Rare Old Map of Upper West Side, NYC, 1879: Riverside Park, West 81st to West 101st Street

The map presented here is an exquisite representation of a portion of the Upper West Side of New York City, specifically capturing parts of the 12th and 22nd wards as they existed in 1879. Created by G.W. Bromley, a notable name in cartography of the era, this map offers a meticulous glimpse into the urban fabric of the late 19th century New York. The hand-colored lithograph highlights the precision with which Bromley documented urban details, ranging from individual buildings and fire hydrants to steam and street railways. His attention to the original water courses, farm lines, ward boundaries, and block dimensions culminates in a piece that is not only a visual artifact but also a historical document of inestimable value.

Riverside Park, a significant green space of the area, is prominently featured, providing contemporary viewers with a sense of the recreational landscapes available to New Yorkers of the time. The Boulevard, now known as Broadway, bisects the map, revealing its importance as a thoroughfare even in the 19th century. This map also sheds light on the original water mains and the locations of fire hydrants, indicating the early infrastructure that supported the growing city. The pink and yellow tones used to denote various types of land use and the annotations added to the map further enrich the historical narrative encapsulated within this single sheet.

Notably, the map also includes affixed clippings and annotations that, while obscuring parts of the original design, serve as testament to the map’s continued use and relevance long after its creation. These added elements provide a layered historical context, offering insights into the map’s life as an active reference tool. The detailed depiction of buildings and their footprints reveals the density of the built environment, highlighting residential, commercial, and public structures that characterized the Upper West Side during this era.

It's important to note the artistic as well as practical elements of Bromley's work. The map's aesthetic, with its vibrant hues and detailed engravings, speaks to the artistry involved in 19th-century mapmaking. Beyond its utility, it was crafted to be visually appealing and to stand as a work of art in its own right. This map, with its combination of detailed cartographic information and appealing visual design, would have been a valuable tool for city officials, residents, and businesses alike.

The legacy of Bromley's map extends beyond its original utility; today, it serves as a window into the past, allowing us to understand the evolution of the city's landscape. For historians, urban planners, and enthusiasts of New York City's history, this map provides an irreplaceable link to the city’s urban development patterns and the history of the Upper West Side.

Warning: This map is a historical document and as such, some modern places may not be shown or may be represented under different names. Please consult contemporary maps for current geography and place names.

Neighborhoods or Regions

• Riverside Park
• Upper West Side

Streets and Roads

• Eleventh Avenue
• Tenth Avenue
• Ninth Avenue
• Eighth Avenue
• Seventh Avenue
• West 81st to West 101st Streets

Historic Landmarks and Parks

• Riverside Park

Please double check the images to make sure that a specific town or place is shown on this map. You can also get in touch and ask us to check the map for you.

This map looks great at every size, but I always recommend going for a larger size if you have space. That way you can easily make out all of the details.

This map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 70in (180cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.

The model in the listing images is holding the 24x36in (60x90cm) version of this map.

The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.

If you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my collection of the best old maps to see if something else catches your eye.

Please contact me to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.

This would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map.

This map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that suits most aesthetics. Please get in touch if you'd like a different frame colour or material. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.

For most orders, delivery time is about 3 working days. Personalised and custom made maps take longer, as I have to do the personalisation and send it to you for approval, which usually takes a day or two.

Please note that for larger framed orders (over 40in/100cm), and some other framed sizes, the delivery time will be closer to 7-10 days.

If you need your order to arrive by a certain date, please contact me before you order so that we can find the best way of making sure you get your order in time.

I print and frame maps in 22 countries around the world. This means your map will be made locally, which cuts down on delivery time and reduces the chance of your map being damaged during delivery. There won't be any extra taxes or duties to pay, and we'll put less CO2 into the air.

All of my maps are well packaged and sent in a rugged tube if unframed, or surrounded by foam if framed.

I try to send out all maps within 1 or 2 days of receiving your order, though some products (like face masks or mugs) can take longer to make.

If you select Express Delivery at checkout your order we will prioritise your order and send it out by 1-day courier (Fedex, DHL, UPS, Parcelforce).

We can sometimes do next-day delivery if you order before 10am. But usually it's best to contact me first before you order.

Read my full delivery and local production guide

My standard frame is a gallery style black ash hardwood frame. It is simple and quite modern looking. My standard frame is around 20mm (0.8in) wide.

I use super-clear acrylic (perspex/acrylite) for the frame glass. It's lighter and safer than glass - and it looks better, as the reflectivity is lower.

Six standard frame colours are available for free (black, dark brown, dark grey, oak, white and antique gold). Custom framing and mounting/matting is available if you're looking for something else.

Most maps are also available as a framed canvas. The map is printed on matte (not shiny) canvas, stretched over a box frame, and then 'floated' within a simple wood frame. The end result is quite beautiful, and there's no glazing in front of your map.

All frames are provided "ready to hang", with either a string or brackets on the back. Very large frames will have heavy duty hanging plates and/or a mounting baton. If you have any questions, please get in touch.

See some examples of my framed maps and framed canvas maps.

Alternatively, I can also supply old maps on canvas, foam board, cotton rag and other materials.

If you want to frame your map yourself, please read my map size guide first.