Estate / Collection: Collection of a New York Surveyor

BRIDGES, JOSEPH F.
Collection of fourteen manuscript field notebooks. New York: circa 1828-37. Fourteen small field notebooks variously numbered from No. 302-331, also present is a portion of notebook Np. 346. Each 6 1/4 x 4 inches (16.5 x 10 cm). Each with a plain wrapper with manuscript notebook number, dates, and description of the contents. Internally the field notebooks with dozens of pages of ink and pencil survey notes, small maps, descriptions, calculations, etc. A few with early "Indexed" stamps or markings. In well preserved original condition, some wear or detached wrappers with small losses, toning and light soiling, potential later markings, wear from use and handling.

Joseph F. Bridges (c. 1805-1883) was a surveyor who continued the work of his father, the better known William Bridges (1771-1814) who competed with John Randel to publish the Commissioner's Plan. These small notebooks were carried in the field by Joseph Bridges the notes, calculations, distances and small sketches informed the large scale surveys and manuscript maps that were made from them. Such working notebooks are scarce, especially for the Manhattan locations and prominent families mentioned herein. The present group appears to relate to a larger group of survey notebooks by the Bridges firm sold in 2014 (See Swann 8 April 2014, lot 197) which included notebooks in the disrupted numbering sequence of the present group. In that catalogue it was reported that upon Joseph Bridges' death in 1883, his collection was acquired by the rare map dealer Richard D. Cooke in 1885, and that the NYPL owns about a dozen of the notebooks. They are a trove of early information on the changing boundaries of the developing city.

The lot comprising Field Notebooks:
No. 302 September-October 1828, includes survey notes for levels in West Street, the Dock at the Harlem Bridge, etc.;
No. 304. December-April 1829, includes surveys for various prominent families in the vicinity of Greenwich Village;
No. 306 from May-July 1829 with similar survey notes and small maps in the vicinity of Greenwich Village;
No. 308 September 1829, mostly survey notes near Liberty Street;
No. 309 from September-October 1829 with survey notes and small maps in the vicinity of Maiden Lane;
No. 314, circa late 1829, with survey notes for 9th Avenue between 16th-20th Streets;
No. 315, circa 1830, with notes on levels at 34th Street from 8th- 10th Avenues, etc.;
No. 316 March 1830, with various survey notes from 11th to 125th Street;
No. 318 May-September 1830 with various survey notes of Morris and Van Cortlandt lots on Broadway, etc.;
No. 324 May-July 1832 with survey notes in the vicinity of Roosevelt Street and for several prominent families;
No. 319 September 1830 with survey notes starting at Prince and Elizabeth Streets, etc.;
No. 307 February-April 1833 with surveys in the vicinity of Beaver Street;
No. 330 July 1833 with surveys for sidewalks near Nassau and MacDougal Streets;
No. 331 August 1833 with a similar sidewalk assessment;
and No. 346 November 1836, a partial notebook only.