1888 Map of New York City to accompany "The Temperance Movement or the Conflict Between Man and Alcohol"
By: William H. Blair & James H. Colton
Date: 1886 (copyright) New York
Dimensions: 8.5 x 20.25 inches (21.6 x 51.5 cm)
A unique thematic map of Manhattan produced to support the idea of prohibition by presenting the over-abundance of alcoholic temptation throughout New York City. The map was published as a supplement to Blair's book "The Temperance Movement: Or the Conflict Between Man and Alcohol."
This map provides a detailed layout of Manhattan, including numbered streets and major landmarks such as Central Park, Battery Park, and Roosevelt Island (then known as Blackwell's Island). Red dots across the city indicate the locations of over 9,000 licensed establishments where intoxicating liquor was sold. The map also mentions over 1,000 additional unlicensed places selling alcohol, emphasizing the widespread availability of liquor in New York City at the time.
The cartographic style is typical of the late 19th century, with clear street grids and the surrounding rivers, including the Hudson River and East River, depicted in fine detail. The accompanying text highlights the temperance agenda by documenting the number of saloons in the city and their distribution, showing the challenge faced by the temperance advocates in combating alcohol consumption in densely populated urban areas.
This map serves as both a cartographic record of late 19th-century New York City and a propaganda tool for the temperance movement. By illustrating the density of alcohol-selling establishments, Blair and other temperance advocates sought to raise awareness of the perceived moral and social threat posed by widespread alcohol consumption. The map, therefore, represents both a historical snapshot of Manhattan's development and a critical moment in America's temperance and prohibition movements.
Henry William Blair (1834–1920) was a prominent American politician and advocate for social reform, most famously associated with his support for temperance and education. He was a Republican senator from New Hampshire and a passionate supporter of progressive causes, including the prohibition of alcohol and the establishment of national education standards.
Blair's legislative efforts and public advocacy made him a notable figure within the temperance movement, although he did not succeed in achieving nationwide prohibition during his lifetime. His work, however, laid the foundation for the eventual passage of the 18th Amendment and the start of Prohibition in 1920, which was coincidentally the year of his death.
Condition: Map is in A condition with no tears, holes, stains, or markings of any kind. It is vivid and presents with bright red color. Full margins on all sides allow for easy framing.
Inventory #12876
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