Document of the Week - Library of Congess Edition

This document here was a part of Frank Leslie's illustrated newspaper. This issue was specifically published on April 28, 1883 and depicts workers lashing the stays on the Brooklyn Bridge. Construction of the Brooklyn Bridge began in 1869 but was not completed until 1883. These workers are clearly putting what would be the final touched on the grand bridge.

The picture itself originates from a woodcut. the wood would be carved in great detail and than inked. The finished product would be what you see above, extremely detailed. Frank Leslie's illustrated newspaper was an American illustrated literary and news magazine founded in 1855 and continued its circulation until 1922. Surviving pieces, like the one pictured above, are highly prized and valued.

~ The Northern Rose