New York Monthly by Anonymous American artist

New York Monthly by Anonymous American artist

C. 1867

Hand Colored Lithograph

Dating to the late 1860s, this hand-colored commercial lithograph presents a selection of seasonal attire titled "The New York Monthly." Published by S.B. West at 615 Broadway, New York, the print is explicitly inscribed with the publication date of May 1867. The outdoor scene illustrates six figures against a rustic landscape, emphasizing diverse tailoring styles suitable for both city streets and equestrian activities. The composition features four gentlemen in the foreground wearing silk top hats paired with a variety of structured garments, including a deep brown frock coat with checked trousers, a light grey three-piece morning suit, a dark blue waistcoat layered under an open overcoat, and a textured tan jacket with light green striped trousers. In the middle ground, a man and a woman in a blue riding habit are depicted on horseback, showcasing proper mid-19th-century equestrian sportswear.

Fashion plates of this caliber from the late 1860s provide essential documentation regarding the rigid dress codes and social presentation of post-Civil War American society. During this transitional period, publication houses and merchant tailors used monthly plates to introduce lighter seasonal textiles and updated silhouettes, establishing clear boundaries between business attire and daytime formal wear. The publisher, S.B. West, operated along the highly competitive Broadway retail corridor, which served as the primary epicenter for Manhattan fashion publishing and upscale merchant tailoring. Featuring delicate hand-applied watercolor washes that elevate it beyond standard commercial printing, this work holds historical significance as a primary record of mid-19th-century American manufacturing and advertising. It beautifully preserves the precise material culture of the era while illustrating the rapid growth of the domestic luxury market and urban retail infrastructure.

Dimensions: H 11 5/16” x 14 ¾” W

Condition: Fold and small hole on upper right side, a little foxing