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Navigating Research at the Map Division: Getting Started at the New York Public Library: Collection Highlights at NYPL

Learn methods and strategies, to search for maps at NYPL's Lionel Pincus and Princess Firyal Map Division.

Introduction

At the New York Public Library, a number of collections have been acquired or donated to the Lionel Pincus and Princess Firyal Map Division. The cartographic materials from these acquisitions include a wide range of geographic space and topics of potential interest.

As an introduction, please see below for information on selected collection-based highlights that can be useful for your research, as well as information on how to access these collections.  

The collections are organized below alphabetically. 

Collection of broadside real estate maps announcing auctions of lots in early 19th century New York City

The Collection of broadside real estate maps announcing auctions of lots in early 19th century New York City was recently acquired by the division in 2016 and consists of 70 maps on 67 sheets. The collection ranges between the years 1832-1837.

These real estate maps are of research interest as - besides showing city lots - they will sometimes also include existing buildings, names of property owners, and announcements for auctions related to estates of named decedents.

This collection mostly focuses on Manhattan, and is organized according to the following neighborhoods:

You can review items that are part of this collection by viewing its finding aid in NYPL's Archive Portal:

This collection has been fully digitized and is available via NYPL Digital Collections - these items can be found in the section titled Collection of broadside real estate maps announcing auctions of lots in early 19th century New York City

Map of Chancery sale, valuable property near Washington Square, James Bleecker & Sons will sell at auction on Thursday 22d November at 12 o'clock at the Merchants Exchange under the direction of Thomas Addis Emmet Esqr., master in Chancery, the following lots of ground on the 5th Avenue & on 9th & 10th Streets

Image: Chancery sale, valuable property near Washington Square, James Bleecker & Sons will sell at auction on Thursday 22d November at 12 o'clock at the Merchants Exchange under the direction of Thomas Addis Emmet Esqr., master in Chancery, the following lots of ground on the 5th Avenue & on 9th & 10th Streets. [1832-1837]

Collection of property maps of parts of Westchester County, N.Y. : covering mostly Eastchester, Mount Vernon, and Yonkers

The Collection of property maps of parts of Westchester County, N.Y. : covering mostly Eastchester, Mount Vernon, and Yonkers consists of maps that date from 1850-1951. These maps are manuscripts, copies, or reprints of property maps that were filed with Register Offices in Westchester County.

Geographically, this collection covers mostly Eastchester, Mount Vernon, and Yonkers. The maps either depict individual property, subdivisions, or entire cities, villages, and towns. On these maps, you might also see depictions of lots, existing buildings, and names of property owners. 

This collection is geographically organized as follows: 

You can review items that are part of this collection by viewing its finding aid in NYPL's Archive Portal:

This collection is currently not digitized. 

Daniel Butterfield Collection of Civil War Maps

This collection includes both printed and manuscript maps that are dated from the Civil War. This collection was donated to the library by Mrs. Daniel Butterfield at the turn of the 20th century.

You can review items that are part of this collection by conducting the following keyword search in NYPL's Online Research Catalog:

Portions of this collection have been digitized are are available via NYPL Digital Collections - these items can be found in the section titled Daniel Butterfield Collection of Civil War Maps

Civil War map of Dec. 13th Positions of Humphreys's [sic] Division

Image: Dec. 13th Positions of Humphreys's [sic] Division. [1862]

Emmett Collection

A chart of Delaware Bay and River 1779This collection was assembled by Thomsa Addis Emmit and donated to the library in 1896 by trustee John Stuart Kennedy. This collection consists of drawings, engravings, maps, and manuscripts to the American Revolution and the early history of the United States. 

You can review items that are part of this collection by conducting the following keyword search in NYPL's Online Research Catalog:

  • "Emmet Collection" (with "Cartographic" checkmarked under "Refine Your Search" on the results page)
  • To see the full collection of material that is housed throughout several divisions throughout NYPL, please conduct the search as "Emmet Collection" 

Portions of this collections have been digitized and are available via NYPL Digital Collections - these items can be found in the section titled Cartographic Materials from the Emmet Collection of Manuscripts etc. relating to American History

Image: A chart of Delaware Bay and River. 1779

Fink Collection

The Fink Collection consists of seventeen 1959 community surveys of provincial capitals and villages in Laos.

You can review items that are part of this collection by conducting the following keyword search in NYPL's Online Research Catalog:

This collections have been digitized and are available via NYPL Digital Collections - these items can be found in the section titled Fink Collection

Pencil sketch of part of Vientiane, Laos : showing the location of the Nong-Douang TempleImage: Pencil sketch of part of Vientiane, Laos : showing the location of the Nong-Douang Temple. [1959]

The Lawrence H. Slaughter Collection of English Maps, Charts, Globes, Books and Atlases

Title page from the atlas The generall historie of Virginia, New-England, and the Summer isles: with the names of the adventurers, planters, and governours from their first beginning ano: 1584. to this present 1626.Lawrence H. Slaughter had collected approximately 600 maps, 100 atlases, and 50 books that focus on the history of English mapping of the Middle Atlantic colonies in North America, with an additional selection of Dutch maps, French maps, and cartographic materials covering regions outside the Middle Atlantic colonies. 

The Slaughter family donated this collection to the Lionel Pincus and Princess Firyal Map Division in 1998.

You can review items that are part of this collection by conducting the following keyword search in NYPL's Online Research Catalog:

Portions of this collection have been digitized and available via NYPL Digital Collections - these items can be found in the section titled Slaughter Collection.

Lastly, you can locate the finding aid online or via in-person at the reference desk at the Lionel Pincus and Princess Firyal Map Division. 

Image: Title page from The generall historie of Virginia, New-England, and the Summer isles: with the names of the adventurers, planters, and governours from their first beginning ano: 1584. to this present 1626. With the proceedings of those severall colonies and the accidents that befell them in all their journyes and discoveries. Also the maps and descriptions of all those countryes, their commodities, people, government, customes, and religion yet knowne. Divided into sixe bookes. By Captaine Iohn Smith sometymes governour in those countryes & admirall of New England. 1632

The Levine Collection

The John H. Levine Collection consists of a range of antique maps for places around the world, between the 16th and early 19th century. 

This collection was donated in 1990 by the John H. Levine estate.

You can review items that are part of this collections by conducting the following keyword search in NYPL's Online Research Catalog:

Portions of this collection have been digitized and are available via NYPL Digital Collections - these items can be found in the section titled John H. Levine Collection.

Chart of the N.W. coast of America and the N.E. coast of Asia, explored in the years 1778 and 1779.Image: Chart of the N.W. coast of America and the N.E. coast of Asia, explored in the years 1778 and 1779. 1794.