Encyclopedic in breadth but compact enough for the vest pocket of a 19th-century gentleman on the go, the book was an insider’s guide to Manhattan, easily picked up at the newsstand before a night on the town, much the way tourists and local residents now consult a guidebook when they are in the mood for a memorable restaurant or meal.
Read the whole thing here: Guide to N.Y.C.’s 19th-Century Houses of Prostitution – NYTimes.com.