DeWitt C. Wheeler photographs and other material
Call Number
Date
Creator
Extent
Language of Materials
Abstract
The collection primarily includes 81 photographs by DeWitt C. Wheeler, a New York photographer. The bulk of these date from circa 1880 and document the buildings on certain blocks along the Bowery, Elm, Elizabeth, Marion, Mott, and Mulberry streets in lower Manhattan in the area of what is now known as Nolita and Little Italy, and along Centre Street south of Canal Street. The collection also holds two unrelated mid-19th century books and advertising ephemera from 1928.
Biographical / Historical
DeWitt C. Wheeler was a New York City-based photographer with a studio at 1215 Broadway.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged by format and related subject matter.
Scope and Contents
The collection primarily includes 81 photographs by DeWitt C. Wheeler. The bulk of these date from circa 1880 and document the buildings on certain blocks along the Bowery, Elm, Elizabeth, Marion, Mott, and Mulberry streets in lower Manhattan in the area of what is now known as Nolita and Little Italy, and along Centre Street south of Canal Street. It appears these photos were taken around the time elevated train tracks were being constructed in the area and the photographer captures images of the buildings, storefronts, and signage of the time, with some presence of demolition and construction.
The collection also includes some other unrelated items, including two 19th century books and advertising ephemera from 1928.
Subjects
Genres
Access Restrictions
Open to qualified researchers. Materials are stored offsite and advance notice is required for use. To schedule an appointment, contact the Print Room Librarian at printroom@nyhistory.org. Keep in mind that it will take between two (2) and five (5) business days for collections to arrive, and you should plan your research accordingly.
Use Restrictions
Taking images of documents from the library collections for reference purposes by using hand-held cameras and in accordance with the library's photography guidelines is encouraged. As an alternative, patrons may request up to 20 images per day from staff. Application to use images from this collection for publication should be made in writing to: Department of Rights and Reproductions, The New-York Historical Society, 170 Central Park West, New York, NY 10024-5194, rightsandrepro@nyhistory.org. Phone: (212) 873-3400 ext. 282.
Copyrights and other proprietary rights may subsist in individuals and entities other than the New-York Historical Society, in which case the patron is responsible for securing permission from those parties. For fuller information about rights and reproductions from N-YHS visit: https://www.nyhistory.org/about/rights-reproductions
Preferred Citation
The collection should be cited as: DeWitt C. Wheeler photographs and other material, PR 417, Department of Prints, Photographs, and Architectural Collections, New-York Historical Society.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift, Martha Lieblich, 2021
About this Guide
Processing Information
Processed by archivist Larry Weimer, April 2021
Repository
View Inventory
Bowery, circa 1880?, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Two photos spanning 168-174 Bowery, with elevated tracks in front of storefronts.
Elm Street, circa 1880?, inclusive
Scope and Contents
11 photos. The portion of the street included is now part of Lafayette Street. Includes corner of Elm & Broome streets, with odd number addresses running from 187-205. No even numbered addresses. 191 Elm is the rear of Hoffman's Marion cafe; see the Marion Street folder for front view on Marion. Some duplicates.
Elizabeth Street, circa 1880?, inclusive
Scope and Contents
13 photos. Includes odd number addresses spanning 155-161 Elizabeth, with front and rear views (demolition behind 155-161) and even number addresses 154-164. Some duplicates.
Marion Street, circa 1880?, inclusive
Scope and Contents
15 photos. The stretch of street in the photos is now called Cleveland Place. Includes corner of Broome and Marion. Includes odd number addresses spanning 7-11 and even number addresses 8-26, ending at intersection with Elm. Includes front of Hoffman's Marion Cafe (rear view on Elm Street). Some duplicates.
Mott Street, circa 1880?, inclusive
Scope and Contents
6 photos. Includes odd number addresses spanning 185-193 Mott. No even addresses. Some duplicates.
Mulberry Street, circa 1880?, inclusive
Scope and Contents
15 photos. Includes odd number addresses spanning 187-195 Mulberry and even number addresses 188-194. Some Italian shops. Some duplicates.
Unidentified, circa 1880?, inclusive
Scope and Contents
1 photo that appears to fit with the set of photos above, but caption is missing.
Centre Street, circa 1880?, inclusive
Scope and Contents
13 photos of buildings along Centre Street in the area of Walker, Canal, Hester, and White steets.
Centre Street? / Lafayette Street, circa 1880?, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Includes 3 photos. One is at the intersection of Lafayette and Walker. Two are unidentified but are likely in the Centre/Lafayette area.
Miscellaneous, 1880s?, inclusive
Scope and Contents
2 photos unrelated to the rest of the photos in the collection. One is of a large house with road or other construction occurring alongside. The second is of a man with four children, all dressed in suits or dresses.
Ephemera, 1928, inclusive
Scope and Contents
3 identical advertisements for Fischer's coffees and teas, with endorsement by the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America that the goods were prepared and packed as kosher for the Pesach holidays.
Book: "An Introduction to Mensuration and Practical Geometry" by John Bonnycastle, 1831, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Inscribed as belonging to William Henry Christie in 1833. Published Philadelphia by Kimber & Sharpless. Sixth American edition from the tenth London edition.
Book: "Snow-Bound: A Winter Idyl" by John Greenleaf Whittier, 1869
Scope and Contents
Published Boston by Fields, Osgood & Co.