1908 Spofford Set of 4 Views of New York City from the Singer Tower

This is a rare set of four 1909 Edward Spofford views of Manhattan, New York, as seen from the deck of the Singer Tower. This view was issued at the dawn of the Skyscraper Age when the Singer Tower (1908 - 1968) was the world's tallest building. Thus, Spofford's views, commissioned by the Singer Company, were novel to most New Yorkers, who could have never imagined seeing their city from such a lofty perspective. It is also Spofford's earliest known work. They are a stunning celebration of one of New York's long-lost architectural wonders, a casualty of 'modernization' in the 1960s.

A Closer Look

These views consist of four images, all from the roof of the Singer Tower, but each looking over Manhattan from a different direction. The views are lithographs from Spofford's pencil sketches. They capture a host of smaller buildings, bridges, and bustling streets that combine automotive and horse-drawn traffic. In the northward-oriented view, the Met Life Tower, also completed in 1909, stands as a stark counterpoint. Along the Hudson are New York's once-famous passenger piers, including those of White Star. Looking south, the Battery, Governor's Island, and the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor are all illustrated. All four views feature a ghosted image of the Singer Tower along the right side.

The Singer Tower

The Singer Tower, located in New York City, was an iconic early skyscraper completed in 1908 as the headquarters of the Singer Manufacturing Company, famed for its sewing machines. Designed by renowned architect Ernest Flagg, it stood at 612 feet (187 meters) and was the tallest building in the world at the time of its completion, holding that title until 1909. The building's design combined elements of Beaux-Arts and French Renaissance styles, with a slender, ornate tower rising from a more substantial base. Its red brick and white terracotta façade made it a striking addition to the Manhattan skyline, and its observation deck offered breathtaking views of the city. Despite its architectural significance, the Singer Tower was demolished in 1968 to make way for the modernist U.S. Steel Building (now 1 Liberty Plaza), making it one of the tallest buildings ever purposefully dismantled. Its demolition marked a turning point in preservation efforts, sparking debates about the loss of historic landmarks in favor of modern development.

Publication History and Census

These views were published in 1909 for the Singer Manufacturing Company. They were drawn by Edward W. Spofford and constitute his earliest known work - the beginning of a life-long viewmaking career. Today, these views are rare, with the only known complete set being held at the New York Public Library.