James Ives started as the firm’s bookkeeper in 1852 and five years later became Currier’s partner. Neither being an artist, Currier & Ives pictures were drawn and lithographed by others and published by the partners. Nathaniel Currier died in 1888 and James Ives died in 1895. The firm carried on until 1907 under the direction of their sons, Edward W. Currier and Chauncey Ives.

Calling themselves “Printmakers to the People”, they provided for the American public a pictorial history of their country’s growth from an agricultural society to an industrialized one. They were undoubtedly the most prolific firm of lithographers. The lithographs constitute practically our only source of colored pictures of every phase of American life and history of their period. The collector has an almost unlimited selection of subjects to choose from hunting, fishing, whaling, views of cities, rural scenes, historical, clipper ships, yachts, steamboats, Mississippi River scenes, Hudson River scenes, railroads, religion, comics, gold mining, western scenes, advertising, sentimental, foreign views, trotting, temperance, winter scenes, portraits, and flower and fruit still lives. Most Currier & Ives lithographs are hand colored, but they did issue some uncolored. The smaller and less expensive prints were usually colored by a group of young women. Each girl applied a single color, then passed the piece on to the next girl and so on until the coloring was completed. Images with large runs were often colored using stencils. The larger and more expensive prints generally were colored individually by skilled colorists. All of the original Currier & Ives were printed from lithographic stones on which the drawing was done entirely by hand. The lithographs were intended for a mass market, so they were sold inexpensively. The smaller prints sold for about 20 cents each, with the larger ones selling between $1.00 – $3.00. Though the firm did not issue all their lithographs in standard sizes, they are usually grouped into three basic categories. Small folio: approximately 8″ x 12 1/2″; medium folio: approximately 10″-14″ x 14″-20″; and large folio: anything over about 14″ x 20″. The average Currier & Ives is now about 145 years old. It is a rare piece that can boast that it has no stains, tears, time tone, foxing, trimming or any one of many other defects. Many were tacked, glued or nailed to posts and walls. Luckily, thousands have survived despite human apathy and ignorance. Unless these defects are extreme they should not deter one from a purchase. Just be aware that the value depends on the condition of the art. The popularity of Currier & Ives is growing. Many books have been written about them. They have been reproduced on Christmas decorations and cards, plates, calendars, place mats and many other items. A Currier & Ives original water colored lithograph can often be identified with a magnifying glass and by the size of the art.