1897 Graham Chromolithograph Bird's-Eye View of New York City

This is a January 1897 Charles Graham and New York Tribune view of Greater New York City - a persuasive piece issued to promote the idea of Greater New York, which involved consolidating Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island into a single city. When this map was issued, the Greater New York City Charter was a matter of fierce debate in the State Legislature, with most protests coming from Brooklyn, which feared loss of autonomy. The Tribune was definatively pro-Charter.

A Closer Look

The view looks north on New York from a high point above Lower New York Bay, likely near Sandy Hook. Coney Island appears in the foreground, with roads traversing open fields to connect with more developed parts of Brooklyn. Prospect Park and Greenwood Cemetery are wooded sanctuaries on the outskirts of Brooklyn. Development does not reach as far as Fort Hamilton, illustrated here watching over the Verrazzano Narrows. Queens is filled with open green fields. The Brooklyn Bridge is the only bridge across the East River. Manhattan's urban sprawl extends as far as Washington Heights and Inwood. Central Park appears as an oasis amid the chaos. Jersey City's piers, wharves, and factories are illustrated on the opposite bank of the Hudson. Ships ply the water of both rivers and New York Harbor.

Consolidation of New York

The New York State Legislature passed the Greater New York Charter in 1897, officially creating a consolidated city of five boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, and Staten Island. The consolidation officially took effect on January 1, 1898. This unification was driven by rapid population growth, economic integration, and the need for coordinated infrastructure and services. The New York State Legislature passed the charter amidst heated debates, especially from Brooklyn residents concerned about losing local autonomy. The consolidation brought significant benefits, including streamlined governance, economic growth, large-scale infrastructure projects, and cultural integration, though it also posed challenges like administrative complexity and resistance from some boroughs. Ultimately, this consolidation laid the foundation for New York City's emergence as a global powerhouse.

Chromolithography

Chromolithography, sometimes called oleography, is a color lithographic technique developed in the mid-19th century. The process involved using multiple lithographic stones, one for each color, to yield a rich composite effect. Oftentimes, the process would start with a black basecoat upon which subsequent colors were layered. Some chromolithographs used 30 or more separate lithographic stones to achieve the desired product. Chromolithograph color could also be effectively blended for even more dramatic results. The process became extremely popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries when it emerged as the dominant method of color printing. The vivid color chromolithography produced made it exceptionally effective for advertising and propaganda imagery.

Publication History and Census

This view was drawn by Charles Graham and published by the New York Tribune on January 30, 1897. We note a single cataloged example, which is part of the collection at the New York Public Library.