Steamboat Times
Printmakers Currier & Ives, headed by Nathaniel Currier (1813-1888) and James Merritt Ives (1824-1895), produced some of the most popular American art of the 19th century. The company specialized in publishing inexpensive hand-colored lithographic prints for the growing American middle class. It is estimated that over 8500 lithograph titles were published by 'Currier and Ives' between 1834 and 1907, and more than one million lithographic prints made.
Eclipse Loading Cotton
     
Credit: Currier and Ives.
Enlargement: 1345x830pxs.
 Loading Cotton on the Mississippi ~ 1870

This depicts the steamboat "Eclipse" at a landing on the Mississippi, loading bales of cotton.
A Midnight Race on the Mississippi

Credit: Currier and Ives.
Enlargement: 1263x821pxs.
A Midnight Race on the Mississippi  ~ 1860

(Also 1866, 1875)

The original for this print was completed by Frances F. Palmer, working from a drawing by H.D. Manning. Frances Palmer had a prodigious output, contributing more works than any of the other regular artists in the employ of Currier & Ives.

The two steamboats racing under a full moon are the "Natchez" and the "Eclipse". Another version shows the "Memphis" and the "James Howard."
Bound Down The River

Credit: Currier and Ives.
Enlargement: 1348x826pxs.
 Bound Down The River  ~ circa 1870

This shows a flatboat, a sternwheeler, a sidewheeler at a landing, and other boats in the distance. The flatboatmen are typically sitting on top of the flatboat, and one is dancing a "jig".
The Levee at New Orleans

Credit: Currier and Ives.
Enlargement: 1340x690pxs.
 The Levee at New Orleans ~ 1884

A busy New Orleans scene.
Pittsburgh, Water Street by Gaslight

Credit: Currier and Ives.
Enlargement: 1340x690pxs.
 High Water on the Mississippi ~ 1868

Depicts a flooded plantation area with group of black slaves are on the floating roof of a cabin, using poles to maneuver. The steamer "Stonewall Jackson" is visible in the background.
Low Water on the Mississippi
Credit: Currier and Ives.
Enlargement: 1340x723pxs.
 Low Water on the Mississippi ~ 1867

Here, a sidewheeler, sternwheeler and a flatboat run during low water, with snags in the river resulting from eroding riverbanks.
Rounding a Bend on the Mississippi
Credit: Currier and Ives.
Enlargement: 1346x696pxs.
 Rounding a Bend on the Mississippi ~ 1866

Full title:
'Rounding a Bend on the Mississippi. Steamboat Queen of the West / The Parting Salute'

This depicts the "Queen of the West" rounding a bend in the river and firing a parting salute from the stern to two steamboats travelling behind.
A Cotton Plantation on the Mississippi
Credit: Currier and Ives.
Enlargement: 1396x776pxs.
 A Cotton Plantation on the Mississippi ~ 1884

Full title:
'A Cotton Plantation on the Mississippi. The Harvest, 1884.'
Champions of the Mississippi
Credit: Currier and Ives.
Enlargement: 1751x1167pxs.
 Champions of the Mississippi ~ 1866

Full title:
'Champions of the Mississippi. Race For the Buckhorns.'

Depicts the "Queen of the West" racing the "Morning Star". Another boat is just behind them. Spectators cheer from the bank near a large bonfire. The victor was entitled to mount the "the buckhorns" between her stacks for a year.
The Great Race on the Mississippi
Credit: Currier and Ives.
Enlargement: 988x627pxs.
 The Great Race on the Mississippi

Text reads:
'From New Orleans to St. Louis, July 1870. Between R.E. Lee, Capt. John W Cannon and Natchez, Capt. Leathers. Won by R.E. Lee. Time: 3 days, 18 hours and 30 minutes. Distance 1210 miles.'

On a subsequent update of this print the minutes were corrected to '14.'
Wooding Up on the Mississippi - Version 1
Credit: Currier and Ives.
Enlargement: 679x439pxs.
 Wooding Up on the Mississippi (Version 1) ~ 1863

(Also 1866)

Artist Fanny Flora Bond Palmer.

Depicts the "Princess" at a landing, loading wood.
Wooding Up on the Mississippi - Version 2
Credit: Currier and Ives.
Enlargement: 1267x461pxs.
 Wooding Up on the Mississippi (Version 2) ~ 1863

(Also 1866)

Artist Fanny Flora Bond Palmer.

Depicts the "Princess" at a landing, loading wood.


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