May 1, 2024 10:00 EST
Rare Books, Autographs & Maps
130
Goerck's 1785 working survey of the Common Lands that became Fifth Avenue
Estate / Collection: Collection of New York Surveyor
[MAP-NEW YORK]
[GOERCK, CASIMIR, attributed to]. A manuscript survey of the Manhattan Common Lands, dated 1785. A manuscript survey plan in ink on joined sheets, with irregular edges but the image substantially complete, unsigned and untitled but with a preserved manuscript strip reading "Done in the year 1785." Laid down to a large rectangular linen backing. About 74 x 27 inches (188 x 68.5 cm). Small losses where folded and elsewhere, stains and spotting, the main image substantially complete but the map edges irregular as noted with some loss of manuscript, sold as is.
This large working plan shows the Common Lands on Manhattan surveyed in 1785 by Casimir Goerck, the layout that became Fifth Avenue. In the early Federal period, after eight years of British occupation during the Revolutionary War, the City's finances were in disarray. The City had no real power to tax individuals and could only raise money through fees relating to wharfing, recording marriages, deaths, and births, and by leasing its vast lands. The City could also sell lots of its land and in 1785 decided to divide the Common Lands, a large, unimproved, land-locked landmass of about 1200 acres, into five-acre parcels. The Common Lands were about two miles north of the developed part of the city, its southernmost point at about the intersection of today's Fifth Avenue and 23rd Street at Madison Square Park, and reached to the lands known as Harlem. The surveyor chosen for this project was Casimir Goerck.
The map shows where the Middle Road extends from the where the Bloomingdale and Post Roads diverge. At the southern end, larger farms owned by the Semler and Van Orden families are indicated and to the northeast lands beloging to the Beekman family. This is likely a working draft of the final plan Goerck submitted to the City in December 1785, with the Common Lands divided to about 150 parcels. The Middle Road later became Fifth Avenue on the Commissioners plan of 1811 and eventually the most iconic street in New York City.
Sold for $1,920
Estimated at $2,000 - $3,000
Includes Buyer's Premium
Estate / Collection: Collection of New York Surveyor
[MAP-NEW YORK]
[GOERCK, CASIMIR, attributed to]. A manuscript survey of the Manhattan Common Lands, dated 1785. A manuscript survey plan in ink on joined sheets, with irregular edges but the image substantially complete, unsigned and untitled but with a preserved manuscript strip reading "Done in the year 1785." Laid down to a large rectangular linen backing. About 74 x 27 inches (188 x 68.5 cm). Small losses where folded and elsewhere, stains and spotting, the main image substantially complete but the map edges irregular as noted with some loss of manuscript, sold as is.
This large working plan shows the Common Lands on Manhattan surveyed in 1785 by Casimir Goerck, the layout that became Fifth Avenue. In the early Federal period, after eight years of British occupation during the Revolutionary War, the City's finances were in disarray. The City had no real power to tax individuals and could only raise money through fees relating to wharfing, recording marriages, deaths, and births, and by leasing its vast lands. The City could also sell lots of its land and in 1785 decided to divide the Common Lands, a large, unimproved, land-locked landmass of about 1200 acres, into five-acre parcels. The Common Lands were about two miles north of the developed part of the city, its southernmost point at about the intersection of today's Fifth Avenue and 23rd Street at Madison Square Park, and reached to the lands known as Harlem. The surveyor chosen for this project was Casimir Goerck.
The map shows where the Middle Road extends from the where the Bloomingdale and Post Roads diverge. At the southern end, larger farms owned by the Semler and Van Orden families are indicated and to the northeast lands beloging to the Beekman family. This is likely a working draft of the final plan Goerck submitted to the City in December 1785, with the Common Lands divided to about 150 parcels. The Middle Road later became Fifth Avenue on the Commissioners plan of 1811 and eventually the most iconic street in New York City.
[NEW YORK-SURVEY MAP]
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Auction: Rare Books, Autographs & Maps, May 1, 2024
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Auction of Rare Books, Autographs & Maps on May 1, 2024 Totals $1.2 Million
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A Medieval Manuscript Rules of St. Augustine Achieves $102k
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Consignments Are Currently Being Accepted for Future Auctions
NEW YORK, NY -- Competitive bidding at Doyle’s May 1, 2024 auction of Rare Books, Autographs & Maps drove strong prices and a sale total that topped $1.2 million, surpassing expectations.
Featured in the sale was a fascinating selection of early manuscripts that achieved exceptional results. Highlighting the group was a 14th century manuscript of the Rules of St. Augustine from an English priory that soared over its $8,000-12,000 estimate to realize a stunning $102,100. The Rule of St. Augustine is among the earliest of all monastic rules, created about 400, and it was an influence on all that succeeded it. Other notable results included a 14th century Etymologiae of St. Isidore estimated at $5,000-8,000 that achieved $51,200 and a 15th century Prayer Book of Jehan Bernachier estimated at $10,000-15,000 that sold for $28,800.
A first edition of John James Audubon's octavo Birds of America sold for $41,600, far over its $25,000-35,000 estimate. Published in 1840-1844 in seven volumes, the first octavo edition was the final Birds of America publication overseen by Audubon in his lifetime.
The Fred Rotondaro Collection offered rare books and manuscripts on a range of subjects touching the African American experience in the United States over three centuries. A first edition copy of Frederick Douglass’ 1876 speech at the unveiling of the Freedman's Monument in Washington realized $12,800, far exceeding its $3,000-5,000 estimate. A first edition of the first issue of Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin from 1852 also achieved $12,800.
Highlighting the range of offerings from the Ken Harte Collection of Natural History was a first edition Richard Bowdler Sharpe’s beautifully illustrated monograph of Kingfishers, 1868-71, that sold for $14,080, doubling its $6,000-8,000 estimate. It was accompanied by an inscribed copy of the rare unfinished chapter on the anatomy of the kingfisher by James Murie.
We Invite You to Auction!
Consignments are currently being accepted for future auctions. We invite you to contact us for a complimentary auction evaluation. Our Specialists are always available to discuss the sale of a single item or an entire collection.
For information, please contact Peter Costanzo at 212-427-4141 ext 248, Edward Ripley-Duggan at ext 234, or Noah Goldrach at ext 226, or email Books@Doyle.com
