This large 24×32 hand-colored etching titled The Leow Bridge Across Broadway, New York depicts one of the most iconic 19th-century intersections in Manhattan—Broadway at Fulton Street—showing the elevated “Leow Bridge” and the bustling street life below. Richly colored by hand, the print captures horse-drawn carriages, period architecture, early mass transit, and dense crowds typical of New York’s Gilded Age. A highly detailed and historically significant work, this etching brings to life an era of rapid urban growth and architectural transformation.
This impressive hand-colored etching illustrates a panoramic view of Broadway at Fulton Street during the late 19th century, featuring:
The Leow Bridge, one of New York’s early elevated pedestrian structures designed to relieve congestion on Broadway.
The New Herald Building, rendered in full architectural detail on the left.
A city alive with movement: horse-drawn omnibuses, delivery wagons, private carriages, and vendors navigating a crowded streetscape.
Fashion, gesture, and clothing characteristic of the 1870s–1880s.
Finely engraved linework typical of the period’s illustrated newspapers and architectural prints.
Hand-applied watercolor tinting, adding warmth to stone façades, vibrancy to clothing, and atmospheric tonality to the sky.
High realism combined with documentary-style accuracy, a hallmark of 19th-century urban engravings.
During this period, New York experienced explosive population growth, and the introduction of elevated walkways like the Leow Bridge was part of a broader push to modernize the city. These images were widely circulated, helping define the visual identity of New York for audiences across America and Europe.
This print is a beautifully preserved example of historical New York City engraving and hand-coloring.
The Leow Bridge Across Broadway, New York. Large 24×32 hand-colored etching, c.1870s–1880s. Detailed architectural and street scene; excellent coloring and condition.
CERTIFICATE OF VALUE & AUTHENTICATION
Title: The Leow Bridge Across Broadway, New York
Date: c. 1870s–1880s
Medium: Hand-Colored Etching / Engraving
Dimensions: 24 × 32 inches
Signature: Unsigned (engraver/publisher unknown)
Description: A richly hand-tinted architectural and street-scene etching depicting Broadway at Fulton Street, including the elevated Leow Bridge and the New Herald Building.
Authenticity: Verified through plate characteristics, engraving technique, period paper type, and historic imagery associated with 19th-century New York City publications.
Current Owner: Artfind Gallery, Washington, DC
This document certifies the work as an authentic 19th-century hand-colored etching.
19th-Century Publisher / Print Distributor (United States)
Private Collection, Northeast U.S.
Artfind Gallery, Washington, DC — current owner
This large 24×32 hand-colored etching titled The Leow Bridge Across Broadway, New York depicts one of the most iconic 19th-century intersections in Manhattan—Broadway at Fulton Street—showing the elevated “Leow Bridge” and the bustling street life below. Richly colored by hand, the print captures horse-drawn carriages, period architecture, early mass transit, and dense crowds typical of New York’s Gilded Age. A highly detailed and historically significant work, this etching brings to life an era of rapid urban growth and architectural transformation.
This impressive hand-colored etching illustrates a panoramic view of Broadway at Fulton Street during the late 19th century, featuring:
The Leow Bridge, one of New York’s early elevated pedestrian structures designed to relieve congestion on Broadway.
The New Herald Building, rendered in full architectural detail on the left.
A city alive with movement: horse-drawn omnibuses, delivery wagons, private carriages, and vendors navigating a crowded streetscape.
Fashion, gesture, and clothing characteristic of the 1870s–1880s.
Finely engraved linework typical of the period’s illustrated newspapers and architectural prints.
Hand-applied watercolor tinting, adding warmth to stone façades, vibrancy to clothing, and atmospheric tonality to the sky.
High realism combined with documentary-style accuracy, a hallmark of 19th-century urban engravings.
During this period, New York experienced explosive population growth, and the introduction of elevated walkways like the Leow Bridge was part of a broader push to modernize the city. These images were widely circulated, helping define the visual identity of New York for audiences across America and Europe.
This print is a beautifully preserved example of historical New York City engraving and hand-coloring.
The Leow Bridge Across Broadway, New York. Large 24×32 hand-colored etching, c.1870s–1880s. Detailed architectural and street scene; excellent coloring and condition.
CERTIFICATE OF VALUE & AUTHENTICATION
Title: The Leow Bridge Across Broadway, New York
Date: c. 1870s–1880s
Medium: Hand-Colored Etching / Engraving
Dimensions: 24 × 32 inches
Signature: Unsigned (engraver/publisher unknown)
Description: A richly hand-tinted architectural and street-scene etching depicting Broadway at Fulton Street, including the elevated Leow Bridge and the New Herald Building.
Authenticity: Verified through plate characteristics, engraving technique, period paper type, and historic imagery associated with 19th-century New York City publications.
Current Owner: Artfind Gallery, Washington, DC
This document certifies the work as an authentic 19th-century hand-colored etching.
19th-Century Publisher / Print Distributor (United States)
Private Collection, Northeast U.S.
Artfind Gallery, Washington, DC — current owner
