Tinted Lithograph of Picturesque Camp Scene Along Maple River, Minnesota - 1856

Title: Sauk River Landscape - Tinted Lithograph from the Pacific Railroad Survey, 1856 Description: This serene lithograph, "Sauk River," presents a picturesque view of the lush a...

Title: Serene Landscape of Lake Jessie with Idyllic Reflections – 19th-Century Lithograph Description: This stunning lithograph captures the tranquil beauty of Lake Jessie, a ser...

"October Afternoon" Maintains the appropriate markings along with "New York, Published by N. Currier 152 Nassau Street. (The firm was located here in lower Manhattan from 1837-1872) The lithograph illustrates two men and their dog with young son (hunting rifle over shoulder) in tow, returning from the rabbit hunt with their catch being presented to the lady of the house with baby in arms. The gated mansion is in the background while geese float upon the fertile pond in the background. In addition to the Amon Carter Museum in Dallas, an example of "Pleasures of Winter" is in: The Metropolitan Museum of Art (Bequest of Adele S. Colgate, 1962) Museum of Fine Arts Boston (Donated by Lee M. Friedman) The Library of Congress The Yale University Art Gallery (Gift of Mabel Brady Garvan Collection) Dimensions: actual= 16 1/2" h x 23 13/16" w matte= 19 1/2" h x 25 1/4" w folio= 21 1/4" h x 27 3/4" w with frame= 26 1/4" h x 32 1/4" w frame= 1 1/4" burl bird's eye maple It is in very good all original condition; and housed and professionally mounted in a fine quality and attractive bird's eye maple wooden frame with preservation backing and frontal protective glass (important when dealing with 170 year old lithographs); it is the rare and desirable Currier large folio sheet example in fine original color. There is some slight foxing to the cream border and minor fading (see images), The larger folios are more rare because they appealed to the wealthier sector of the population and were more expensive, thus fewer were made, albeit, knowing their more discerning customer base, there was more attention given to detail; hand coloring, and quality for example. This example has been framed and housed in museum quality conservation backing for over 80 years. I have had it professionally taken apart and I inspected the folio visually, and examined it with a black light and loop; as a result, I guarantee and can attest to the accuracy of my description of the lithograph. I then had the folio professionally remounted in it's original frame with an upgraded preservation backing (see images of original folios out of frame and for confirmation of inspection). This lithograph has no tears, no touch up paint, and no glued or taped repairs. This is one of the four iconic and highly desirable set of lithographs made by Nathaniel Currier (1813-1888) dated 1855 from the American Country Life series. They are named; Spring "May Morning"; Summer "Summer Evening"; Fall ""October Afternoon"; and Winter "Pleasures of Winter". The lithograph was produced from the painting of well known artist Frances (Fanny) Flora (Bond Palmer (1812-1876). She painted typical American scenes of daily American life that were used by Currier for years to come. She was an accomplished artist by the time she migrated to the United States from England, and Currier commissioned her to do the country scenes for this series. Each of the original images are toned lithographs with applied hand painted watercolor. The lithograph reflects an affluent life style, showcasing grandiose homes and glamorizing the rural way of living as urban areas became more densely populated with the tidal wave and arrival of immigrants. Nathaniel Currier began his lithograph business in 1835 with hand colored images portraying outdoor panoramic, historical, pastoral, and landmark scenes and events, with which the middle class and the wealthy sought to decorate their houses. James Ives (1824-1895) was his accountant) and would join him later in 1857 to help run the business. The hand painted lithograph is embellished with script text in the bottom margin of the folio "Entered according to art of congress in the year 1855 by N. Currier in the clerk's office of the southern district of N.Y." "F.F Palmer...

In the mid-nineteenth century, the United States government set out to survey and document its newly acquired lands and territories west of the Mississippi. The goals of these surveys were manifold: to produce topographical maps, to document flora and fauna, and to document natural resources to build the emerging US economy. These surveys, and the images from them, also functioned to build the new sense of American identity with the landscape, condensing vistas into the 'picturesque' tradition of European image making. Thus, the entire span of US territory could be seen as a single, cohesive whole. This lithograph comes from one of six surveys commissioned by the Army's Topographic Bureau in 1853, which sought to find the best route to construct a transcontinental railroad. The result was a thirteen-volume report including maps, lithographs, and technical data entitled 'Explorations and Surveys to ascertain the most practicable and economical route for a Railroad from the Mississippi river to the Pacific Ocean.' Along with the image, Stanley also noted in the report of the Maple River: "It would be an excellent plan for an emigrant travelling through the country, before reaching one of these rivers on which he expects to camp, to catch a few frogs, for the purpose of fishing in these streams, which abound pike, picarel, and large catfish. Frogs are by far the best bait that can be used." This note from the artist perhaps describes some of the actions of the figures in the camp in the foreground of the image. 5.75 x 8.75 inches, image 6.5 x 9.25 inches, stone 13.25 x 16.25 inches, frame Artist 'Stanley Del.' lower left Entitled 'Maple River' lower center margin Publisher 'Sarony, Major & Knapp. Lith.s 449 Broadway N.Y.' lower right Inscribed 'U.S.P.R.R. EXP. & SURVEYS — 47th & 49th PARALLELS' upper left Inscribed 'GENERAL REPORT — PLATE VIII' upper right Framed to conservation standards using 100 percent rag matting and Museum Glass to inhibit fading; housed in a brass-surface aluminium moulding. John Mix...