2012.004

Found in collection

Found in Collection

Museum Collections.

1859 - 1859

Date(s) Created: 1859 Date(s): 1859

Notes: archives 2012.004.0049 ==== Full printed text on billhead: Clark, Austin & Smith, Dealers in Books and Stationery, No. 3 Park Row and 3 Ann-St. Opposite the Astor House, and two doors from the American Museum (Removed from 205 Broadway.) School and Miscellaneous Books, Blank Books, Paper, &c, &c., at Wholesale. Publishers of McGuffey's Electic Series of School Books. --- This billhead with the printed dateline as "185_" was apparently in use since 1851 when the company moved to Park Row from 205 Broadway (as printed.) The vignette illustration, View From the Park, was a wood engraving by John William Orr (1815-1887) signed lower right as J.W. Orr N.Y.; signed lower left: W.Wade, Del. [deliniator]. Orr was a commercial engraver at 75 Nassau St. and while prolific, he is not very well known. The art is not dated, but it is likely from 1851. The view is south showing the narrow end of the park (that is now known as City Hall Park) where Park Row meets Broadway (right). Ann and Vesey Street corners are seen plus the vista down Broadway. The engraving is a snapshot of its time documenting the area in the early 1850s (although contemporary photographic views of this area are extant.) From right: Astor House; Leary & Co. (hatters on ground floor of Astor House; succeeded by 1860 by Hunt & Dusenberry, Men's Hatters); Saint Paul's Chapel; Barnum's American Museum (corner of Ann St. & Broadway); Stringer & Townsend (publishing firm, 222 Broadway - street level of Museum at Park Row & Ann St.); 3 Park Row - Clark, Austin & Smith, Books & Stationery; Hat Finishers Union; Trade Sale Rooms - Bangs, Brother & Co. The last company, Bangs, Brother & Co., was an auction sales business (books, art, coins, etc.) that suspended operations in a financial panic in 1857, but it was reorganized the same year and continued under the name Bangs, Merwin & Co. Status: OK Status By: dw Status Date: 2012-10-22