I thought some of you might find this interesting, it may give you a new perspective on neighborhoods you know well.

"The Gentlemen's Companion" was easily accessible at Manhattan news stands during the 1870s, listing 150 establishments, though historian Timothy J Filfoyle estimates there were 500 brothels in New York at the time.  I learn that the world was indeed a different place over a hundred years ago - and it some ways a better one. This pocket sized guide was The Erotic Review and Eros Guide of it's time, but much tamer and in some ways more respectable.

In this book's introduction, the author claims to "impart information that is not generally known, even to old denizens of the city, and give him an insight into the character and doings of people whose deeds are carefully screened from public view". Despite this rather easy access to information on over a hundred brothels, the writer of the Companion obviously feels the need to exonerate himself when under the scrutiny of puritanical eyes. In his defense he states: "We point out the location of these places in order that the reader may know how to avoid them, and that he may not select one of them for his boarding house when he comes into the city… like a warning voice to the unwary." Of course there is a pun here, for he also intends on helping naive procurers of female charms from having unpleasant experiences, his book "warned the inexperienced mariner to sheer off, lest he should be a wreckage on a dangerous and unknown coast."

The book projects a very warm and refreshing attitude toward women of desire, while still acknowledging that unsavory characters exist to the detriment of all involved. Ladies are depicted as being educated and intelligent, as well as beautiful. In a spirit of delight he describes locations where "an hour cannot be spent more pleasantly".

In 1859 a similar such book called Directory to the Seraglios, was published. The Gentlemen's Companion explains that in the last decade since the original publication New York had undergone great change, both as a physical city and in its moral fabric, thus offering an updated guide. Much like our modern age, there were terms associated with the different incarnations of Ladies of Leisure, granted without the modern day tendency to turn terminology into an alphabet soup of acronyms and menu items. Physical acts are never described or mentioned, nor are rates.

At the back of the guide is a list to books, which I assume are erotic in nature. Included amongst these is "Dr. Groves' Marriage Guide" for sale at fifty cents ($8.51 today). This 310 page book explores the "wonderful, marvelous and mysterious... great secrets". It apparently touches on "new revelations in physiology and philosophy."

The last page contains an advertisement for imported French male safes, " a perfect shield against disease or conception, made of both skin and India rubber". They sold for $2-$4 ($34 - $68 in modern value) for half a dozen. Ladies protectors sold for $3 each ($51 in modern value).

Bellow this medical services are offered: "Ladies cured at one interview with or without medicine $4. Regulating Pills $6 ($102 in modern value)". The ad bellow it boasts of curing illness without mercury.

The Companion can be a tedious read, so I have taken the time to summarize the information contained.

You want a link to the original book in PDF, PM me.

Do you know if the movie "Dangerous Beauty" is/was in paper back? It was a fantastic story about the life of Veronica Franco, and I have seen it literally over 50 times. As you note, courtesans (the true ones) in Italy back then, were really the only women who were allowed to get an education, where the lonely wives were sold into marriage to men they were disgusted by, and led a life of practical slavery both sexually and mentally. I do find it sad, how the courtesans' once approved and admired lifestyle, is now the most degraded in modern society. Not that I care as someone who certainly hides what I do, but find it more than ironic.

Cruisers and Nymphe de Pave
The book starts with ever famous Broadway, explaining that between 7pm and 11 many beautiful women between 15 and 25 find themselves roaming the streets, unaccompanied by a gentleman. They were described as well groomed and attractive.

Badgers and Panel Thieves
It seems there has always been an infestation of dishonesty, despite all the good souls who find their way into the world of professional companionship. Badgers traveled in groups of three or four, taking up a floor in a house with other tenants. They rob their customers, whether poor or rich, depending on the victim's sense of guilt and fear of exposure to keep them silent. When they sense that a gentlemen might turn them into the authorities, the premises is quickly vacated and re-establish elsewhere. The author warns that badgers are often the best attired of all women, and encourages men to alert the authorities of their behaviour, to keep the scene clean for the honourable ladies. He closes with, "They are in our public streets what sharks are in the ocean."

Pretty Waiter System
An example of this is a large hall extending from Broadway to Mercer. Unfortunately no further information is shared, suggesting that in it's time it was probably common knowledge.

House of Assignation

It seems quite a few residents were kept without any lady boarders. The rooms were made available to secret lovers needing a nest for their private trysts.

Boarding Houses and Parlours

It's hard to distinguish the difference between the two. Perhaps the ladies in boarding houses also lived there. They kept between four and seven lady boarders at any given time, the most being as many as twelve. A small number made rooms available to gentlemen who would bring their own lady. Others preferred to rent rooms out to "enterprising young ladies".

I have a map of the exact addresses on Google Maps, PM me if you're interested.

Those familiar with the streets of New York City will find themselves amused, imagining familiar streets littered with brothels and young women roaming the streets. I'll mention only the most densely populated areas. The strand for example The Strand bookstore was once Mrs. Fulton's house of assignation.

Only two locations are describe on Greene St., though many are listed as having rooms available. The author does make a point of warning the reader of the foul nature of this neighbourhood, often called on by police and prone to fights. Between Canal and Bleecker there are 41 houses with bare rooms, 8 houses of assignation, 22 houses that let rooms to girls and 11 segar stores (tobacco shops). "The scenes enacted here, the filth and turmoil would lead a stranger to suppose that he was in Baden Baden or that old Sodom and Gomorrah had risen from their ashes to greet the sun once more."

