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Egbert Ludovicus Viele: "Topographical Atlas of the City of New York including the Annexed Territory, Showing original water courses and made land."

Monumental wall map of Manhattan and the Bronx, one of the most important maps of New York City ever published. 

Egbert L. Viele, the mapmaker, was a major figure in the history of New York. He was ardent proponent for the creation of Central Park, though his proposed design would ultimately lose out that of Frederick Law Olmstead and Calvert Vaux. He later became the Chief Engineer of Central Park and also submitted the first proposal for a New York subway system. However, his most enduring contribution to New York life is this map. 

Two decades of intensive research and surveying by Viele went into producing this map which shows the underlying structure and water courses beneath the built-up environment of the city. In essence, the colouring shows the island as it would have appeared to the first Dutch settlers. Light green indicates meadow land, while darker green represents marshland which generally coincides with rivers and streams. Areas in brown/tan are reclaimed, or 'made' land. Hills are shown using fine hachuring. 

Viele intended the map to be used for sanitation purposes in the hope that knowledge of the city's buried waterways and marshlands could help planners prevent outbreaks of diseases such as cholera, malaria, and yellow fever. The map's success is remarkable. Even today, 150 years later, engineers and architects in New York City consult the Viele map religiously before beginning construction. 

This 1874 enlarged edition with new surveys by Eugene Quackenbush is extremely scarce with only three other known copies appearing on the market in the last 20 years. 

Original hand-colour. Framed.

Dimensions

234 x 72 cm




Stock number

USA8991
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The BADA Standard

  • Since 1918, BADA has been the leading association for the antiques and fine art trade
  • Members are elected for their knowledge, integrity and quality of stock
  • Our clients are protected by BADA’s code of conduct
  • Our dealers’ membership is reviewed and renewed annually
  • Bada.org is a non-profit site: clients deal directly with members and they pay no hidden fees
Click here for more information on the BADA Standard