Rare Old Map of Upper East Side, NYC, 1879: Carnegie Hill, Yorkville, East 86th St to East 95th St

This exquisite 1879 map, "Part of Ward 12, New York City," is a hand-colored lithographed map that provides a detailed view of the Yorkville and Carnegie Hill neighborhoods of the Upper East Side during a transformative time in the city's history. Published by G.W. Bromley, this map is a significant artifact, showcasing the intricate details of urban development in the late 19th century. It features the layout of streets, buildings, railways, and notable institutions, such as St. Joseph's Orphan Asylum and the Institution of the Good Shepherd, offering a snapshot of the community's infrastructure.

The map highlights the original water courses, farm lines, ward boundaries, and even the locations of fire hydrants, emphasizing the precision and comprehensive nature of Bromley's work. The presence of steam and street railways on the map not only tells us about the transportation of the time but also the industrial progress that characterized the era. The inclusion of water mains and block dimensions further underscores the depth of detail captured by Bromley.

One of the map's distinguishing features is its vivid depiction of Yorkville, a neighborhood that has undergone significant changes over the years. The 2nd Ave. railway depots, prominently marked, indicate the bustling nature of the area, hinting at its role as a hub of movement and commerce. The map is also annotated and includes an affixed newspaper clipping, which may provide additional context on the socio-economic conditions of the time.

The style of the map, with its hand coloring, serves not only a functional purpose, delineating various features, but also adds an aesthetic quality that makes this map as much a work of art as it is a document of history. Collectors and enthusiasts of cartography will appreciate the care taken in restoring this map, preserving its historical value while making it suitable for contemporary display.

This map serves as an invaluable resource for historians, researchers, and anyone interested in the evolution of New York City's urban landscape. It represents a moment in time when New York was rapidly growing and changing, laying the groundwork for the metropolis we know today.

Warning: Please note that this is a historical map and may not reflect current geographic realities. Some modern places may not be shown, or they may be depicted under different names relevant to the period.

Neighborhoods and Regions:

• Yorkville
• Carnegie Hill

Streets and Avenues:

• East 86th St.
• East 87th St.
• East 88th St.
• East 89th St.
• East 90th St.
• East 91st St.
• East 92nd St.
• East 93rd St.
• East 94th St.
• East 95th St.
• 3rd Ave.
• Lexington Ave.
• 4th Ave.
• Madison Ave.
• Park Ave.

Historic Landmarks and Parks:

• St. Joseph's Orphan Asylum
• Institution of the Good Shepherd
• 2nd Ave. Railway Depots

Please double check the images to make sure that a specific town or place is shown on this map. You can also get in touch and ask us to check the map for you.

This map looks great at every size, but I always recommend going for a larger size if you have space. That way you can easily make out all of the details.

This map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 70in (180cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.

The model in the listing images is holding the 24x36in (60x90cm) version of this map.

The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.

If you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my collection of the best old maps to see if something else catches your eye.

Please contact me to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.

This would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map.

This map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that suits most aesthetics. Please get in touch if you'd like a different frame colour or material. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.

For most orders, delivery time is about 3 working days. Personalised and custom made maps take longer, as I have to do the personalisation and send it to you for approval, which usually takes a day or two.

Please note that for larger framed orders (over 40in/100cm), and some other framed sizes, the delivery time will be closer to 7-10 days.

If you need your order to arrive by a certain date, please contact me before you order so that we can find the best way of making sure you get your order in time.

I print and frame maps in 22 countries around the world. This means your map will be made locally, which cuts down on delivery time and reduces the chance of your map being damaged during delivery. There won't be any extra taxes or duties to pay, and we'll put less CO2 into the air.

All of my maps are well packaged and sent in a rugged tube if unframed, or surrounded by foam if framed.

I try to send out all maps within 1 or 2 days of receiving your order, though some products (like face masks or mugs) can take longer to make.

If you select Express Delivery at checkout your order we will prioritise your order and send it out by 1-day courier (Fedex, DHL, UPS, Parcelforce).

We can sometimes do next-day delivery if you order before 10am. But usually it's best to contact me first before you order.

Read my full delivery and local production guide

My standard frame is a gallery style black ash hardwood frame. It is simple and quite modern looking. My standard frame is around 20mm (0.8in) wide.

I use super-clear acrylic (perspex/acrylite) for the frame glass. It's lighter and safer than glass - and it looks better, as the reflectivity is lower.

Six standard frame colours are available for free (black, dark brown, dark grey, oak, white and antique gold). Custom framing and mounting/matting is available if you're looking for something else.

Most maps are also available as a framed canvas. The map is printed on matte (not shiny) canvas, stretched over a box frame, and then 'floated' within a simple wood frame. The end result is quite beautiful, and there's no glazing in front of your map.

All frames are provided "ready to hang", with either a string or brackets on the back. Very large frames will have heavy duty hanging plates and/or a mounting baton. If you have any questions, please get in touch.

See some examples of my framed maps and framed canvas maps.

Alternatively, I can also supply old maps on canvas, foam board, cotton rag and other materials.

If you want to frame your map yourself, please read my map size guide first.

My maps are extremely high quality reproductions of original maps.

I source original, rare maps from libraries, auction houses and private collections around the world, restore them at my London workshop, and then use specialist giclée inks and printers to create beautiful maps that look even better than the original.

My maps are printed on acid-free archival matte (not glossy) paper that feels very high quality and almost like card. In technical terms the paper weight/thickness is 10mil/200gsm. It's perfect for framing.

I print with Epson ultrachrome giclée UV fade resistant pigment inks - some of the best inks you can find.

I can also make maps on canvas, cotton rag and other exotic materials.

Learn more about The Unique Maps Co.

Map personalisation

If you're looking for the perfect anniversary or housewarming gift, I can personalise your map to make it truly unique. For example, I can add a short message, or highlight an important location, or add your family's coat of arms.

The options are almost infinite. Please see my map personalisation page for some wonderful examples of what's possible.

To order a personalised map, select "personalise your map" before adding it to your basket.

Get in touch if you're looking for more complex customisations and personalisations.

Map ageing

I have been asked hundreds of times over the years by customers if they could buy a map that looks even older.

Well, now you can, by selecting Aged before you add a map to your basket.

All the product photos you see on this page show the map in its Original form. This is what the map looks like today.

If you select Aged, I will age your map by hand, using a special and unique process developed through years of studying old maps, talking to researchers to understand the chemistry of aging paper, and of course... lots of practice!

If you're unsure, stick to the Original colour of the map. If you want something a bit darker and older looking, go for Aged.

See some amazing examples of Aged maps.

If you are not happy with your unique map for any reason, contact me for a no-quibble refund.

I am very confident you will like your old map. I have been doing this since 1984. I'm a 5-star Etsy seller. I have sold tens of thousands of maps and have over 4,000 real 5-star reviews.

I use a unique process to restore my maps that is massively time consuming and labour intensive. Hunting down the original maps can take months. I use state of the art and eye-wateringly expensive technology to scan and restore the maps. As a result, I guarantee my maps are a cut above the rest - that's why I can offer a no-quibble refund.

Almost all of my maps look amazing at large sizes (200cm, 6.5ft+) and I can frame and deliver them to you as well, via special oversized courier. Contact me to discuss your specific needs.