Giant Checkers Board, 1930
What an iconic pic we have here. Featured in this photo are classic stars from the 1930s, Charles Ray and Lillian Bond. Charles Ray was known for his starring roles in a string of hit movies, whereas Lillian Bond made her name on the musical comedy circuit.
Here they are playing checkers on a giant outdoor board atop the Hotel Governor Clinton. And if that wasn’t enough, the game is being refereed by renowned composer Ted Barorn! Talk about rubbing shoulders with the elite!
Pierino Gamba, 1940s
This may look like a game or a photo of a child merely playing along at being a sort of conductor while in front of a classical orchestra, but that’s not the case. Because this is in fact Pierino Gamba, who was famous in the 1940s as a child prodigy in the world of music.
Before he was even 10 years old, Gamba was conducting orchestras, and he went on to become one of the most famous conductors in the world. Here he is at some point in the 1940s, conducting a powerful musical moment despite his tiny stature.