Vintage 1917 Old Roads from the Heart of New York Sarah Comstock Travel History Book Putnam Illustrated Antique NYC Region Guide

This is a vintage 1917 copy of Old Roads from the Heart of New York: Journeys Today by Ways of Yesterday, Within Thirty Miles Around the Battery by Sarah Comstock, published by G. P. Putnam’s Sons in New York.

A richly detailed early 20th-century travel and regional history work, this book explores the historic roads, villages, and landscapes surrounding New York City. Written in an engaging narrative style, Comstock blends travel writing with historical reflection, capturing the character of old roads, colonial-era routes, and the communities that developed within roughly thirty miles of Manhattan.

Originally published in the 1910s, this work reflects a period when New York was rapidly modernizing while still preserving strong ties to its colonial and rural past. The book serves both as a travelogue and a historical record, offering insight into the geography, culture, and early development of the region. It is also noted for its period illustrations, photographs, and descriptive passages typical of Putnam’s early travel and regional history publications.  Two regional maps are tucked away inside.

This edition is a rigid soft cover measuring approximately 5” x 7.5” and contains 401 pages.

The book is in good vintage condition. There is a crease to the cover along with general wear consistent with age and handling, but the text block remains intact and the interior is well-preserved.

A wonderful collectible for anyone interested in New York history, early American travel writing, regional studies, or antique books documenting the transformation of the New York landscape in the early 20th century.