunk. Poor souls.
I agree with you about that element of Artemis Cooper’s book.
This postcard is of course fascinatig but leaves me asking at least one question, perhaps more. The men in the very middle look very uncomfortable, almost as if they were facing a strong wind or as if they were being attacked. Please, someone, help me figure this out. Blake More
Perhaps they are drunk?