Impressions of New York

Impressions of New York: Prints from the New-York Historical Society  -- A perennial bestseller!

From its birth as a remote trading outpost on the fringes of the Dutch empire to its current status as the Capital of the World, New York has always captivated visual artists. The extraordinary prints collected by the Historical Society over the course of its history vividly preserve these impressions on paper. In this handsome volume more than 150 of these views of the city—including two spectacular gatefold panoramas—speak eloquently of the surging power of this dynamic urban center. At the same time, they present an intimate portrait of everyday life as it has been lived and savored in this great city for more than three centuries.

This beautifully printed volume presents a full range of historic images, from 1672 to the present. In the lively essay and information-filled captions, curator and historian Marilyn Symmes tells the unique stories behind the people and places, parks and buildings, streets and neighborhoods, parades and events depicted in each image—in essence, the story of New York City itself.