Photos, 4, of Philip Petrignani Family at Maxwell House; La Rosa Spaghetti Fesitival Day , Hoboken, 1957.
Photograph
Four photographs and two letters about the Philip Petrignani family of 809 Washington Street, Hoboken, at a 1957 Maxwell House Coffee plant event and La Rosa Spaghetti Fesitival Day 1957 dinner in 800 block of Washington St., Hoboken.
Digital images only; reference prints of items on file; letters 1 and 2, written in 2010, transcribed in notes as well as referenced below. High resolution tiffs media archive.
Photo 1: Black-and-white photo of Petrignani family members and relatives at an open house event at the Maxwell House Coffee plant, Hoboken, 1957. Original print, ca. 7" x 10" wide. Photographer not indicated. Reverse marked "G1." A painted sign behind them reads: Families and Guests of Maxwell House.
People identified per letter 2 (see notes): seated at a coffee tasting table, left to right: Mildred [Riccio] (sister of Geraldine Petrignani); Cheryl Petrignani; Philip Petrignani, Jr.; Geraldine Petrignani; two unidentified boys.
Standing: only persons identified are fourth from left, Philip Petrignani [a supervisor at Maxwell House], and far right, Jack Churachella, brother-in-law.
The table that the visitors surround is a a coffee tasting table, probably in the Central Laboratory building, and used for taste testing or quality assurance. Seen are 4 open cans of General Foods coffee products (Maxwell House, Sanka, Bliss, Yuban) made at this plant; of the four coffee cups seen, two have single numerals visible on them; three spoons are placed face down on a place mat. The round table itself appears to be granite with a groove in the top about 6 inches from the edge (channel for controlling spills?) A metal fixture is seen at the center and may be a hot water fountain. At the front left edge is a small metal table attached on an arm that runs to the center metal pedestal. Walls are ceramic tiled to about 5 feet high.
Photo 2: Cheryl Petrignani (age not given, circa 6-8 years old) eating spaghetti and meatballs with sauce at an outdoor dinner, the La Rosa Spaghetti Fesitival Day 1957.
See letter 1 for text description by her written in 2010 of this photo and photos 3 and 4. No date other than 1957, but it is obviously warm weather. She is seated at a table near 809 Washington Street, the "Rose" apartment house, where her family lived. Photograph taken by Bakalar-Cosmo, Photographers, 119 West 57th St., N.Y.C. (ink stamp on back with pencil order number: 70610F.) Original print 8" x 10".
Photo 3: Cheryl Petrignani with tray of food at La Rosa Spaghetti Fesitival Day 1957 in front of 809 Washington St., Hoboken. Dating same as photo 2. Photograph taken by Bakalar-Cosmo, Photographers, 119 West 57th St., N.Y.C. (ink stamp on back with pencil order number: 70610A.) Original print 8" x 10".
A plate of spaghetti is being placed on her tray which also has a large piece of bread and a Sterling salt shaker. The women and men, unidentified, serving the food are wearing chef hats and aprons lettered "Spaghetti & Meatballs by La Rosa." Each wears a large pin "Committee" badge. Organization, if any, is not stated or known. The entry to the "Rose" apartment house is in the background.
Photo 4: The Petrignani family seated at a table in the 800 block of Washington St. near the family home at 809 Washington St., Hoboken, at the La Rosa Spaghetti Fesitival Day 1957. Dating same as photo 2. Photograph taken by Bakalar-Cosmo, Photographers, 119 West 57th St., N.Y.C. (ink stamp on back with pencil order number: 70610D.) Original print 8" x 10".
From left: Geraldine Petrignani; Cheryl Petrignani; Philip Petrignani, Jr; Philip Petrignani.
Each has a plate of salad in addition to the pasta and meatballs. In 2010, Cheryl Petrignani Bracht stated that this photograph was used by General Foods Corporation in "G.F. News" (presumably a house organ, issue no. or date unstated.)
2010.029.0001
2010.029
Bracht, Cheryl Petrignani
Gift
Bakalar-Cosmo, Photographers
1957
Hoboken
Notes: Letter 1:
May 15th, 2010
To Whom It May Concern,
The enclosed photographs are of my family, Philip, Geraldine, Philip, Jr. and myself, Cheryl Petrignani. My father, Philip A. Petrignani was a supervisor at Maxwell House [coffee plant]. Maxwell House hired a photographer to take pictures of my family. The group photograph appeared in the G.F. [General Foods] News. We are seated outside our home, the Rose Building located at 809 Washington Street, Hoboken, New Jersey. It was the La Rosa Spaghetti Festival Day 1957.
[signed] Cheryl Petrignani Bracht
Manalapan, NJ
(street address and phone numbers redacted)
------------------------
Letter 2:
May 15, 2010
To Whom It May Concern,
My father, Philip A. Petrignani, was a supervisor at Maxwell House. The enclosed photograph was taken on family and guest day in 1957. Dad, Philip in the back with the dark suit and tie, myself, Cheryl Petrignani seated wearing white hat, next to brother Philip Jr. and mother Geraldine wearing dark jacket and hat. Geraldine Petrignani's sister Mildred seated far left, and brother-in-law Jack Churachella, standing far right.
[signed] Cheryl Petrignani Bracht
Manalapan, NJ
(street address and phone numbers redacted)
Original or Copy: Digital copy
Status: OK
Status By: dw
Status Date: 2010-05-17