View Book, Long Island, Camera Sketches Pamphlet, 1904

Unique Long Island Camera Sketches
The Long Island Railroad Company, 263 Fifth Avenue, New York City: 1904
The Powers Press, 23-25-27 City Hall Place, New York (printer)
Illustrated pamphlet
6 x 8 inches, folded into paper wraps, as issued
$200

A book in pamphlet format featuring half-tone photographs of various places and notable attractions throughout Long Island. Includes “Map Showing Long Island R. R. System and Montauk Steamboat Co’s Lines.” Intended to promote Long Island for business, residential, and vacation development and settlement.

The introduction provides a short description of Long Island:

“Long Island is 130 miles long and 27 miles wide. It forms Long Island Sound and New York Harbor. It extends easterly into the Atlantic Ocean, lying directly across the path of the Summer South winds. Its fanciful resemblance to a whale is very marked, the western end, the rounded head, is occupied by Brooklyn, the tip of the South fluke by Montauk, tip of the North fluke by Orient. The flukes form Gardiner’s and Peconic Bays and protect Shelter Island. It is served by a railroad, equipped with all modern conveniences, it possesses a pure water supply, specially good drainage and uncontaminated atmospheric conditions; hence it is a territory with exceptional attractions for Recreation, Rest or Permanent Residence.”

The book is divided into sections of Central, North or Sound Shore, and South or Ocean Shore. The views provided include the Hamptons vacation resort area: Southampton – Library, Old Street and the North Sea; Water Mill – Golf Links and Power Plant; Bridgehampton – Hay Ground Mill and Sagg Lake; Sag Harbor – Rolling Country to the Westward; Wainscott – Georgica Lake; Easthampton – Beach and some Summer Homes; and Amagansett – The Wreck and Fire Place Landing.

Condition: Interior contents generally very good with the usual light toning. Some faint damp staining to right margins. The covers good with the usual wear, light staining, and fraying. Hinges at spine professionally reinforced.