Designs Underfoot: The Art of Manhole Covers in New York City

(Hardcover)-Overlooked for nearly two centuries, New York's manhole covers are at last brought to the forefront in this book, which traces the evolution of their intricate designs and styles, and recounts the history of the city's iron foundries that produced them. Through meticulous documentation, intriguing history bites, and three hundred photographs, Stuart demonstrates how these mainstays of city life, once thought of as mere utilitarian street hardware, are actually sophisticated works of cast-iron art. A fascinating element of New York's streetscape, these decorative manhole covers are an inspiring reflection of the creativity and attention of the foundries themselves and, sadly, a dwindling relic of New York's architectural history. Historians, design professionals, antiques collectors, and sightseers will find this an inspiring glimpse into a form of artwork nearly lost to urban renewal, as well as encouragement for the reintroduction of such innovative designs in civic planning. (5 1/2 x 9 1/2, 128 pages, b&w photos) Diana Stuart is a former advertising executive who is devoted to documenting architectural details in the five boroughs of her beloved native city. She lives in New York City.