Interesting old photos -New Orleans Prostitutes ....

[Guest123018]

What is Storyville? Is it an area,
certain types, a brothel etc.

Maybe Annie or even Melissa can chime in and share what history they may know.

I don't know enough about these parts to know enough to share any stories.
I'd love to hear (read) some famous folktales

I love these famous photos. Each photo has it's own story.

[OldGent]

The documentary: "Storyville:The Naked Dance" is about that very place and it's history. Good thread topic. I am interested in erotic history too.

[playwithkate]

Storyville was an actual place. They had tourist guides at one point, like the guides to the plantation now, listing all the brothels. They were usually luxurious mansions. There were lots of interesting racial tidbits that are unique to the city (probably not the way you think). If people are willing to act like adults and not turn the conversation nasty I would be happy some more interesting facts.

[SknyDiva]

Yes I would like to learn more about the history of this place.

[cockalatte]

Interesting post ~P!

[stavinChain]

Originally Posted by Seeking ~P

What is Storyville?

What was Storyville is the question. Here is a good summary. Al Rose's book is the definitive book, for those so inclined. It includes many of Bellocq's classic photos (shown above), including the story of how those photos were almost lost to history.

[Melissa Madyson]

I moved to NOLA when I was 19, however I didn't delve too much into the history of brothels and such. Perhaps some of the other ladies and gent's may want to chime in and comment.

But this IS a good topic....I would like to know myself.
M.M.

[joethick]

A few years ago I had the pleasure of sampling a storied French Quarter Playboy Bunny Provider from the 60's who is happily retired from the scene but will see select highly recommended gentlemen now and then to fund her slot machine hobby.

No guys... I will not reveal her. Please don't ask.

Something about ladies from days gone by...

[playwithkate]

"Quadroons" (not my word) commanded the highest price at the brothels at one point in history, and white women would sometimes pretend to be part black to command the higher prices. This was a very unusual place. The brothels here were the birthplace of jazz.

Another interesting customs were the quadroon balls (like debutante balls). The quadroon women would "marry" white men. The men had to prove their financial status. The women would get contracts for houses (with white picket fences which amuses me), businesses and other luxuries. They were mistresses with more rights and freedoms, there was no intermarriage in those days. Sometimes this ended with the man's marriage. Sometimes they loved each other.

This was in the days of slavery, but there were many free blacks in New Orleans.

http://www.storyvilledistrictnola.co...e_history.html

The "Blue Book" is the tourist guide I mentioned earlier, with descriptions of the charms of prostitutes no different than if the prostitutes were actresses. The prostitutes were more popular, in fact.

I love the history of this city!

[LA_guy]

This is a bit pricey, but the Historic New Orleans Collection just put out a book about the blue books in Storyville. I personally know several people at the HNOC and have worked with them in the past, these folk are amazing researchers. Here is a link to the book:

http://www.hnoc.org/publications/guidebookstosin.html

Also, if you want samples about what was in the blue books, try this site:

http://www.storyvilledistrictnola.co...k_gallery.html

The blue books were the guides that playwithkate mentioned, they were basically directories of prostitutes, separated by race, and listed their locations. They did not mention services offered or prices. But they did include info on popular brothels that included interior and exterior pics. It was an interesting place.

[LA_guy]

You may also find this book to be interesting:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K4C4HMQ...ng=UTF8&btkr=1

[trainwreck+]

Bellocq is associated with the photographs.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E._J._Bellocq

[playwithkate]

placage (very interesting)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pla%C3%A7age

https://maggiemcneill.wordpress.com/2010/11/22/placage/

[playwithkate]

This is where the high class quadroon prostitutes came from--placage.

[Lily Kat Wood]

Thank you ~P, this is a wonderful thread. I have always loved this collection of photos. Here are two of my favorites.