Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward shopping in Paris, 1959.

This photo is often shared with a claim that it shows Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward record shopping in Paris, 1959.

Photo by Gordon Parks, 1959

The photo is real, but the location is wrong. Gordon Parks took this photo in New York City in 1959. They are standing outside the Strand bookstore near hotel Albert.

Verification: hotel Albert had a French Restaurant. The sign text is partly visible in the Gordon Parks photo. The hotel entrance had a marquis and some poles that are quite distinct.

I found a photo of hotel Albert taken in 1962. It shows the same marquis and poles from a different angle. It is clear the record shopping photo was taken in NYC and not in Paris.

Photo credit: Robert Otter, 1962

Photo source: The Hotel Albert, photo gallery.

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