Description
This view was issued as two-sided self-folding pocket map (without covers). The front view (as well as the backside) promotes Rogers, Peet & Co., wholesale and retail clothiers in what is the present-day Soho section of Lower Manhattan. The upper margin of the view front also promotes Leland’s Sturtevant House, a large hotel on Broadway between 28th and 29th Streets. The lower margin of the view contains a key to 24 landmark buildings and geographical entities, which can be located on the map by the corresponding letters and numbers imprinted in the upper and right margins.
On the back of the view is printed a “Strangers’ Guide to New York,” divided into six panels designed to provide information to travelers to the City. Unfolded, the lower center panel features an ad for Rogers, Peet & Co., with an illustration of the building at 569-575 Broadway. The other panels are filled with helpful text for the visitor, including a section on “How to See New York in One Week.”
The publisher Root & Tinker was a prolific New York City publisher of trade journals, separately issued prints, broadsides and trade cards. They produced general interest subjects that could be imprinted with company names to be used as advertising promotions. The Library of Congress has another version of this particular view in its collection, printed with the additional colors of blue and green and with different advertising copy in the lower margin, stating it was offered as a premium to subscribers of one of Root & Tinker’s trade publications, The Clothier & Hatter. Read more about Root & Tinker.
Condition: Generally very good with the usual overall light toning, wear, handling. Advertising text verso, as issued. Folds as issued with minor separations at outer edges, and few other short tears and nicks, repaired verso with archival filmoplast. Now floated in associated 19th century wooden frame. Frame with usual wear to finish, minor chipping, handling, indentations, abrasions, etc.
References:
“New York.” Library of Congress. http://www.loc.gov/item/75694817 (24 September 2015).
