Illustrator Vernon Howe Bailey's Century Old Vintage Sketches of New York City

American illustrator Vernon Howe Bailey was a prolific sketch artist in the early 20th century, working for several major publications including the Harper's Weekly and the Boston Herald, as well as for the government as a courthouse and military sketch artist.

Bailey sketched almost everything he saw, including New York City street life. Enjoy this small collection of century-old hand-drawn sketches of the City compiled by our friends at Untapped Cities.

Herald Square “In 1900.” The Romance of the Store (1922)

“Contrasts – the Bankers Trust and the Down Town Tenement, with Trinity’s spire in the middle distance.” Electrical New York (1916)

“National City Bank.” Electrical New York (1916)

“Looking Down Greenwich Street Toward Globe Square.” Electrical New York (1916)

“Old St. John’s in Varick Street.” Electrical New York (1916)

“Old Greenwich Village.” Thirty Years of New York, 1882-1912: New York Edison Company (1913)

“The Passing of the Brownstone Front.” Thirty Years of New York, 1892-1912: New York Edison Company (1913)

“Fifth Avenue, the Fashion and Wealth Centre of New York is the Factory District of This Great City.” Electrical New York (1916)

“American Cities in Pencil, III, New York: Fifth Avenue, Broadway and Twenty-third Street,” Everybody’s Magazine, May, 1904

“New York from the Flatiron: Looking to the Northeast.” Munsey’s Magazine, July, 1905

“A Relic of Old New York – the Junk Shop on East 29th Street.” Electrical New York (1916)

“In Bryant Park.” Electrical New York (1916)

“The Lights of Broadway.” Thirty Years of New York, 1882-1912: New York Edison Company (1913)

“Rough Places in Gotham: In “Hell’s Kitchen” on the West Side,” The Century Magazine, September, 1910

“Rough Places in Gotham: “San Juan Hill,” on the Middle West Side,” The Century Magazine, September, 1910

via Untapped Cities

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Matt Coneybeare

Editor in Chief

Matt enjoys exploring the City's with his partner and son. He is an avid marathon runner, and spends most of his time eating, running, and working on cool stuff.

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