Catalog Archive
Auction 173, Lot 148

Early Plan of Central Park

"Plan of the Central Park, City of New York, 1860", Hayward, George

Subject: New York City, New York

Period: 1860 (dated)

Publication: Valentine's Manual

Color: Hand Color

Size:
18.1 x 5.6 inches
46 x 14.2 cm
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This attractive plan of Central Park was issued in Valentine's Manual of the Corporation of the City of New York for 1860. It shows the entire park, bounded by 59th and 110th streets, and locates the Carriage Road, lakes, numerous trails, structures, and more.

The New York State assembly approved the creation of Central Park in 1853, which was the first urban recreation park in the United States. It consisted of over 800 acres of mostly swampy land from that required highly detailed surveying in order to transform the land into usable park space. Egbert Viele completed surveying work in 1856, Frederick Law Olmstead designed the park in 1857, and construction began in 1859. It remains one of the most beautiful and iconic parks in the world.

References:

Condition: A

Issued folding with a hint of offsetting.

Estimate: $200 - $250

Sold for: $130

Closed on 6/5/2019

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