City Atlas of Albany, New York

Detailed multi-purpose atlas of the city of Albany.

This fascinating 1876 atlas of Albany, New York offers information to its reader that may otherwise would require multiple publications. The scale varies from between 100 and 200 feet to the inch, which allows for an awesome amount of detail on individual buildings and transportation systems. Land ownership is noted by individual plots; each of which is labeled and colored. A clever system of hatching was implemented to indicate whether a building was made of brick, stone or framed (wood). This detail is typical of atlases specific to fire insurance, which would have been of utmost importance when determining risk. The location of fire plugs are also shown and would have been similarly helpful.

A mixed use publication would have drawn broader interest, and as many late 19th century atlases were sold on a subscription basis, it made financial sense to include as much information as possible. The atlas includes an index map of the city and twenty four other maps, organized by wards and hand colored. There is also a four page directory of business notices in the back that includes numerous contemporary advertisements. The survey work and publishing was done in Philadelphia under the direction of G.M. Hopkins, while the engraving was performed by Edward Busch and printing by F. Bourquin.