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New York Works is a vibrant series of audio portraits of New York characters plying dying trades, like the knife sharpener who still makes house calls and one of the city’s last water tower builders. Though recorded in 2002, the show’s charming portraits of a vanishing New York are more timely than ever – and, in case you missed it, they can be now listened to online.
One vignette covers a day in the life of Walter Backerman, a seltzer delivery man who inherited the business from his father, who in turn inherited it from his parents, who started the business in 1919. Now in his fifties, Backerman (pictured) has been a seltzer man his whole life, except for an aborted stint in law school. He acknowledges his profession “was anachronistic 30 years ago; now it’s like a resurrected ghost”. But loyal customers like Bronx resident Mildred Blitz – whose grandparents bought seltzer from Backerman’s grandparents – wouldn’t have it any other way:
I mean the seltzer is great, but it’s Walter. That’s the thing about his product. He’s the product. It’s not the seltzer, it’s Walter. He talks about retiring, I get sick. While we’re on the subject, would you like a glass of seltzer? I could make you a seltzer with chocolate and milk. What’s sad now is the seltzer that’s being sold in the supermarket doesn’t come close. It doesn’t have the taste; it’s nothing. When you open the top it fizzles a little the first time and then it dies, a horrible death. Ich, it’s awful.New York Works also visited the Bronx workshop of Cali Rivera, one of the last handmade cowbell manufacturers in the world. Rivera demonstrates the difference between his cowbells and a factory-made bell: THUNK THUNK THUNK. “That's a dead bell, this is ready to do to sleep.” Another winner is the afternoon spent with the late "Brassiere Maven" Selma Koch, owner of the Upper West Side’s Town Shop, who passed away at 95 a year after the show was recorded:
The thing that's made this bra business so fantastic is that bosoms have gotten so big. When we started, cups were A/B. and C. Now some of the most successful brasseries many are making E, F, G and H! And they are big. You could almost live in them. Looks like a big tent, doesn't it? And they're young things. I mean they're not just stiff old ladies.And anyone itching to tell their story can also participate in a similar but unrelated project called StoryCorps, a national project that has been documenting tens of thousands of personal, oral histories to be archived at the Library of Congress. Reservations are still being taken for recording sessions at two temporary booths in Grand Central Station and in Foley Square; a ten dollar donation is requested and you walk away with a CD recording of your conversation with a friend or StoryCorps "facilitator."
Photo of Walter Backerman via Mariani’s Virtual Gourmet.
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I'm confused as to how one bottle of carbonated water would taste so different from another as to inspire this kind of loyalty, but I'd certainly be willing to try it to find out. Is there anyplace I can buy a bottle of Mr. Backerman's seltzer?
Wonderful post, thank you! I love hearing about these people. Plus I am also becoming an NYC anachronism - though not by trade.
The flavor of old world business practices are far more interesting than today's corporately-owned companies.
Story Corps is also a great idea. But for those who can't pay the $ 10 donation - there's always a free open mic night to share your story.
Like I did yesterday. :)
Your stage time is limited, but chances are someone there will be able to both record and film you.
#1 - "buy a bottle" - See that's the problem right there. His product is good - you don't need to taste it to know.
CR - care to clarify?
Do the bottles have those little pump handles? Sometimes the places provide syrup too, or you can buy flavored syrup and make your own sodas. Delish.
An older lady I know who lives in Morningside Heights has gotten seltzer delivered for years. It is better than the kind you get in the store, it has more force and carbonation. A must for making egg creams!
the seltzer isnt in plastic bottles. That makes it worth it right there
Excellent post. Might I recommend a few additional links for people interested in an audio history of NYC?
First is Sound Portraits, a radio documentary production studio in Brooklyn. They've got great stories about old timers in Coney Island, Times Square, etc. One of my favorites is Last Day at the Automat, recorded on the last day the Horn & Hardart Automat was open in Times Square.
And for those with an interest in hearing more from the StoryCorps project, you can do a search to hear all of the New York stories on their site. The first result that comes up, Harley Spiller, is fantastic and will get you in the mood for more.
Full disclosure: I am the webmaster for Sound Portraits and StoryCorps, but I am in no way biased. This is great stuff.