View of Proposed Brooklyn Bridge and New York City 1870
This framed engraving entitled "Birds-eye View of the Southern End of New York and Brooklyn, Showing the Projected Suspension-Bridge Over the East River, From the Western Terminus in Printing-House Square, New York" by Theodore R. Davis (1840–1894) was published as a supplement of Harper's Weekly, November 19, 1870.
Creator: Theodore R. Davis (1840 - 1894, American)
Creation Year: 1870
Dimensions: Height: 23.5 in (59.69 cm) Width: 29 in (73.66 cm) Depth: 0.75 in (1.91 cm)
Medium: Woodcut
Condition: See description below.
This framed engraving entitled "Birds-eye View of the Southern End of New York and Brooklyn, Showing the Projected Suspension-Bridge Over the East River, From the Western Terminus in Printing-House Square, New York" by Theodore R. Davis (1840–1894) was published as a supplement of Harper's Weekly, November 19, 1870.
Creator: Theodore R. Davis (1840 - 1894, American)
Creation Year: 1870
Dimensions: Height: 23.5 in (59.69 cm) Width: 29 in (73.66 cm) Depth: 0.75 in (1.91 cm)
Medium: Woodcut
Condition: See description below.
This framed engraving entitled "Birds-eye View of the Southern End of New York and Brooklyn, Showing the Projected Suspension-Bridge Over the East River, From the Western Terminus in Printing-House Square, New York" by Theodore R. Davis (1840–1894) was published as a supplement of Harper's Weekly, November 19, 1870.
Creator: Theodore R. Davis (1840 - 1894, American)
Creation Year: 1870
Dimensions: Height: 23.5 in (59.69 cm) Width: 29 in (73.66 cm) Depth: 0.75 in (1.91 cm)
Medium: Woodcut
Condition: See description below.
The print is presented in a maple frame and a double mat. The frame measures 23.5" high, 29" wide and 0.75" deep. There is a vertical center fold and additional vertical lines, where wood engraving blocks were joined for the printing process. It is in excellent condition.
This framed image depicting New York in 1870 was a centerfold for the November 19, 1870 issue of Harper's Weekly. It includes the site and eventual appearance of the East River New York-Brooklyn Bridge; the name later shortened to the Brooklyn Bridge. The print was issued eleven months after the start of construction of the bridge on January 2, 1870, which would take another 12.5 years to complete. When this view was drawn, work on the bridge was all below ground, constructing the supports for the bridge’s towers. Labels in the upper portion of the print identify locations in the background including "Light Ship, ten miles from Sandy Hook; Coney Island; Sandy Hook—Highland Lights; Staten Island"). Staten Island is depicted in the top right. Coney Island and Governors Island are included. The Statue of Liberty would not be dedicated for another 16 years. Ships, including ferries, paddle-wheelers, steamships, schooners and sloops are seen in the East River. The bridge would eventually decease the congestion of ships in the river and ports. Abundant horse-drawn carriages and buses, as well as trolleys are shown on the streets of New York.
At the time of this view there were no tall buildings in New York. The steeples of St. Paul's Chapel and the distant Trinity Church were the highest structures seen in this view. This unusual aerial view, looking south, depicts the future transportation hub to be located at Park Row and Printing House Square. The wide street with horse drawn trolleys is Park Row. The signs identifying the headquarters of several newspapers can be seen, including: “The Star,” “The Sun,” and “The Times.” St. Paul’s Chapel can be seen where Park Row converges with Broadway.