1916 Koehler Chromolithograph View of the Williamsburg Bridge, New York City

An extremely rare 1916 chromolithograph view of the Williamsburg Bridge. The view looks on the bridge from a dock in Brooklyn, near Broadway. The Manhattan skyline is evident in the background. The present example is the second edition, updated to include the distinctive Met Life Tower at far left, thus embracing two world records - the tallest building and longest suspension bridge. In the foreground, the Fall River Line steamer Priscilla heads toward Boston. At the time, Priscilla was the largest side-wheeler afloat, capable of accommodating 1,500 passengers. Behind, another steam ferry, Oregon, run by the Brooklyn and New-York Ferry Company, crosses the East River towards Brooklyn.

Williamsburg Bridge

The Williamsburg Bridge is the second bridge (after the Brooklyn Bridge) to cross the East River between Brooklyn and lower Manhattan. The bridge was constructed between 1896 and 1903, when it opened as the world's longest suspension bridge - a title it retained until 1924. The bridge was designed by Leffert L. Buck (chief engineer) and Henry Hornbostel (architect). The structure is unique among suspension bridges in having its main span hanging from cables in the usual manner but its side spans being supported entirely by their trusswork. Initially the Williamsburg Bridge was intended as a pedestrian, trolley, and railway bridge. In 1932 it was partially converted to accommodate vehicular traffic, but it remains a railroad bridge serving the J/Z and M Subway lines.

Chromolithography

Chromolithography is a color lithographic technique developed in the mid-19th century. The process involved using multiple lithographic stones, one for each color, to yield a rich composite effect. Oftentimes, the process would start with a black basecoat upon which subsequent colors were layered. Some chromolithographs used 30 or more separate lithographic stones to achieve the desired product. Chromolithograph color could also be effectively blended for even more dramatic results. The process became extremely popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when it emerged as the dominate method of color printing. The vivid color chromolithography produced made it exceptionally effective for advertising and propaganda imagery.

Publication History and Census

This view was first published in 1903. It was drawn and lithographed by Charles Hart and published by Joseph Koehler. The present 1916 edition was issued with minor revisions to include a new sky and the Met Life Tower, constructed in 1909. The 1916 edition also has a more vivid color palette. Koehler filed the copyright for this view on February 19, 1916. We note several examples of the 1903 first edition at the New York Public Library, New York Historical Society, and the Library of Congress. However, this is the only known example of the 1916 edition.