Description
The backside of the map is imprinted with various information about the restaurant and folds with a section that forms a pamphlet cover to the map overall. It is titled “A colorful informative map of New York’s Greenwich Village. Your introduction to the Left Bank of America , the most colorful part of the world’s biggest city.” Also appearing on the backside is an advertisement for the restaurant’s “All You Can Eat” specials, and an article from the New York Daily News giving the history of the restaurant from its original opening in 1868. The backside also has an extensive promotional text, extolling the virtues of visiting Greenwich Village:
Picturesque Greenwich village – where the quaint rubs shoulders with the avant-garde … where bearded poets still sip wine at the sidewalk cafe … and artists turn a city park into an open air gallery with music.
You’ll see much to amaze, astonish and delight you in “the Village.” There are vigorous plays in exciting off-Broadway theatres … antique stores with finds … arts and crafts shops where tomorrow’s biggest names make and sell ultra modern art, gifts, jewelry, furniture.
There are historical buildings like the one where Tom Paine wrote “the summer soldier and the sunshine patriot” — words that still ring in your ears … And of course, there’s the oldest Village landmark with its miniature Eiffel Tower – Albert’s French Restaurant, 42 E. 11th St., corner of University Place. Albert’s features a gay summertime sidewalk cafe … an attractive year-round art exhibit … and a unique ‘all you can eat’ policy … so important to the hungry bohemians of Greenwich Village, so satisfying to you.
The Albert French Restaurant was owned at the time of the issue of the map by the famous New York restaurateur Joseph Brody, a shameless promoter who declared himself a genius-in-residence.” The tour of Greenwich Village emanating from outside the restaurant apparently was a major distribution place for the offered map brochure, and has been described as follows:
Outside, customers could board the “Loconik”, a surrealist, Salvador Dalí-designed conveyance –- a locomotive with a two-car train, later a converted school bus — to take a free guided tour of Greenwich Village. Like so much with the restaurant, these ‘daily’ tours ran — or not — at the whim of the proprietor. Publicity stunts came aplenty with Brody, such as the restaurant’s annual poetry contest “judged by Broadway stars,” and a green-bearded Santa Claus. Brody reputedly retained seven publicists to keep the restaurant’s name –- and his –- in the press.
Condition: Generally very good with the usual overall light toning, handling, wear, soft creases Printed on both sides, and folds as issued.
References:
“Restaurant” The Hotel Albert. http://thehotelalbert.com/restaurant.html (14 February 2025).
“The New York Public Library /The Jefferson Market Courthouse / Library Archive, 1800’s – present.” Google Docs. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dorIvlSZR-j_UxHAZAIvofnAF9_ORCZ87B5ypc6xGzk/edit?tab=t.0 (14 February 2025).
