1855 New-York City & County Map with Vicinity entire Brooklyn Williamsburgh Jersey City & c. by Charles Magnus

This is a beautiful hand-colored map titled “New York City & County Map with Vicinity entire Brooklyn, Williamsburgh, Jersey City &c.” The work was published in 1855 by Charles Magnus, one of the best known and most prosperous printers in the mid to late 19th century. The map was issued to commemorate the signing of the Declaration of Independence.  Turned clockwise so that cardinal west is at the top of the map, this is an unusual and attractive depiction of the city. The map depicts the entirety of Manhattan as well as most of Brooklyn, Bedford-Stuyvesant, Williamsburg, Greenpoint, Queens, Ravenswood, Astoria, Jersey City and Hoboken. An inset map at the bottom center details Long Island. The map is rendered in extraordinary detail, with special attention given to individual streets, blocks, parks and even important buildings. Magnus shows the beginnings of Hunters Point, or Long Island City in Queens. Important ferry crossings, canals, and railroads are also indicated. In Ma