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Offered together is an interesting group of four 19th-century stereoviews of Central Park, New York, all featuring the park's lake, wooden rowboats and early recreational boating facilities.
I have kept these four together because they form an especially attractive small photographic study of boating in early Central Park. The views show wooden boats at the lake and boat landings, a rustic bridge, park visitors, shoreline landscaping and the surrounding park.
The four stereoviews are from several different period publishers/series and include:
1. Surdam & White – American Views
805 Broadway, New York.
A particularly attractive view showing a rustic wooden bridge over the water, a small wooden boat beneath the bridge, several people on the bridge and a seated figure on a rock at the water's edge.
2. American Scenery – “Boat Landing”
An excellent close view of one of the Central Park boat landings, showing numerous wooden rowboats, the dock and covered landing structure. A wonderful early view of recreational boating in the park.
3. Central Park Lake and Boats – black mount
An atmospheric view looking across the lake with several wooden boats along the near shore, a man standing beside the boats and another boat on the lake.
4. Popular Series / American Views
A close view of a group of wooden rowboats gathered along a quiet section of the Central Park shoreline.
Another has a detailed “Central Park, N.Y.” catalogue listing many park views.
Of particular interest is the period label:
“CENTRAL PARK NEW YORK.
No. 7261, '62, '63, '64, '65, '66.
THE LAKE AND BOATS.
Published by E. & H. T. ANTHONY & CO.
Emporium of American and Foreign Stereoscopic Views, Chromos and Albums,
591 Broadway, opposite Metropolitan Hotel, New York.”
E. & H. T. Anthony & Co. was one of the most important American photographic publishers of the 19th century.
These views provide a fascinating glimpse of Central Park during the early decades of the park, when its lake, rustic structures and boating facilities were important recreational attractions.
Condition
All four are original antique stereoviews and show varying degrees of age-related wear, including toning, fading, spotting, staining, edge and corner wear and surface marks.
One mount with the E. & H. T. Anthony & Co. “The Lake and Boats” label has several noticeable creases through the card. Other individual imperfections can be seen in the photographs.
Despite their age and wear, the photographic images retain considerable detail, particularly the boats, landing structures, bridge, people and surrounding landscape.
Please examine all photographs carefully, including the photographs of the reverses, as they form an important part of the condition description.
All four stereoviews are being sold together as one lot.
A particularly appealing group for collectors of Central Park, New York City photography, stereoviews, early recreational history, or antique wooden boats.
