Miss Manhattan (a character; a play; a musical; a statue; an artists’ model; garments; a book)
“Mss Manhattan” has been the name of a character, a play, a musical, a statue, an artists’ model, garments, and a book.
In the 1880s, humorous dialogue was given with such names as “Miss Columbia” or “Miss Boston” or “Miss Chicago.” The name “Miss Manhattan” was cited in print in the Evening Capital Journal (Salem, OR) on April 9, 1888.
The play (with music) called Miss Manhattan (book by George V. Hobart, music by F. Puehringer and Herman Perlet) opened in New York City at Wallack’s Theatre on March 23, 1897.
The famous artists’ model Audrey Munson (1891-1996) was frequently called “Miss Manhattan,” based on her many statues in Manhattan and her work for the Manhattan Bridge. “ALL NEW YORK BOWS TO THE REAL MISS MANHATTAN,” an article about Audrey Munson, was printed in The Sun (New York, NY), on June 8, 1913.
The sculptor Daniel Chester French did the statues “Brooklyn” (or “Miss Brooklyn”) and “Manhattan” (or “Miss Manhattan”) in 1915. The statues were relocated to the exterior entrance of the Brooklyn Museum of Art in 1963. In her 1921 newspaper series “Queen of the Artists’ Studios,” Munson claimed that she had posed for both. In an article in 1915, it was stated that Julia S. Gilbert (1892-1934, daughter of famous architect Cass Gilbert) has posed for the face, and that professional models were used for the other parts.
“Miss Manhattan” was the name of garments (such as suits and coats) for young women. These garments were sold between the years 1918 and the 1940s.
Elyssa Maxx Goodman (@MissManhattanNY)—a drag queen—joined X/Twitter in 2010. She has been the hostess of the Miss Manhattan Non-Fiction Reading.
The book Miss Manhattan (2025) by Stephen Wolf was published by Koehler Books. The book is about Audrey Munson. The musical Miss Manhattan (2025), also about Audrey Munson and in the same year, has a score by Graham and Kristina Fuller, and a book by the Fullers and Stephanie Ronco.
Wikipedia: Audrey Munson
Audrey Marie Munson (June 8, 1891 – February 20, 1996) was an American artist’s model and film actress, considered to be “America’s first supermodel.” In her time, she was variously known as “Miss Manhattan”, the “Panama–Pacific Girl”, the “Exposition Girl” and “American Venus.” She was the model or inspiration for more than twelve statues in New York City, and many others elsewhere. Munson appeared in four silent films, including unclothed in Inspiration (1915). She was one of the first American actresses to appear nude in a non-pornographic film.
Wikipedia: Daniel Chester French
Daniel Chester French (April 20, 1850 – October 7, 1931) was an American sculptor in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
(...)
Brooklyn and Manhattan, seated figures from the Manhattan Bridge, Brooklyn Museum in Brooklyn, New York City (1915)
Newspapers.com
9 April 1888, Evening Capital Journal (Salem, OR), pg. 4, col. 5:
At the poker table. Miss Chicago—Oh my, wasn’t that too funny? Why, I won all that pot, and I stood on a pair of nines.
Miss Manhattan—You generally do, I believe.
Newspapers.com
Uncertain.
20 May 1888, Trenton (NJ) Sunday Advertiser, pg. 6, col. 2:
Mr. Van Rensellaer—Do you go to Europe this summer, Miss Manhattan?
Miss Manhattan—It is uncertain. (...)—Boston Courier.
IBDB (Internet Broadway Database)
Miss Manhattan
Musical Comedy
ABOUT THIS SHOW
Music by: F. Puehringer, Herman Perlet; Book by: George V. Hobart
DescriptionA Dream, in Three Acts
Mar 23, 1897–Closing date unknown
Wallack’s Theatre, New York, NY
Newspapers.com
24 March 1897, The Sun (New York, NY), pg. 7, col. 4:
THEATRICAL AMUSEMENTS
A NEW EXTRAVAGANZA AND AN
OLD COMEDY ON OUR STAGE.
Phases of New York Life Funnily Travelled
in “Miss Manhattan” at Wallack’s
(...)
An extravaganza entitled “Miss Manhattan made a funny entertainment at Wallack’s Theatre last night. If a critical rating based upon this first performance must be made for it, the affair must be set down as midway between success and failure. Considered as to its pretence of being a play, it must be denounced as worthless, it has the merest semblance of dramatic form. A young and sportive Knickerbocker dreams that an old Knickerbocker comes to life, and thereupon the dreamer shows the present city ot him. The device is by no means new, and it has been used with much more skill. But if “Miss Manhattan” be regarded as a vaudeville show it will do very well as it is, and may easily be developed into a better condition. It is in hardly a suitable theatre. It would be better off in a house commonly devoted to nonsense, and probably it is not well situated in Broadway at all. The book is by George W. Hobart, and it is a crude composition, scant in original ideas, and not apt in its transfers from other sources. The characters are familiar acquaintances, whom New York audiences have encountered in liveliers moods and under more jovial circumstances. The new music by F. Pushringer and Herman Periet, and most of it is as amateurish as the rest of the piece.
