The First Meeting, Jerome Park, N. Y. , H. Schile 1873 Rare Proof before letters

The First Meeting, Jerome Park, N. Y. is an original proof before letters of a hand colored lithograph published in 1873 by the prolific German American artist and publisher Henry Schile. The Jerome Park racetrack was a thoroughbred horse racing facility from 1866 until 1894. It was located in a part of Westchester County, New York that was annexed into the Bronx in 1874. It was the home of the Belmont Stakes from 1867 until 1889. Today, Jerome Park is the name of a neighborhood adjoining the Jerome Park Reservoir, Bedford Park and Norwood in the northern Bronx. In very good condition with some chips along the outer edges that can be seen in the photos and and a couple of short repaired tears on lower left and side left. This lithograph is a rare proof or prototype before the actual print was approved. A proof before letters (Avant les lettres) is an impression of a print pulled before the title is added below the image. The title and credits are written in pencil by the artist and publisher before it went to press with the final okay for the printer.
Henry Schile was a German/American immigrant and a contemporary of the famous New York publishers Currier and Ives. Well known for his colorful lithographs with scenes from American history, peopled landscapes and everyday life.