Manual of the Corporation of the City of New York, for 1851

New York: McSpedon & Baker, 1851. First. hardcover. Illustrated manual of the Corporation of the City of New York. 480 pp. with 5 fold out maps and 12 diagrams and lithographed views. Black buckram library binding with gold embossed title on spine. 12mo. Minor foxing throughout, some staining and tears to maps. Some illustrations loose. Overall very good. Maps and illustrations complete according to the "Index to the Illustrations in the Manuals of the Corporation of the City of New York", published by the Society of Iconophiles. D.T. Valentine, New York: (truncated) 1851. The "Manuals of the Corporation" were directories of extensive historical and contemporary records of New York compiled by D.T. Valentine. These books include detailed information on the meetings of the Aldermen Council, ordinances passed, public officials, the city's debts, directories of hospitals, alms houses and schools, ferry schedules, lists of public porters, demographics and census information, and descriptions of historic buildings and streets. Much of the information was gleaned from Dutch and English sources, as processed by Valentine. Notable illustrations in this edition include Schenck's 1667 view of New Amsterdam and a view of New York, 1787. Maps include the State of New York (1850), New Yorke 1695, the Bradford map redrawn, Plan of the City of New York (1791) and a contemporary city map. D.T. Valentine (1801-1869) served as the Deputy to the Clerk of the Common Council for thirty-seven years without being promoted to Clerk. Valentine took it upon himself to compile the "Manuals", which he updated and published annually from 1841-1866. Many copies were personalized for prominent officials. This compendium is an excellent source of early New York City history. (Inventory #: 265792)