Clothing Store Advertising Map, Mid 19th C.
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Smith Brothers (issued for)
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An unusual advertising map of Manhattan issued by the 19th century clothing store Smith Brothers. It was issued as a folding pocket map for travelers to New York City with the hope that they would visit the store as promoted on the map.
The map shows lower and midtown Manhattan south of 65th Street, divided into wards colored in yellow, pink, green and pale orange. It shows streets and avenues, parks, squares, streams, piers, railroad lines, as well as ferry routes across the Hudson and East Rivers. Parts of Jersey City, Brooklyn, Greenpoint, and Long Island City are also included, as is Blackwells Island (later renamed Roosevelt Island). The larger map contains an inset map in upper left showing two blocks of Fulton Street between William Street and Broadway, where Smith Brothers’ men's and boys' clothiers in New York City was located at numbers 122, 138 and 140; another inset map lower right highlights Manhattan within the Greater New York area. A decorative border surrounds the map and text. A lighthearted poem above the map, and text below it, advertise the store's "unsurpassed" selection, low prices and high quality:
Those mansions of marble, oh say if thou knowest,
O'er which the gay standard of Fashion's unfurl'd!
Where the welcome is warm, and the prices are lowest,
And the Clothes are the Cheapest and Best in the World!
If not, fly at once: to Smith Brothers betake you,
They best can assist you to bear out your plan,
For they either have got, or will speedily make you,
the best Suit of Clothes ever seen upon Man!
Text lower center:
SMITH BROTHERS' Warerooms contain a Stock of CLOTHING for Men and Boys which is unsurpassed by any Establishment in the United States. All Goods warranted to be as represented. The Price is marked on each article, from which there is no DEVIATION.
Cartouche: Map of the City of New York/ Prepared expressly for/ Smith Brothers'/ One Price Clothing Warerooms/ 122, 138 & 140 Fulton Street/ New York/ 1858.
Condition: Generally very good with the usual light toning, soiling, wear. Some minor scattered brown spotting, not obtrusive. Issued as a folding map, now flattened and framed, with the usual toning and minor openings at folds and fold intersections. Original yellow printed paper covers included.