But there are some clever actors and amusing specialists in the company, and they worked hard for the measure of success which was attained. Reuben Fax characertized the resuscitated Knickerbocker well, and was droll on his representation of the old fellow’ s perplexities and astonishments.
William Cameron was more athletic than artful as the present-day Knickerbocker. In association with George Hawley he was laughable in some grotesque dances. Mamie Gilroy was the principal soubrette. She was a plump and pleasing little woman. The most applauded constiuent in the affair was a street parade by women in military uniforms to the music of an inspiring march played by a band of women. The scenery was first rate. It showed in succession Fifth avenue at the Lotus Club, Union Square, the interior of Madison Square Garden, and the Casino in Central Park. Dancing, singing, bicycling, and burlesquing were done in these familiar places, and a good proportion of the foolery excited merriment.
OCLC WorldCat
Miss Manhattan : march and two-step
Author:
William Frederick Peters (Composer)
Musical Score, No Linguistic Content, 1897
Publisher: Howley, Haviland & Co., New York, 1897
OCLC WorldCat
“Miss Manhattan.” [Song.] Words and music by A.H. Fitz
Author:Albert H. Fitz
Musical Score, Undefined, [1899]
Publisher: F.A. Mills, [New York], [1899]
OCLC WorldCat
Miss Manhattan. [Song.] Words and music by E.B. Adams
Author:Edward B. Adams
Musical Score, Undefined, 1910
Publisher: M. Witmark & Sons, New York, etc, 1910
Newspapers.com
8 June 1913, The Sun (New York, NY), fourth section, pg. 9, col. 1:
ALL NEW YORK BOWS TO THE REAL MISS MANHATTAN
Audrey Munson. who Tops the Municipal Build-
ing as Civic Pride and Decorates Other Parts
of the City in Various Guises, to Typify New
York Feminity on Manhattan Bridge
MISS MANHATTAN is here, and here to stay—the real Miss Manhattan at last. SHe will have her place on the bridge after which she is called.
The New York girl who has posed for this work by C. A. Heber, the sculptor, is a typical Miss Manhattan. In recent years many men and women have made the acquaintance of this young woman. She is Miss Audrey Marie Munson, and it is said she has posed for more deocative works than any one else. Over one hundred artists agree that if the name of Miss Manhattan belongs to any one in particular it is to this young woman of the laughing eyes, smooth, sleek hair and features that lend themselves to everything from a blessed damosel to a laughing dancing girl by Robert I. Aitken.
(Col. 6.—ed.)
“She is the real Miss Manhattan now,” said Mr. Heber, in speaking of Miss Munson, “and really she ought to be, too. She has grit, determination and, best of all, a sense of humor.”
Newspapers.com
9 May 1915, Sunday Tribune (Los Angeles, CA), Magazine sec., pg. 1, col. 4:
Society Girl Poses for
Manhattan Statue
When the sculptor, Daniel F. (“C” is correct.—ed.) French, began to look around for a model for his heroic-sized bronze atatue of “Miss Manhattan,” which is to stand on the Brooklyn approach to the Manhattan Bridge in Greater New York City, he had considerable difficulty in finding just the type he wanted. Model after model was rejected until he finally turned his eyes away from the professional ranks and began to look for his ideal in the ranks of the society beauties, where he found Miss Julia S. Gilbert, daughter of Cass Gilbert of New York. Miss GIlb ert filled the bill exactly and after some persuasion agreed to pose for the head and face of the statue. Professional models were used for the other lines. The statue weighs twnety tons, is twelve feet high, and will be mounted on a fifteen-foot white granite pylon.
(Also posted in this newspapers.—ed.)
Newspapers.com
21 November 1917, Kansas City (MO) STar, pg. 3, col. 1:
“Miss Manhattan” to Wed.
Miss Julia S. Gilbert, who posed for the figure, “Miss Manhattan,” which greets the Brooklynite as he approaches the Brooklyn end of the Manhattan Bridge, will be married to Charles Morgan Post. Both Miss GIlbert and Mr. Post live in New York.
Newspapers.com
12 August 1918, Ottawa (KS) Herald, pg. 6, col. 1 ad:
Miss Manhattan Suitsand Coats
(The Fashion Shop.—ed.)
