The Star Spangled Banner
Currier & Ives, c. 1870

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Star Spangled Banner
Star Spangled Banner
The Star Spangled Banner [No.] 486
Currier & Ives, 152 Nassau Street, New York: c. 1870
Hand-colored lithograph
11.5 x 8.5 inches, image
15.75 x 11.75 inches, overall
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Lady Liberty crowned with an American crest bears the American flag as she points forward to victory. The fires of the battle burn in the distance -- presumably the defense of Fort McHenry by American forces during the British attack on September 13, 1814 (in the War of 1812) that inspired Francis Scott Key to write The Star Spangled Banner.

Several phrases from the song The Star Spangled Banner serve as the title printed in the lower margin: "O! long may it wave,/ O'er the land of the free,/ And the home of the brave."

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 or 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.

Reference:

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