New York Old Map

This 19th-century map was published in 1866 by A.J. Johnson, in New York. Alvin J. Johnson became involved in publishing not long before the production of this map in 1860. After selling maps for many years, Johnson finally realized that making maps could be far more profitable than selling them and thus began in the journey of American cartography. One of his most known maps was not a single map, but an atlas or a collection of maps referred to as Johnson’s New Illustrated Family Atlas, With Descriptions Geographical, Statistical and Historical, which ran from 1860-1887. This book included many revisions and editions and became a staple for many Americans’ knowledge of maps and geography.

This map features a full-color palette of grey, white, black, and wash tones, with the addition of red, diluted tones of red, and green to accentuate various areas and districts of the borough. When looking through this old map, you can spot Bedford, South Brooklyn, New Brooklyn, Willismdburgh, The Hudson River, Bloomingdale, Wards Island, and many other interesting landmarks, and New York, north of central park and New Jersey.

The sheet measures 27.1 inches in height and 18 inches in width. The map measures 21.75 inches in height and 15.25 inches in width.

The map displays oxidation and toning to the sheet. The edges display creasing and edge loss on the corners.