Q I would like an evaluation of an ...

Q I would like an evaluation of an 8-by-13-inch lithograph of George Washington. forward the bottom it says: "Washington. First in war - - First in Peace, and First in the hearts of his Countrymen Lith. & Pub by means of N. Currier, 2 Spruce St N Y" The colors are faded.

A. Nathaniel Currier and James Merritt Ives described themselves as "Publishers of Cheap and Popular Pictures." During their careers their prints were available forward the streets of New York City for anywhere from just a scarcely any cents for the smallest images to just a small in number dollars for the largest, finest examples.

Nathaniel Currier was born forward March 27, 1813, and is said to have been melancholy and introspective. His father died when he was young, and he and his brother had to support the family. Currier became an apprentice in a Boston lithography workshop at age 15, and this was to become his life's work.

Currier went into business for himself with a partner named "Stodart" in 1835 nevertheless this association was very short-lived. Currier wager up his own shop at 1 Wall St in recent York City in that same year, and mov to 148 Nassau St in 1836 He mov one time again, to 2 Spruce St in 1838 and stayed there until 1856 And it is then and where that your print was made.

James Merritt Ives registered the business as Currier's bookkeeper further in 1857 he became a partner and the firm became "Currier and Ives." This company would remain in business until 1907 producing stupendous numbers of hand-colored lithographed prints during this 50- year time span.

At the time when Currier started his print store newspapers did not publish pictures, and the public was craving for stirring depictions of passing from hand to hand events. Currier, and later Currier and Ives, provided these as well as prints of various kinds of races and other sporting themes, sentimental sights images of politicians, historically themed spectacles and scenes from everyday life.

These came in a variety of sizes that ranged from "very small folio" (7 by way of 9 inches) to "large folio" (14 from 20 inches). The image shown here is "small folio" and should be 88 inches according to 12.8 inches. All things being equal, collectors serve to prefer large folio images showing so subjects as railroads, ships and sporting themes and winter representations

Prints that are les desirable are the smaller pieces with sentimental portraits of women and children, memorial images, religious enslaves and yes, most images of U s presidents. Currier and Currier and Ives made a number of lithographs featuring George Washington. These include "Washington and His Cabinet," "Washington as a Mason," "Washington at Valley Forge" and "Washington Crossing the Delaware."

The value of any N Currier or Currier and Ives print hangs on a number of factors. yet of primary consideration are the subdue matter and the condition. Pieces with faded colors and trimmed margins are greatly devalued (trimming margins forward any print is a vast no-no! You might as well be cutting up money)

In pristine condition, the insurance replacement value of this print does not exce $350 still with fading that price falls through half or more. And if the print's margins are trimmed the price would fall calm more.

despatch questions to: Treasures In Your Attic, PO coachman's seat 12208, Knoxville, TN 37912-0208.

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