Speaking of places to go in New York that would pertain to the history of sex, have you been to the museum of sex on 28th and 7th? It would be a good place for you to do more research on your discoveries above.

Thought I'd post something a little different:

"The Gentlemen's Companion" is a pocket sized guide, The Erotic Review and Eros Guide of it's time, but much tamer and in some ways more respectable. It 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.

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 - I haven't been able to get my hands on a copy. 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 can download a copy of the PDF here:
http://www.courtesanculture.com/courtesans/1870.pdf


TERMINOLOGY

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".


NEIGHBOURHOODS

You can view a map of all the establishments listed here:

http://maps.google.ca/maps/ms?msid=215221941963213910351.0004b028cc471ca83f307&msa=0

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. The Strand bookstore, for example, 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. He states: "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."

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.


REVIEWS

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. The 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.

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

the history and onditions of the water trade are of considerable interest. i thank you for this careful precis of your findings.

I have! There's one in Vegas too.

I want to go back with a pen and paper next time so I can jot notes for my ongoing research

I'm sure I'll look like a weirdo but I usually do at any gallery or museum LOL

Some of the most notable reviews:

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.

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.


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.


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.


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.


105 W 27th St.
... is a second class establishment. It is asserted that the landlady and her servants are as sour as her wine.


10 Neilson Place
This is a ladies boarding house apparently of the first class; but, as the landlady can never be seen, it is impossible to tell who is the head of the house. The doors is guarded by a grotty old dame from south of Africa, whose assumed dignity is so overpowering that most people suppose that she runs the establishment.


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.


25 E Houston St.
This is a very popular resort for gentlemen, and is conducted on the most approved plan - the genial and indefatigable landlord equally active and skillful in providing the best that can be obtained for his numbers of friends and patrons. An hour cannot be spent more pleasantly than at this establishment.


66 W Houston St.
Conducted by the fun loving Mrs. Emma Marsh, whose stock of good humour is inexhaustible. She has six lady boarders, who do credit to her taste, and receive the encomiums of the most fastidious admirers of feminine loveliness.


85 W Houston St.
...Miss Emma Benedict...It is on the corner of Laurens Street. It is a first class house with eight lady boarders. Everything is here arranged in the first style, while the bewitching smiles of fairy-like creatures who devote themselves to the services of Cupid are unrivalled by any of the fine ladies who walk Broadway in silks and satins new.


140 Wooster St.
...Is kept by Mrs. Hames and is a very quiet parlour house, devoted to the wars of Venus.


111 Spring St.
... is a house of assignation kept by Hattie Taylor, it is a third class house where may be found the lowest of courtesans. It is patronized by roughs and rowdies, and gentlemen who turn their shirts wrong side out when the other side is dirty.


97 Mercer St.
...is a parlour house of the third class. Nothing is here to be found but painted and padded beauties.


15 Watts St.
Fanny Austin keeps a quiet, tidy and pleasant house of assignation for gents of leisure who admire the gentler half of creation.


121 Crosby St.
Mrs. Kate Austin… keeps six lady boarders. It is a second class house and seems to be managed by the colored servants. One can never see the proprietor, who is concealed somewhere behind these sable breasts works, lest daylight should spoil her completion.


123 Crosby St.
Mrs Wilson… keeps a first class house with six lady boarders, handsomely dressed, of pleasing manners, ready wit, and sparkling eyes. It is the fines house on the street, and superbly furnished.


17 Amity St.
Miss Jennie Creagh, a dashing brunet, has splendidly furnished her place… from top to bottom, sparing neither expense nor labour to render it a place of beauty forever, with it's French mirrors, English and Brussels carpets, rosewood furniture, superb bedding and everything in character. This emporium of love and beauty is one of the finest in the city.


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.


42 W. 15th St. (Advertiser)
Mrs Jane McCord has her establishment… She kept formerly, at 56 W Houston Street. Her present domicile is a parlour house with eight lady boarders, who are lively, pleasant and full of fun. Their sallies are calculated to dispel the clouds of melancholy. This palace is furnished in splendid style and visitors are treated with every attention. It is in all respects a fist class house.


107 W 27th St. (Advertiser)
This house is kept by Miss Fanny Harvey; is newly frescoed, painted and furnished with the most costly furniture, carpets, mirrors and paintings. It has seven lady boarders, young, good-looking and accomplished; they are of a cheerful, lively disposition whose merry laugh resounds through the entire palace of beauty. The transient accommodations for private couples are unsurpassed by any in the city. The landlady herself is ladylike and very entertaining. This is a first class house in every respect; it is quiet and orderly.


128 W 27th St (Advertiser)
Mrs Lizzie Goodrich, the dashing brunette, whose smiling face is ever ready to welcome her patrons keeps this house. Mrs. Lizzie as she is generally called, has five good-looking lady boarders whose cheerful dispositions tend to drive away the blues. There is a regular physician attached to this house, and every attention is shown it's visitors. As a first class house, it is neatly and comfortably fitted up, and is very quiet and orderly.

But where are the Juicy Details and all the acronyms?  "It left me wanting more." lol!

I visted the Museum of sex in Vegas a couple of weeks ago with lady friend.
The art work was interesting and some of the antique sex devices were unique. It is an interesting tour of sex through the ages. We were bummed that we were going to miss the live cunnilingus lecture....including demonstration.... that was scheduled after we left town....maybe we will catch it on our next trip.

I think being left wanting more is sort of the idea

This book was being shown at National Archives. The NYT wrote about it.

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/01/26/on-the-records-a-well-preserved-roadmap-to-perdition/?hp

Thanks for the link.