The Old Print Shop

Bird's Eye View of New-York & Brooklyn.

  • ARTIST: John Bachmann

  • PUBLISHER: Published by J. U. Locher, St. Gall, Switzerland [and] J. H. Locher, 117 Fulton Street, New York.

  • MEDIUM: Three-color lithograph,

    DATE: c.1852.

  • EDITION SIZE: Image size 20 3/4 x 28 3/8" (52.8 x 72.2 cm).

  • DESCRIPTION: Drawn on stone by C. Matter. Printed by I. Schaerer. After a drawing by John Bachmann. <BR><BR> John Bachmann is not identified as the artist; however, it is known that this image is copied from John Bachmann’s view. <BR><BR> This is a bird's-eye view of the independent cities of New York and Brooklyn. The consolidation of the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island took effect in 1898, so at this time the cities of New York and Brooklyn were competing for commerce. The view is remarkable for many reasons: it shows the early skyscrapers of Manhattan, the church towers, and the original size of Governors Island which is now almost three times larger due to landfill. Castle Garden is shown at the end of a pier which at this time was a theater. As expansion of the city continued and landfill was added, Castle Garden was eventually on the Island of Manhattan. It would also become the immigration center (before Ellis Island), welcoming millions seeking the American dream.<BR><BR> Other buildings of note prominently displayed in Manhattan are Trinity Church facing Wall Street, the New York Stock Exchange, the Federal Building, and City Hall. In Brooklyn, City Hall, the Heights promenade, and the Navy Yard are shown. Above the Navy Yard is the neighborhood of Williamsburg and then a vast open space. Docks for commerce are all along the shores of both cities. <BR><BR> John Bachmann who was born in Switzerland arrived in New York City in 1848. He was a lithographer of great note and was well known for his many spectacular views of New York and Philadelphia.

  • ADDITIONAL INFO:

  • CONDITION: Good condition and color..

  • REFERENCE: John W. Reps, Views and Viewmakers of Urban America #2666.