Joseph Shannon (fl. 19th century) In the mid 19th century Joseph Shannon produced a series of New York City almanacs and fact books entitled Manual of the Corporation Of The City of New York . Shannon's Manual is very similar to the more common manual issued by Valentine. The production of this annual manual was the responsibility of the Clerk of the City of New York, a position held at different times by both Shannon and Valentine. The manual included facts about the City of New York, city council information, city history, and reported on the progress of public works such as Central Park. Click here for a list of rare maps from Joseph Shannon. Rare maps by Joseph Shannon currently for sale. Rare maps by Joseph Shannon in the Geographicus Antique Map Archive.