American engineer (1866–1945) who developed the first submarine to operate successfully on the open seas. Full, detailed, original signed pencil sketch of the Hub of the Metropolis at Battery Park in New York City on an 8 x 9.5 off-white page of graph paper. Signed “S. L. June 4, ‘39.” In very good condition with heavy brown paperclip traces to a portion of the title, an area of paper loss to the left side, not affecting any portion of the artwork, and scattered light wrinkling and soiling. Dating to—and perhaps inspired by—the New York World’s Fair, this elegant design includes a circular stairway, elevated park, a building of “offices, movie theater, restaurant, etc.” and an observation platform. Battery Park is a 25-acre public park located at the southern tip of Manhattan, named after a military battery that was stationed there at various times by the Dutch and British to protect nearby settlements. A very rare and specific example of Lake’s brilliance! RRAuction COA.
