Nathaniel Currier was born in Roxbury, a neighborhood of Greater Boston, in 1813. When he was eight years old, his father died, leaving him (and his 11 year old brother) to support his mother and two younger siblings. After several odd jobs, he found himself as an apprentice to a printmaker—and the trajectory of his life was determined.
In 1835, at 22 years of age, Currier established his own print studio in New York City. His aim was to create "cheap and popular prints" for the American public. And he succeeded wonderfully. One of his earliest prints (in his very first year) depicted the ruins of The Merchant Exchange after a fire had swept-through downtown New York City. It sold a thousand copies in four days. From that point onwards, Currier often depicted newsworthy disasters—which always proved to sell briskly. He also captured scenes of classic American life: on the rivers, in the country, and in the city. Sentimental subjects appealed to the Victorian customer. Currier's hand-colored pictures were found in homes across America. In 1857, Currier's bookkeeper, James Merritt Ives, became partner and the company was renamed Currier and Ives.
Their operation was located at 33 Spruce Street in Lower Manhattan (a stone's throw from the site which would become the WTC towers over a century later). Over the company's 72 years, Currier and Ives produced over 7,500 different prints—two or three new prints each week. The process began by etching the design directly upon a limestone block (which could take up to a week to complete). Each individual print was "hand-pulled" on the press. The early works were printed in black and white and then hand-colored by a team of immigrant women, mostly from Germany. These "colorists" worked in an assembly line fashion, each artist painting one color.
Currier and Ives had their own shop but they also employed pushcart vendors and street peddlers to sell the prints. They were also sold by direct mail and via wholesale (to retailers) across America and in London. Small prints sold for a modest 5¢ to 20¢. Larger prints sold for $1.00 to $3.00.
The print above, titled The Little Brothers, was published in 1863. Although it is appealingly sentimental, it may also convey a deeper meaning. Remember, in 1863 the American Civil War was well underway. It was a time when the fighting might be "brother against brother." This print, showing brothers clasping hands, was a reminder of better times in America—and, perhaps, a vision of the peace to come. Click on the photo above to learn more about this handsome print.
Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well! Please visit our on-line store where we continue to sell Handsome Gifts (www.LEOdesignNYC.com).
We also can be found in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, at The Antique Center of Strabane (www.antiquecenterofstrabane.com).
Or call to arrange to visit our Pittsburgh showroom (by private appointment only). 917-446-4248