Lot 257

(NEW YORK CITY.) Records of the construction of the Harlem River Bridge. New York, 1863-1871 and undated

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(NEW YORK CITY.) Records of the construction of the Harlem River Bridge. New York, 1863-1871 and undated

Estimate: $1,500 - $2,500

Starting Bid: $1,100

(0 Bids)

by Swann Auction Galleries
June 25, 2026 10:30 AM EDT
Live Auction
104 East 25th Street
New York, NY, US 10010



Records of the construction of the Harlem River Bridge.
New York, 1863-1871 and undated
The Harlem River Bridge was completed in 1868 and remained in operation through 1894; it was replaced by the current Third Avenue Bridge from the Bronx to Manhattan. These are the working papers of the bridge's designer, civil engineer Erastus W. Smith. They include:

Summons to Smith by the Special Committee of the New Harlem Bridge to testify on the "affairs" of the Bridge Commission, 23 December 1863.

A set of 15 "questions from Cheseborough pertaining to Harlem Bridge," 1863.

3 documents assigning the use of a marine steam engine from Norman Wheeler to Smith, October 1866.

Smith's manuscript request for proposals for the removal of the wood superstructure, and accompanying specifications, 15 November 1867.

Draft memorandum of understanding with a contractor to "remove all the stone . . . of the submerged foundations of the old wooden bridge at the terminus," 24 July 1868.

Group of 10 budgeting documents listing supplies and costs for various sub-projects, circa 1863-1867.

Letter from city official William H. Grant requesting a copy of the bridge plans, 2 June 1871.


21 other memoranda and sketches relating to the bridge.

  • Medium: New York, 1863-1871 and undated
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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $149 $10
$150 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $5,999 $200
$6,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 $499,999 $20,000
$500,000 + $50,000