From John Rathbone at [log in to unmask]

G'Day, Oliver and Other "Listers"!

I have no idea whether this will be of any help to you.

My grandfather, who passed on the year before I was born, owned and operated, with my grandmother, the Terminal Hotel, located on New York City's west side, just south of "Hell's Kitchen."  The hotel included a restaurant located on the first floor.  

One of the features of this restaurant -- of which my grandfather was rather proud -- was the turtle soup they prepared.  As I understand, he would serve the turtle soup at gatherings of New York City politicians.  (Probably the local "ward heelers.")

They used to cater "picnics" -- really, huge outings -- of these folk in New Jersey, as well.

I might be able to locate a photograph of him standing in front of a large turtle's carapace and also an image of the hotel.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Oliver Marshall" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, December 09, 2005 11:05 AM
Subject: [NYHIST-L] turtle soup


>I am interested in the history of turtle soup in London and New York City. My impression is that although the dish reached its height of popularity in New York in the late 19th century,  it had long been on menus and it would remain so until the early 1960s.
> 
> I am now looking for sources relating to turtles and turtle soup in New York City. In particular I am hoping to find information on the importation and sale in markets and shops of live turtles from the Caribbean, descriptions of official functions, restaurants and taverns where turtle soup was served, and material on the commercial production of the soup. It would also be wonderful to identify locations of pictures -- prints, paintings or photographs.
> 
> I was hoping that members of the list might have come across references to turtle soup in archives, memoirs, works of fiction or historical studies. If so, I would be most grateful if you could direct me to any such material. If you don't have any specific sources to suggest, general advice on archives to approach would be greatly appreciated.
> 
> Many thanks.
> 
> Oliver Marshall
> London, England
> 
>