Estate / Collection: Collection of a New York Surveyor

[MAP - UNION SQUARE]
Map of the lots leased by C.T. Williams to Samuel B. Ruggles Esq. [New York: circa 1830]. Manuscript map in ink on paper, hand colored in pink, paper watermarked "J. Butler", modern linen backing. 15 1/4 x 12 1/4 inches (38.75 x 31.25 cm). Lightly soiled and toned, a few very faint spots and stains, closed tears, ink annotations on verso and on backing.

A fascinating circa 1830 manuscript survey map of lots that had been leased by the major New York City real estate developer and speculator, Samuel J. Ruggles. The map shows the area from 15th to 20th Streets, and from Fourth (now Park) Avenue to Irving Place. It includes part of Union Place, whose name Ruggles helped change to Union Square in 1831, as well as the southern edge of the area where Ruggles would build Grammercy Park. Ruggles aggressively acquired land in this neighborhood, which was then still on the city's outskirts, and helped create parkland as a way to help the his real estate become exclusive, which in turn raised his properties' values.