Manual of the Corporation of the City of New York, for 1849.
New York: McSpedon & Baker, 1849.
Illustrated manual of the Corporation of the City of New York. 434 pp. with 3 fold out maps and 8 diagrams and lithographed views. Brown buckram with gold stamped spine and covers with official city seal. 12mo. Minor scuffs and cracks to spine and hinges. Chicago Historical Society stamp on title page. Overall very good. Maps and illustrations complete according to the "Index to the Illustrations in the Manuals of the Corporation of the City of New York", published by the Society of Iconophiles, 1906. D.T. Valentine, New York: 1849.
The "Manuals of the Corporation" were directories of extensive historical and contemporary records of New York compiled by D.T. Valentine. These books include detailed information on the meetings of the Aldermen Council, ordinances passed, public officials, the city's debts, directories of hospitals, alms houses and schools, ferry schedules, lists of public porters, demographics and census information, and descriptions of historic buildings and streets. Much of the information was gleaned from Dutch and English sources, as processed by Valentine. Notable illustrations in this edition include "A South Prospect of Ye flourishing City of New York...1746", the Duyckinck plan of the City of New York (1755), and "Union Park". D.T. Valentine (1801-1869) served as the Deputy to the Clerk of the Common Council for thirty-seven years without being promoted to Clerk. Valentine took it upon himself to compile the "Manuals", which he updated and published annually from 1841-1866. Many copies were personalized for prominent officials. Walter Lenox (1817-1874), for whom this copy was made, served as the President of the Board of Aldermen in Washington, D.C. as well as Mayor. He joined the Confederate Army during the Civil War, and in 1863 was arrested by General Winfield Scott. He died in prison. This compendium is an excellent source of early New York City history.
Binding: Hardcover
Language: English
Price: $650.00
Item #299540