1855 "New-York City & County Map With Vicinity Entire Brooklyn Wiliamsburgh Jersey City &C." by Charles Magnus

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This is a beautiful hand-colored map titled “New York City & County Map with Vicinity entire Brooklyn, Williamsburgh, Jersey City … Read more This is a beautiful hand-colored map titled “New York City & County Map with Vicinity entire Brooklyn, Williamsburgh, Jersey City &c.” The work was published in 1855 by Charles Magnus and is presented in a wooden archival frame.

Published by one of the best known and most prosperous printers in the mid to late 19th century, this map is wonderfully detailed. Turned clockwise so that cardinal west is at the top of the map, this is an unusual and attractive depiction of the city.The map shows the entirety of Manhattan as well as nearby neighborhoods. The map lends special attention to individual streets, blocks, parks and even important buildings. Magnus shows important ferry crossings, canals, and railroads as well with steamships navigating the Hudson River.

Centered on Manhattan, the map identifies additional districts including Manhattanville, Yorkville, and Harlem. Several areas have changed since the 1855 map was completed and some of the planned landfill is visible around Hoboken and Jersey City. Other sites have notably changed such as New York Lunatic Asylum that is in place of the modern site of Columbia University. At the bottom center of the map an alphanumerically keyed legend notes 'Universities, Colleges and Scientific and Literary, Benevolent-Institutions,' 'Public Buildings' and 'Places of Amusement.' An illustration of the New York City Hall adorns the bottom left of the map and is balanced by the full text of the Declaration of Independence surrounded by an elaborate medallion at the bottom right. The map is beautifully decorated with acanthus leaf motif border. Overall, this map is an appealing example of Magnus printing and New York City in the mid-19th century. See less