Fine Art, 19th-Century Trade Bills and Images of New York City

November 5, 2001 - January 18, 2002
David Filderman Gallery, 9th Floor of the Axinn Library

The Hofstra Museum presents the exhibition, Fine Art, 19th Century Trade Bills and Images of New York City, November 5, 2001 through January 18, 2002, in the David Filderman Gallery, Ninth Floor of the Axinn Library.

This exhibition depicts the city at a time when it became the "Empire City"--the financial and cultural center of the country. These highly decorative bills, rarely used or commented on, are shown for the first time. They are fascinating examples of the engravers' art and of an earlier New York.

Meant to help advertise the worth of entrepreneurs, hotel keepers, ship builders, grocers, iron founders and others, these bills, through carefully drawn images, depicted their pride in themselves and in their city, as well as pride in being a part of this nation. Generally, the story of these enterprises is forgotten, lost in the pages of history, the individual engravers largely ignored. Trade bills, however, remain as proof of what was accomplished by so many; they are a reminder from the past for all to see and enjoy.

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