Matthew Dripps's rare pocket map depicts Manhattan in stunning detail from 135th Street in Harlem south to the Battery. In 1851, Dripps published two real estate maps of the city that were the first printed maps to record individual lots and buildings. This map continues his project of mapping the city, capturing Manhattan in a period of major expansion and development to its infrastructure. The city is shown here in block format with streets named, along with docks, parks, and some buildings (among them Bellevue Hospital, Fifth Avenue Hotel, Columbia College, and various asylums). Central Park is prominently mapped according to the Olmsted-Vaux "Greensward Plan," with modifications. At the time of publication, Olmsted and Vaux had resigned after clashes with park commissioner Andrew Haswell Green (they would return to the project in 1865) and the park's northern extension was still under construction. Unlike the later and less desirable 1865 edition of this map, there is no sign of Harlem Meer, the Casino, or many place names that would later appear. The map extends to include parts of Weehawken, Hoboken, Jersey City, Brooklyn, and Queens, with numerous ferries linking Manhattan to Brooklyn and New Jersey and soundings throughout the water. Manhattan's history is reflected by the names and tracts of its original landowners, which have been superimposed over the contemporary city plan. A vignette rendering of the city seal decorates the top right corner of the map. While the 1865 version of this map is relatively common, we have only seen a couple examples of this 1863 version on the market. In addition to its more nascent view of Central Park, this early edition features much more detail. Issued on thin, banknote-style paper. Folds into dark brown cloth boards (3.5 x 5.0") with gilt title on the front cover.

References: Rumsey #3428.

Condition: B+

Issued folding with full contemporary color. There are a few short separations at the fold junctions, light offsetting, and a bit of foxing at top left.