Currier & Ives
"Publishers of Cheap and Popular Pictures"
Ohio Historical Center

In 1834, 20-year-old Nathaniel Currier purchased a print shop in New York City. Relying on his experience as an apprentice lithographer, he began printing reproductions. He soon learned there was public interest and money in printing images of stories in the news; at that time newspapers did not include pictures. He achieved his first success when a lithograph of a fire aboard the steamship Lexington was included in a January, 1840 issue of the New York Sun. With that issue, the New York Sun became one of the first illustrated newspapers anywhere. Access to affordable prints increased the public’s interest in owning pictures and Currier began producing prints of everything from landscapes to art prints. In 1852, Currier hired his famous counterpart, James Ives, to be his accountant. Ives showed his value by modernizing the company's bookkeeping, reorganizing inventory and streamlining the print process. Currier quickly made Ives a full partner forming the famous firm, Currier & Ives. At the time of the shop’s close in 1907, Currier & Ives produced over a million copies of roughly 7,500 unique images.

More than 35 original Currier & Ives lithographs will be on display, including 10 of their most popular winter landscape scenes. Admission to Currier & Ives: Illustrating America is free with regular museum admission.