rare and all original c. 1860 detailed black and white print illustrating a richly detailed scene from 1827, at new york city's 'five points' slum. the illustration is based on an earlier oil painting by george catlin, and depicts a street view of "paradise square," in the heart of five points. the intersection of anthony, orange, and cross streets is shown, overflowing with bustling figures, both human and animal. in the late 1820's, tourists from within and outside of new york city visited the five points neighborhood, drawn by its reputation for poverty, crime, and vice on the lower east side. throughout the scene, wealthy looking men and women, such as a gentleman with top hat and monocle in the foreground, intermingle with people fighting, drawing water from a well, chasing pigs, and selling wares. many of the buildings announce purpose--lodging, groceries, liquor-- via protruding signage. in the background a large crown is gathered around something, and horsedrawn wagons move through the streets. 'five points' got its name from the corners created by the intersection of what was once orange, cross, and anthony streets. throughout much of the 19th century, david t. valentine edited and published a series of new york city almanacs and fact books entitled "manual of corporation of the city of new york" which came to be known as "valentine's manual." the publication included facts about the city, its history, council, and progress on the public works such as central park.