The Great East River Bridge
Currier & Ives Print of Brooklyn Bridge: 1872

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The Great East River Bridge
The Great East River Bridge The Great East River Bridge
The Great East River Bridge
The Great East River Bridge The Great East River Bridge The Great East River Bridge
The Great East River Bridge
Currier & Ives, New York: 1872
Tinted lithograph
10 x 14 inches, overall
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Small folio Currier & Ives lithograph of the Brooklyn Bridge, looking southeast from Manhattan towards Brooklyn, or as it is titled in the lower margin, "The Great East River Bridge: To Connect the Cities of New York & Brooklyn." The view was published two years into construction of the bridge, which opened 11 years later, in 1883. Sailboats and a ferry are on the placid waters. The bridge walkway is filled with groups of pedestrians. The lithograph is executed in shades of black, yellow, blue and brown. A text in two columns, on either side of the title in the lower margin, describes the planned span:

The Bridge is to cross the river by a single span of 1,600 feet, to start on the New York side from the City hall, rising by a gradual approach of 2,381 feet in length, and on the Brooklyn side by an approach of 1,881 feet, its elevation above the river in the centre of the bridge will be 130 feet, its floor is to be 80 feet wide, with tracks for steam-cars, roadway for carriages, and walks for foot-passengers; it is to have an elevated promenade commanding a view of extraordinary beauty and extent; and its cost is to be about $8,000,000.

Pictures of the bridge were a popular item for Currier & Ives, which produced no fewer than 19 lithographs under the title "The Great East River Bridge" during a 20-year period beginning in 1872, when this, the first one, was published (Conningham 2584). The prints ranged in dimensions from postcard size to one about two by three feet overall. The views themselves also varied, some from the Brooklyn side, some from the Manhattan side, some with different details such as the types of boats in the water or with additional explanatory text.  See also a large Currier & Ives print of the bridge, published in 1883.

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: "Published by Currier & Ives. Entered according to act of Congress in the year 1872 by Currier & Ives, in the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington. 125 Nassau St. New York."

References:

Bonfante-Warren, Alexandra. Currier & Ives: Portraits of a Nation. New York: Friedman/Fairfax, 1998. pp. 9, 23-41, 57, 94.

Conningham, Frederic A.  Currier and Ives Prints: An Illustrated Check List.  New York: Crown, 1949. 2597, pp. 118-119.