This panoramic view shows some of the land selected for Central Park prior to the construction of the park. 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.

George Hayward was a New York City lithographer best known for his views and maps of New York City, including those published in D.T. Valentine's annual manuals for the city between 1841 and 1866. The manual was a directory with extensive historical and contemporary records related to New York, including ordinances, lists of public officials, ferry schedules, and the directories of hospitals and schools.

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Condition: A

Issued folding with light toning along the edges of the sheet and a couple of small chips and tears along the edges of the sheet.