Currier & Ives American Homestead Seasons Series
My grandparents gave these to me when they were downsizing years ago. They hung on the wall in their den for decades. Iâve reviewed the Conningham book and a few other Internet resources to determine whether these are original lithographic prints and am inclined to believe that yes, they are.
Counterpoint for consideration: My spouse insists that the closeup view looks like âthey were made on a machine.â The prints themselves would predate modern dot matrices given how long they lived with my grandparentsâ, but itâs possible that given the popularity of the series, these could be prints reproductions from the 1970s or the 1940s or the early 1900s.
Anyway, let me know if you want to discuss with us. Thanks đ
Currier & Ives âAmerican Homesteadâ Seasons Series
Title: Currier & Ives âAmerican Homesteadâ Seasons Series
Artist/Publisher: Currier & Ives
Date of Publication: 1868
Medium: Hand-colored stone lithographs on woven paper
Size: Approx. 7.9" x 12.5" image area with wide margins
Condition: Excellent â clean, sharp imagery with no visible foxing, toning, or staining.
Provenance: Handed down from userâs grandparents; displayed in their home for decades.
Description:
This is a complete set of small folio hand-colored lithographs by Currier & Ives titled âAmerican Homesteadâ depicting Winter, Spring, Summer, and Autumn. Published in 1868, this iconic series illustrates 19th-century rural American life through seasonal depictions of family farms. Each print is marked with a line of copyright text below the title, confirming the 1868 publication and attribution to the Currier & Ives firm at 152 Nassau Street, New York.
Under magnification, the image detail and coloration indicate stone lithography with hand-applied color, consistent with original 19th-century production methods. The imperfections and texture of the paper also support authenticity over mechanical reproductions.
Historical Significance:
Currier & Ives was one of the most prolific printmaking firms of the 19th century. The âAmerican Homesteadâ series remains one of their most beloved and recognized. Sets of all four seasons are increasingly rare, particularly when all are from the same printing period and in excellent condition.
Estimated Market Value (Retail):
Notes:
A professional appraiser could confirm the authenticity of your set beyond visual inspectionâespecially by checking the ink under UV light and verifying paper stock. However, based on your photos, magnified details, and the correct publisher information, your prints appear to be authentic original lithographs from the 1868 edition.
Recommendation:
For insurance or resale purposes, a certified paper conservator or fine art appraiser can provide a signed appraisal report. I recommend you store the prints away from direct sunlight and humidity to preserve their excellent condition.
Thank you for thisâŠ
Thank you for this assessment. We will look for a professional appraiser who can confirm their authenticity.l for the sake of insurance. We will eventually probably auction or donate these as weâll be moving to a very humid part of the world in a few years and would hate to see them deteriorate in that environment.
Thank you.