1869 Bridgman Cloth Handkerchief Guide and Map of New York City

HandkerchiefNYC-bridgman-1869
$1,900.00
McIntire's Pocket Handkerchief and Guide of New York City. - Main View
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1869 Bridgman Cloth Handkerchief Guide and Map of New York City

HandkerchiefNYC-bridgman-1869

Wipe the sweat from your brown and navigate the elevated train!
$1,900.00

Title


McIntire's Pocket Handkerchief and Guide of New York City.
  1869 (undated)     17.5 x 17.5 in (44.45 x 44.45 cm)     1 : 29250

Description


This is a rare c. 1869 Bridgman and McIntire pocket guide map of New York City. It follows shortly after the development of New York's Elevated Train System - the city's first viable public transportation and the precursor of the modern system. Straphangers need a practical guide, and what could be better than the 'weatherproof,' 'tearproof,' and utilitarian handkerchief map - wipe the sweat from your brow and find your way! Published as 'McIntire's Pocket Handkerchief Guide of New York City,' the map depicts Manhattan from the Battery north to West 155th Street and the southern Bronx.
Railroads in New York
Elevated train lines along Second, Third, Sixth, Ninth, and Tenth Avenues are illustrated and generally labeled 'Manhattan Elevated Rail Road.' Railroads played an important role in New York City in the mid-19th century, but only the New York Central and Hudson Railroad and the New York and New Haven Railroad operated rail lines in Manhattan. All other rail lines ended on the banks of the Hudson River in New Jersey, and passengers were transported across the river by ferry. Even the Long Island Railroad did not operate in Manhattan at the time, with passengers directed to a ferry. Also, there were not yet bridges across the East River, thus necessitating ferry lines between Williamsburg and Manhattan.
A Closer Look
Streets and avenues throughout Manhattan are identified. New York served as a major commercial center, with most imports arriving by sea. Piers line the Hudson River and the East River in Lower Manhattan, many of which are identified by the operating shipping or railroad line. A handful of landmarks are identified, such as the American Museum of Natural History (which opened in 1869), Grand Central Station, and an insane asylum in the Upper West Side. Central Park appears in some detail, with Croton Reservoir, two receiving reservoirs, and The Ramble noted. Indexes of points of interest and ferries across the East and North rivers occupy the upper left, while indexes of railroads, hotels, and amusements appear in the lower right.
Dating This Piece
Although undated, we used the American Museum of Natural History (which opened in 1869) and the absence of the Metropolitan Museum of Art (which opened in 1870) to arrive at the c. 1869 date.
Publication History and Census
This map was created and printed by Bridgman Maps and published by McIntire c. 1869. This is the only known cataloged example.

Cartographer


Erastus Clark Bridgman (October 31, 1817 - August 25, 1870) was a New York City based map publisher active in the middle of the 19th century. Bridgman was born in Westhampton, Massachusetts. He was in South Carolina in 1849, where his first child was born, but moved to New York City by 1850. Bridgman was in partnership with Edward H. Ensign (1818 - 1871) and Horace Thayer from 1850 - 1852, publishing under the imprint of 'Ensign, Thayer, and Co.' Later, from 1854 - 1863, the partnership changed to Edward H. Ensign, Thomas C. Fanning (1805 - 1873), and Bridgman, publishing as 'Ensign, Bridgman and Fanning.' After his death, the Bridgman firm was taken over by his son Edward Clark Bridgman (1849 - 19??). More by this mapmaker...

Condition


Good. Printed on cloth. Some soiling.