"Part of ward 12, New York City," a captivating hand-colored lithograph created by G.W. Bromley in 1879, offers a detailed glimpse into the urban fabric of New York City during the late 19th century. This exquisite map showcases the intricate layout of Morningside Heights, a neighborhood renowned for its rich history and architectural splendor. The meticulous detailing of buildings, ward boundaries, and original farm lines provides a fascinating insight into the development patterns of this iconic area, making it a valuable artifact for both historians and enthusiasts of urban evolution.

The map covers 8th to 11th Avenues, from West 101 St to West 121 St.

One of the most striking features of this map is its depiction of significant landmarks such as the Leake & Watts Orphan Asylum and the Bloomingdale Insane Asylum, now the prestigious Columbia University. These institutions played pivotal roles in the social and architectural history of New York City, and their presence on the map underscores the area's importance as a hub of educational and social services. The map's annotations and detailed representation of these landmarks offer a unique window into the past, highlighting the evolution of these institutions over time.

The inclusion of prominent parks like Morningside Park and Riverside Park adds another layer of historical significance to this map. These green spaces were crucial in shaping the urban landscape, providing much-needed recreational areas for the city's residents. The map's detailed portrayal of these parks, complete with original water courses and block dimensions, reflects the importance of urban planning and the city's commitment to creating a balanced environment that catered to both residential and recreational needs.

The map also intricately details the network of streets and avenues that crisscrossed the area, including notable thoroughfares such as Amsterdam Avenue, Riverside Drive, and Claremont Avenue. This comprehensive depiction of the city's infrastructure not only highlights the complexity of urban development but also serves as a testament to the meticulous planning that went into creating a functional and accessible city. The inclusion of fire hydrants, steam and street railways, and water mains further underscores the map's utility as a tool for urban management and planning.

G.W. Bromley's expertise as a mapmaker is evident in the precision and artistry of this map. Known for his detailed atlases of urban areas, Bromley's work remains a valuable resource for understanding the historical and architectural evolution of cities. This map of part of ward 12, New York City, is a prime example of his craftsmanship, offering a rich tapestry of historical data that continues to captivate and inform. Whether for its historical value, artistic merit, or urban insights, this map is a remarkable addition to any collection.

Streets and roads on this map

• 10th Avenue
• 11th Avenue
• 12th Avenue
• 8th Avenue
• 9th Avenue
• West 101 St to West 121 St.
• Amsterdam Avenue
• Bloomingdale Road
• Boulevard
• Claremont Avenue
• Columbus Avenue
• Convent Avenue
• Edgecombe Avenue
• Eleventh Avenue
• Grant Avenue
• Manhattan Avenue
• Morningside Avenue
• New Avenue
• Riverside Avenue
• Riverside Drive

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Leake & Watts Orphan Asylum
• Bloomingdale Insane Asylum
• Morningside Heights neighborhood
• Morningside Park
• Riverside Park

Historical and design context

• Name of the map: Part of ward 12, New York City.
• Hand colored lithographed map: The map is hand-colored, which was a common practice at the time to distinguish different areas and features.
• Maps in the atlas show:
• Buildings
• Fire hydrants
• Steam and street railways
• Original water courses
• Original farm lines
• Ward boundaries
• Water mains
• Block dimensions
• When the map was made: 1879
• Mapmaker or publisher: G.W. Bromley
• Context about the mapmaker: G.W. Bromley was known for creating detailed atlases of urban areas, particularly in the northeastern United States. His maps are valuable historical resources for understanding urban development in the 19th century.
• Topics and themes shown on the map:
• Urban development: Detailed depiction of buildings and infrastructure in part of ward 12, New York City.
• Public institutions: Includes notable institutions like the Leake & Watts Orphan Asylum and Bloomingdale Insane Asylum.
• Parks and recreation: Shows large parks such as Morningside Park and Riverside Park.
• Countries and regions shown on the map: New York City, United States
• Context about the design or style of the map: The map is a hand-colored lithograph, which was a popular method in the 19th century for producing detailed and colorful maps.
• Historical significance or context of the map: The map provides a snapshot of urban development in New York City in the late 19th century, showing the layout of streets, buildings, and significant public institutions of the time.

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.

This map is also available as a float framed canvas, sometimes known as a shadow gap framed canvas or canvas floater. The map is printed on artist's cotton canvas and then stretched over a handmade box frame. We then "float" the canvas inside a wooden frame, which is available in a range of colours (black, dark brown, oak, antique gold and white). This is a wonderful way to present a map without glazing in front. See some examples of float framed canvas maps and explore the differences between my different finishes.

For something truly unique, this map is also available in "Unique 3D", our trademarked process that dramatically transforms the map so that it has a wonderful sense of depth. We combine the original map with detailed topography and elevation data, so that mountains and the terrain really "pop". For more info and examples of 3D maps, check my Unique 3D page.

Many of our maps and art prints are chosen as thoughtful gifts for homes, offices, studies and meaningful places.

Choose a framed option for the easiest ready-to-hang gift, or choose an unframed print if the recipient may prefer to select their own frame.

We make orders locally in 23 countries around the world, so gifts can often be produced close to the recipient. This helps them arrive faster, travel more safely, and avoid customs or import duty surprises.

• We can deliver directly to the recipient
• Framed pieces arrive ready to hang
• Unframed prints are carefully packed in a strong protective tube
• Almost every order is made locally, for faster, safer gifting
• 90-day returns give the recipient time to decide

If you are not sure what to choose, please contact us. We can help you pick the right map, size, finish or delivery option.

Most orders are made locally and delivered in around 2–3 working days, depending on the product, size and destination.

We print and frame maps and artwork in 23 countries around the world, so your order is usually made close to you or your recipient. That means faster delivery, less time in transit, and no customs or import duty surprises.

Personalised and customised pieces usually take an extra 1–2 working days, because we prepare your design and send it to you for approval before printing.

Very large framed orders can take a little longer, as they need extra care in production and delivery.

Every order is carefully packaged: unframed prints are sent in a strong protective tube, while framed pieces are securely packed with protective materials around the frame.

If you need your order by a particular date, please contact us before ordering. We’ll check the best production route and delivery option for your location.

Express delivery is available at checkout for most countries. Next-day delivery is available in the UK, US, Singapore and the UAE.

Your order is covered by our 90-day returns policy and 5-year guarantee.

Read our 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, art and illustrations are also available as a framed canvas. We use matte (not shiny) cotton canvas, stretch it over a sustainably sourced box wood frame, and then 'float' the piece within a wood frame. The end result is quite beautiful, and there's no glazing to get in the way.

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 and artwork on canvas, foam board, cotton rag and other materials.

If you want to frame your map or artwork yourself, please read my 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 order for any reason, contact me and I'll get it fixed ASAP, free of charge. Please see my returns and refund policy for more information.

I am very confident you will like your restored map or art print. I have been doing this since 1984. I'm a 5-star Etsy seller. I have sold tens of thousands of maps and art prints and have over 5,000 real 5-star reviews. My work has been featured in interior design magazines, on the BBC, and on the walls of dozens of 5-star hotels.

I use a unique process to restore maps and artwork that is massively time consuming and labour intensive. Hunting down the original maps and illustrations can take months. I use state of the art and eye-wateringly expensive technology to scan and restore them. As a result, I guarantee my maps and art prints are a cut above the rest. I stand by my products and will always make sure you're 100% happy with what you receive.

Almost all of my maps and art prints 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.