New York in Postcards 1880-1980

The Swiss architect Andreas Adam has put together a collection of thousands of picture postcards of New York. Most of them extremely rare vintage pieces and preserved in excellent condition, they tell a multitude of New York stories, from the the early development of Manhattan to the rapidly growing metropolis of the late 19th and early 20th centuries and the emergence of New York as the quintessential modern American city. They also show reflections, creative renditions, and artistic answers that play with and react to the New York myth.This book presents around 600 of the most beautiful and striking postcards from the Andreas Adam collection, arranged by subject field and geographical area. The subjects covered include architecture, urban locations, transport, public buildings, parks and gardens, everyday life and social history, great historical and social events, and the tourist's view of New York.A unique kaleidoscope of New York and an opulent art book, but also a lavish compendium of style, for many of the postcards are shining examples of the aesthetics of their time. The pictures are complemented by essays by Andreas Adam and by the New York writers ???, ??? and ??? [Names to follow!].

Thomas Kramer is managing director and chief editor of Scheidegger & Spiess.