Previous image preload Next image preload
Back to catalog
Lot 177
image_0 image_1 image_2
19th C. map illustrating the Rev. War Battle of Harlem Heights.
19th C. map illustrating the Rev. War Battle of Harlem Heights.
image_0 image_1 image_2
Description:

Revolutionary War -

Map illustrating the Battle of Harlem Heights in the Revolutionary War.

Lithograph printed on waxed paper, "Map of the Upper Part of the Island of Manhattan Above Eighty-Sixth Street Arranged to Illustrate the Battle of Harlem Heights", prepared and printed by W.C. Rogers & Co. for the 1868 edition of Joseph Shannon's Manual of the Corporation of the City of New York. Black and white map shows 1776 historical battle lines superimposed over topographical and circa 1868 street view of northern Manhattan. Exact battle positions of British and Continental armed forces are marked with vivid red and cobalt blue color accents. In fine to very fine condition, with expected paper folds and minor tears. Left edge was trimmed and later margin added. One crease professionally reinforced verso. Ghost impressions from titles throughout. Plate size 23.125" x 14.875".

Continental and British combatants engaged in the Battle of Harlem Heights in mid-September 1776. The British had defeated American forces earlier in the summer at the Battles of Long Island and Brooklyn. Even though the Battle of Harlem Heights was a Patriot victory, General George Washington decided to evacuate his troops to upstate New York. In the vacuum of Washington's triumphant army, New York City was left to the British. The map clearly illustrates where the Battle of Harlem Heights took place within the narrow strip of land sandwiched between the Hudson and Harlem Rivers, specifically in the mid-nineteenth-century neighborhoods of Bloomingdale and Manhattanville, and between modern day 8th and 10th Avenues.

Joseph Shannon and W.C. Rogers collaborated on several maps, almanacs, and illustrated histories during the mid-nineteenth century, most notably Manual of the Corporation of the City of New York, of which this map was a part.

A beautiful example of mid-nineteenth century cartography methods commemorating the ninety-second anniversary of the Revolutionary War battle!

Provenance: This item was recently discovered in an extra illustrated volume of "History of the City of New York" by Mary L. Booth, New York W. R. C. Clark, 1867. The monumental task of expanding the original two volumes to twenty-one volumes was given to Emery E. Childs, Esquire of New York City. A lovely india ink drawing of Mary L. Booth annotated "presented by her to E E C" in pencil appears in volume one of this work. Next to the title page we find an original letter of Booth to Childs dated April 4, 1872: "I am in receipt of your favor of the 4th inst., and am grateful to hear that you are taking the trouble to illustrate my History of the City of New York in the manner you describe. I shall be happy to see you, should you favor me with a call as I am usually in my office during business hours and should be pleased to facilitate your Enterprise by any means in my power".

It is assumed that the book took several years to assemble, at which point, presumably through Childs, it made its way to Senator Charles B. Farwell of Chicago who took the seat of John A. Logan in 1887. Farwell had an extensive library that fortunately survived the great Chicago fire in 1871, having been housed in his Lakeside home. In the American Bibliopolist of November 1871 there is an article about the devastation to libraries caused by the tragedy. "Mr C. B. Farwell's library is also fortunately far out from the city, at his country house, and is safe. The same remark will also apply to the extensive collection of books and curiosities belonging to Mr. E. E. Childs." This establishes the Chicago connection between Childs and Farwell.

That these letters were preserved for over 140 years, and have never been on the market for that period, is remarkable on many levels. The collection's mostly pristine state of preservation is due to its being wedged in these volumes.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. ***PLEASE NOTE: IF YOU WOULD LIKE YOUR SHIPMENT TO BE SENT TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN THE ONE YOU HAVE ON FILE WITH INVALUABLE, YOU WILL NEED TO INFORM US OF THIS AS SOON AS PAYMENT IS SUBMITTED FOR YOUR WINNINGS*** Shipping and handling costs are competitive as we maintain discounted contracts with FedEx. If you have any questions, contact University Archives prior to bidding. After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 5 business days following receipt of full payment for item. We currently ship via FedEx but if your purchase is shipping to a P.O. Box, we ship via USPS. All items are insured. We ship from our offices in Westport, CT. We may opt to use a third party shipper for very fragile, bulky or oversized items. Items requiring third party shipping will be denoted in the item description. Packages shipped internationally will have full value declared on shipping form. International buyers will be responsible for any customs fees incurred.

Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Westport, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 20% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000