Currier and Ives, 1861, Hand Colored Lithograph. Titled "Summer Fruits" at middle bottom. Information and date above title and beneath image from left to right. Depicts a variety of fruits piled together, including pears, cherries, strawberries, and apples.

Overall size: 18 1/2 X 22 3/4 in.

Image size: 11 1/2 X 17 1/2 in.

#1622 .

Currier and Ives was a New York City-based printmaking business operating from 1835 to 1907. It was founded by Nathaniel Currier (1813-88), who had been working in lithography since he was 15 and used the process to quickly and cheaply dispense images of topical news stories in what he deemed “disaster prints,” starting with the 1835 Great Fire of New York. The corporate name was changed in 1857 to Currier and Ives when James Merritt Ives (1824-95), the company’s bookkeeper and accountant, was invited to become Currier’s partner. Ives expanded the firm’s range to include political satire and sentimental scenes, such as sleigh rides in the snow. At least 7,500 hand-colored lithographs were published in the firm’s 72 years, producing more than a million prints. Many celebrated artists of the day, including James E. Buttersworth, George Inness, and Thomas Nast worked for them. Ives remained active in the firm after Currier’s death, and their sons continued the business until it was eventually liquidated. Today original Currier and Ives prints are highly sought after by collectors, and modern reproductions, especially their winter scenes, are commonly used for Christmas cards.

Location Box 8