Above: Printing House Square, N.Y. (Gelatine-Bromide series) (New York: E. & H.T. Anthony, [ca. 1880]). Author's collection.
Printing House Square was the center of the newspapers in Manhattan, located near today's Park Row, and not too far from City Hall. A statue of Benjamin Franklin was erected in 1872, and book was printed to commemorate that event. From Bigmore and Wyman, A Bibliography of Printing, v.1 p.168:
"Printing-house Square, in the centre of New York, is the head of the newspaper industry of that city. It is surrounded by the palatial offices of some of the morning, and several of the weekly journals. It was thought appropriate that in the centre of the square there should be erected a statue of Benjamin Franklin, America's famous patriot-printer, and a wealthy citizen, Mr. Albert De Groot, came forward and defrayed the expense of the erection. The monument was inaugurated amid great rejoicings, and in the presence of some of hte most eminent citizens, the proceedings throughout on the most hearty and interesting character. Among those who took a prominent part in the affair was Mr. De Vinne...."
Bigmore and Wyman were citing this book: Theodore L. De Vinne. Record of the Proceedings and Ceremonies Pertaining to the Erection of the Franklin Statue in Printing-house Square, New York, presented by Albert De Groot to the Press and Printers of the City of New York. New York: 1872 8vo. pp. 104.
Above right: Park Row from Tryon Row, City Hall Park on the right, showing the Times Building, and a distant view of St. Paul's Chapel (Anthony's instantaneous views no. 313) (New York: E. & H.T. Anthony, [ca. 1868]). Author's collection (Ex-Treadwell). (See high-resolution with verso and blow-up.)]
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