Publishing Tour

17 East 13th Street was built in 1911 as a two story brick store at a cost of $3,500 according to the Office for Metropolitan History. The 1911/12 Trow’s Directory of Manhattan lists Archibald and George C. Erskine, printers, at this location, indicating that they were probably the building’s first tenant. A painted sign saying “Erskine Press” remains on the front façade of the building to this day.
Erskine Press was started by Archibald Erskine (1831-?), a Scottish immigrant and carpenter by trade. According to the Printing Trades Blue Book of 1918, the company was established in 1895 and the 1896/97 Directory first lists Archibald as a carpenter and a printer with the printing business at 22 East 13th Street. By the time that Erskine Press moved into 17 East 13th Street, two of Archibald’s sons, Archibald Erskine, Jr. (1870-1946) and George Chambers Erskine (1873-1958), had taken over the business.

Many of the most prominent publishers in America and the world were located here, producing some of the most significant works of literature of the last two hundred years. Click here to send a letter supporting landmark designation of these and other historic buildings south of Union Square.