To Contractors. Proposals in Writing Will be Received … for Constructing a Turnpike Road Through the Thompson Farm in the Town of Islip, Suffolk Co

Description

Large uncolored text-only broadside soliciting bidders for a construction project in Central Long Island. Very striking, with many words in the title in large black typefaces. Excellent condition, with very mild fraying along the top left side and very light scattered foxing. The project calls for clearing a stretch of land, approximately five and three-quarters miles, from the South Country Road (now likely Sunrise Highway) north to the Pine Plains. It is not entirely clear, however, exactly what the track of this new turnpike was to be. Published in West Islip, on May 16, 1859, this was actually printed by George Nesbitt & Co. in New York City, a firm better known for its pioneering work in color printing, notably ship sailing cards. It is quite likely that this is a unique survival, due both to its size and ephemeral nature.