Modern day Soho seemed to have the greatest concentration of locations, it seem you could find a little bit of everything. East Village into Union Square and Greenwich also had a handful of parlours and houses of assignation. Flatrion had boarding houses, three of which were first class, and the last was considered to have a selfish and unfriendly landlady. Gramercy had mostly houses of assignation, most unworthy of note. Chelsea was another heavily populated area, most of these were boarding houses and some of the nicest in the city. One of which was the famous Hotel De Wood, popular with foreign gentlemen and rumoured to have $10,000 in artwork alone, the equivalent of about $170, 000 today. It also had some of the most intriguing locations, including a "Ladies Seminary", and Genis Furnishing Goods where the lady clerks were most amiable to male patrons.

I would suggest the book, "Island Of Vice" which is the true story of life in Manhattan in the late 19th century when Teddy Roosevelt was the police commissioner of New York.  The story is told in colorful details about his efforts to try and shut down all the vice in Manhattan most especially all the brothels.  the book uses real names and addresses and what I found really funny, is some of the addresses are still around and should be known by present day hobbiests.

From the publisher:  "In the 1890s, young cocksure Theodore Roosevelt, years before the White House, was appointed police commissioner of corrupt, pleasure-loving New York, then teeming with 40,000 prostitutes, illegal casinos and all-night dance halls. The Harvard-educated Roosevelt, with a reformer’s zeal, tried to wipe out the city’s vice and corruption. He went head-to-head with Tammany Hall, took midnight rambles looking for derelict cops, banned barroom drinking on Sundays and tried to convince 2 million New Yorkers to enjoy wholesome family fun.

The city rebelled big time; cartoonists lampooned him on the front page; his own political party abandoned him but Roosevelt never backed down. Island of Vice delivers a rollicking narrative history of Roosevelt’s embattled tenure, pitting the seedy against the saintly, and the city against its would-be savior".

The book came out last year and was just released in paperback for those who like to read real books.

It is no surprise that advertisers in the guide get the most elaborate and complimentary reviews. Some things never change!

It seems only a small handful of locations were owned by gentlemen. The majority were female run, interestingly the women were frequently married. A great deal of the locations mentioned only warranted a few words, and most are rather neutral. Often there is only a passing mention of whether it is a first, second or third class house. The author does seem to make a point of highlighting which establishments are called upon by elite citizens.

The various locations are most commonly described as conducted in a respectable, quiet and orderly manner, a most logical and necessary observation for those who would be in need of such a guide. Other frequent descriptions included tidy, pleasant, that every attention is paid to visitors, sometimes including a comment on the furnishings. he women themselves are rarely described, generally referred to as attractive, well mannered, charming, cheerful and pleasing. Interestingly, there is never a mention of price. The demeanor of the women who run these establishments is quite frequently commented on, even when little is said about the women they house. A fun loving, good natured landlady is understandably favoured by the author.

126 E. Twelfth St. (Advertiser)

Miss Ida Thompson… This elegant parlour house is furnished in the most elaborate and magnificent style. The landlady and lively young ladies are a very pleasant set, full of fun, love and fond of amusement. The carpets, mirrors, furniture, and paintings are of the latest and most costly designs. This is truly a splendid establishment of the very first class.

123 W 27th St.

Miss Anna Manzoe. This is a first class Ladies Seminary, conducted by an accomplished and intelligent lady, who has a class of seven beautiful young lady scholars who do credit to her establishment. The house is newly furnished in a magnificent style, is very quiet and orderly, and first class in every respect.

105 W 25th St.

... is kept by Mrs. Kate Woods, better known among the aristocracy as Hotel De Wood. This is a 2 story brownstone house, furnished with the most costly and newest improvements. Her gallery of oil paintings alone cost $10, 000 ($170, 000 today). Rosewood furniture mimes mirrors, Parisian figures, etc… The house is furnished at a cost of $70, 000 ($1,119,950 today). She keeps three young ladies of rare personal attractions and her house receives the patronage of distinguished gentlemen from foreign -countries. This is the best house in 25th St.

127 W 26th St.

... is a ladies boarding house of the second class, kept by Madame Buemont. There is a report of a bear being kept in the cellar, but for what reason may be inferred. There is not anything else attractive about the place.

133 W 26th St. (Advertiser)

... is kept by S.A. Sanchez, and is generally known as the importer of Genis Furnishing Goods. This abode of Venus has nine young lady clerks who are of a cheerful and lively disposition, and very entertaining to the gentlemen customers. This house is furnished in magnificent style, the proprietress has spared neither pains nor expense to make her house one of the finest in the city. It is also very quite and orderly, and is first class in every respect.

16 E 13 th St.

Laura Howeverd has a parlour house… There are six lady boarders; but no interest whatever attaches to his house. Some of it's visitors have asserted that it's inmates are of a snobbish disposition.

36 W 15th St.

Miss Fanny Phippany… There are six lady boarders. The landlady is of a very selfish disposition, and the servants are very disagreeable to visitors.

I have also watched the movie over and over again. I too would have worked as a whore if it was the only way I had access to a library. I love how her adoration of literature is used like a carrot on a stick to lure her in.  

Even in their height there were still those in societies who looked down on these ladies. Interestingly we see in the movie the change happen in society, the fall from grace when courtesans go from from being admired, to being reviled.  The church played a heavy hand in that, as they used disasters to strike fear into the hearts of many. They convinced people horrible things happened because societies were too decadent and lustful.

Since childhood I admired courtesans, it is why I chose my path, and why I continue to study them. I am saddened that I must hide. I would like very much to share the joys I experience with those close to me and cannot.

I by far prefer a real read. Thanks for the suggestion, I'll add it to my buying list