Chicago, As It Was
Currier & Ives Bird’s-Eye View

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Chicago, As It Was
Detail of Chicago map Detail of Chicago map
Chicago, As It Was
Currier & Ives, New York: Last Quarter 19th Century
Hand-colored lithograph
8.25 x 12.75 inches, image
10 x 13.5 inches, overall
Sold, please inquire as to the availability of similar items.

Bird’s-eye view of Chicago from above Lake Michigan, showing the city as it looked before the Great Chicago Fire in October 1871. Clipper ships and steamboats are in the harbor, and the rail yard prominently featured in the center. Below the image are names of landmarks and geographical features that appear directly above the text: “Lake Park, Mouth of River, South Branch River, Court House, North Branch River, Dr. Colyer’s Church.” A version of this image credited to Theodore R. Davis was published in Harper’s Weekly a few weeks after the fire. Nonetheless, the major collections that own this Currier & Ives print do not list a mapmaker or artist. Apparently it was published sometime thereafter.

The lithography firm of Currier & Ives was founded in 1834 by Nathaniel Currier as N. Currier, Lithographer, and based in New York. In 1852, he brought his brother-in-law, James Merritt Ives, into the business and renamed the firm Currier & Ives five years later. They were extremely prolific and highly successful, producing almost 7,500 different separately issued art prints through the 19th century until 1907, aptly advertising themselves as "Print-makers to the American People." Their prints were issued in either small, medium and large folio, though some particularly popular images were issued in more than one size. Dozens of American artists in the mid 19th century painted primarily for lithographic reproduction by Currier & Ives and other firms. To please a broad audience, the firm presented a warmly positive vision of America, frequently sentimental, and sometimes with a touch of humor. Currier & Ives prints generally portrayed the American landscape, scenery and landmarks, including the westward expansion, as well as daily life in both urban and rural settings. Their sporting and maritime subjects were particularly popular. These prints are now highly collectible as records of American history, as fine works of American art, and for their decorative appeal.

Full publication information: New York, Published by Currier & Ives, 125 Nassau St.

References:

Bonfante-Warren, Alexandra. Currier & Ives: Portraits of a Nation. New York: Friedman/Fairfax, 1998. pp. 9, 23-41.

Conningham, Frederic A. Currier and Ives Prints: An Illustrated Check List. New York: Crown, 1949. 1026.