Vernon Howe Bailey produced numerous drawings for the newspapers at which he worked and for periodicals. This view of the center of the Library's facade was part of his magnum opus, the series of 381 New York city views known as "Intimate Sketches of New York." It was published in the New York Sun on 14 June 1934.
Purchased from the artist in 1934. The drawing was purchased by Belle Greene from Bailey in June 1934. Bailey responded to her inquiry offering a price of $55, which he noted "is considerably less than I usually receive for drawings of this character" and less than he received for other works in the series. Greene had the drawing reproduced on a postal card shortly after.
Signed in pen by the artist at lower right: Vernon Howe Bailey.