Stokes, Isaac Newton Phelps | “Most elaborate and comprehensive history of New York City” (Howes)

Stokes, Isaac Newton Phelps

The Iconography of Manhattan Island... New York: Robert H. Dodd, 1915-28.

6 vols, 8vo (283 x 206 mm). Uncut. Photogravure plates under tissue guards, original binder's announcement slip laid in vol. 1; the contents fresh and bright. Original full mottled roan by the Rose Bindery, the covers with gilt seals of New Amsterdam and the City of New York with gilt-ruled borders and rosettes at corners, spine in six compartments with gilt bands, title and author gilt lettered in 2nd and 4th compartments, with date and location at foot, top edge gilt; boards lightly rubbed with a few scuffs, some wear to joints and extremities, a small loss to foot of spine of vol. 4 affecting the date. 

First edition of Stokes’ heavily researched and profusely illustrated work on Manhattan’s historical views.

One of a limited edition of 360 copies printed on English hand-made paper, with 42 additional copies on Japanese vellum. Amassing nearly 600 plates in total, Iconography features maps, views, and documents in its purpose to "collect, to condense, and to arrange systematically and in just proportion...the facts and incidents which are of the greatest consequence and interest in the history of New York City".

REFERENCES

Howes S1026