The Government House [New York City]

• Artist: W.J. Condit/C. Milbourne
• Medium: Second Stone Chromolithograph- By William Ells
• Publish Details: New York: H.R. Robinson, 1847
• Measurements: 14 3/4 x 21 1/4 in. (sheet), 22 1/2 x 27 3/4 in. (mat)
• Condition: Very good condition- Old mat burn in margins (not affecting image), print professionally conserved. 

An interesting historical view of “Government House” as it appeared in 1797, issued during the mid-19th century. The image, as well as the original watercolor, bears the signature of C. Milbourne, “Delin Et Excu’d,” indicating it was drawn and executed by Milbourne. However, the printed credit states that it was produced “From the original drawing by W.J. Condit.” This suggests either that Milbourne created the finished watercolor after a drawing by Condit, or that the lithograph was prepared by Condit after Milbourne’s original watercolor.

Government House was built in 1790 and intended to serve as the residence of George Washington when New York was the nation’s capital. However, the capital was moved to Philadelphia that same year, and the building instead became the residence of New York’s governors, including George Clinton and John Jay. In 1799, the structure was converted into the Custom House, a role it served until 1815, when it was demolished. The building stood on Broadway facing Bowling Green, which can be seen at the left of the composition. Because the original watercolor was drawn on the spot, this print, although issued nearly half a century later, provides an excellent and historically valuable view of New York City at the close of the 18th century.