Newspapers.com
18 August 1918, Daily East Oregonian (Pendleton, OR), pg. 10, col. 5 ad:
Youthful
SUITS
For Fall
Miss Manhattan in her happiest mood chooses suits like this, slender, youthful, and “so smart.” A mere matter of a belt, a pocket or a row of buttons appears to work a miracle. You’ll find Miss Manhattan Coats and Suits in our store at the self-same moment they appear on Fifth Ave.,—while they are really the newest note of the mode. Every express brings us new suits, new coats, new dresses, new waists and new skirts. See them!
The Paris
PENDLETON, OREGON
Newspapers.com
28 August 1918, Daily East Oregonian (Pendleton, OR), pg. 8, col. 5 ad:
Youthful Smartness in Every Line
By special arrangement we are able to offer you these Miss Manhattan modes at the very moment they are accepted and worn on the most fashionable thoroughfare in America.
(...)
The Paris
EXCLUSIVE PENDLETON REPRESENTATIVES OF MISS MANHATTAN GARMENTS
Newspapers.com
6 October 1918, Oakland (CA) Tribune, pg. 28, col. 6 ad:
Miss Manhattan
Suits and Coats
(Kahn’s store.—ed.)
Newspapers.com
6 October 1920, The Morning Oregonian (Portland, OR) , pg. 24, col. 1 ad:
Two Big Sales of
Miss Manhattan
SUITS $57.50 COATS $39.50
For Misses 16 to 20 Years
“Miss Manhattan” is the sign of youthful clothes of the better sort—and Miss Manhattan garments are to be had in Portland only at Meier & Frank’s.
Newspapers.com
23 January 1921, The Salt Lake Tribune (Slat Lake City, UT), “By the ‘Queen of the Artists’ Studios’” by Audrey Munson, Magazine sec., pg. 1, col. 1:
Daniel C. French, dean of American sculptors, whose nobel creations in stone, “Miss Manhattan” at one end and “Miss Brooklyn” at the other end of the Williamsburg Bridge (Manhattan Bridge if correct.—ed.), across the East River, of New York, present me to the view of the hundreds of thousands who cross this great bridge every day in the year, once asked me this question.
X/Twitter
Elyssa Maxx Goodman
@MissManhattanNY
Writer! Photographer! Glamour!
Author, GLITTER AND CONCRETE: A Cultural History of Drag in New York City 💋
Hostess, Miss Manhattan Non-Fiction Reading
Writer New York, NY harpercollins.com/products/glitt…Joined December 2010
OCLC WorldCat
Miss Manhattan
Author:Biman Roy
eBook, English, 2022
Publisher: Author Reputation Press, LLC, La Vergne, 2022
OCLC WorldCat
Miss Manhattan
Author:Stephen Wolf
eBook, English, 2025
Koehler Books
Miss Manhattan
by Stephen Wolf
Miss Manhattan
Audrey Munson’s radiant rise begins with New York’s great self-glorification at the 1909 Hudson-Fulton Celebration. Centerpiece for its grand banquet: a marble sculpture of the three graces. Eighteen-year-old Audrey modeled for all three.
Soon she is posing for statues before the Plaza Hotel and atop the Municipal Building, among others, and she is the first woman to appear naked in a movie. But times and tastes change-and then come the horrors of the Great War, when artists no longer sculpt lofty themes such as “virtue” and “beauty.” Her luminescent career eventually darkens into a trail of loss and despair.
Then, in 1990, a young artist gradually recognizes the same face on statues throughout the city, inspiring an intricate and often frustrating search that will lead two remarkable women to touch hands across generations.
Pages: 152
Pub Date: 04-29-2025
Softcover: 17.95 979-8-88824-682-5
Hardcover: 25.95 979-8-88824-684-9
Ebook: 7.99 979-8-88824-683-2
Miss Manhattan (musical)
ABOUT MISS MANHATTAN
MISS MANHATTAN is a new musical inspired by the true story of Audrey Munson, America’s “first supermodel,” whose often-nude statues adorn the New York City skyline. Allegedly cursed as a child, Audrey’s meteoric rise to fame meant brushing elbows with Rockefellers, Whitneys, and Astors, but her abrupt fall was punctuated by scandal and murder.
Why has Audrey been largely forgotten, despite her image enduring around the world? In modern day, precocious but awkward 8th grader Claire seeks to learn more about Audrey and what it means to be “beautiful.”
Their stories come together with a compelling score by Graham and Kristina Fuller (off-Broadway’s “That Parenting Musical,” f/k/a “In the Trenches”), and a book by the Fullers and Stephanie Ronco. The star-studded cast includes Anne Terze-Schwarz, Megan Van De Hey, Sophia Dotson, Vidushi Goyal, Scott Rathbun, Katja Podsiadly, Elton Tanega, Graham and Kristina Fuller (the composers), and more.