Description
The Mechanics Bank of Brooklyn was founded in 1852. Its first president was Conklin Brush, who had just completed a term as Mayor of the City of Brooklyn. Harry M. De Mott (d. 1936), listed on the map as the current president, was elected to that office in April 1916 and continued as president until the bank was acquired by merger by the Brooklyn Trust Company in early 1929. Another map with the same title was issued in 1924 showing branches and stations of the Brooklyn Public Library. These facts suggest that the map shown here dates to no earlier than 1916, and probably was produced in the 1920s.
C.S. Hammond & Co. was a prominent producer of maps and globes from the late 19th century, and continues in business today. It was one of the few globe manufacturers not to move to Chicago, instead located in New York, Brooklyn and Boston.
Full publication information below title: “C.S. Hammond & Company, Inc., Engravers — Printers — Publishers, 20 Church Street, Hudson Terminal Building, New York. Based on the Official Map of the City of New York by the Board of Estimates and Apportionment. Copyright by City of New York. Copyright by C.S. Hammond & Co.”
Condition: Generally very good, the map with a glossy finish as issued, and having the usual overall light toning and wear. Some light dusting. Some light chipping to outer edges, can be matted out. Top and bottom with metal baton as issued.
References:
“Brooklyn Merger Approved.” New York Times. 5 January 1929.
“De Mott Heads Mechanics Bank.” New York Times. 5 April 1916. Online at http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9B00E3DF163BE633A25756C0A9629C946796D6CF
“Hammond’s Handy Reference Map of Brooklyn, New York City.” WorldCat. http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/66525310 (4 February 2009).
“Harry M. De Mott, Banker, 68, Is Dead.” New York Times. 18 November 1936.
Stiles, Henry Reed. A History of the City of Brooklyn: Including the OldTown and Village of Brooklyn, the Town of Bushwick, and the Village and City of Williamsburgh. Brooklyn, NY: 1869. Vol. 2, pp. 291, 295. Online at Google Books. http://books.google.com/books?id=p3MxAAAAMAAJ (4 February 2009).
