Black Hawk

Black Hawk horse subject

Item:
Framed color lithograph featuring the famed Morgan trotting horse Black Hawk, pulling a carriage with a gentleman driver in top hat and a dog running alongside.

Medium:
Hand-colored lithograph on paper

Size (image only):
12.25" × 16.75"

Presentation:
Matted and framed under glass in a wooden frame

Historical Background

The image style, composition, and subject matter are highly characteristic of Currier and Ives, a prolific American printmaking firm active from 1834 to 1907. They produced mass-market lithographs that became iconic representations of American life and culture in the 19th century.

Black Hawk (1833–1856) was a legendary Morgan horse and one of the most famous trotters of his time. He became a household name and was frequently depicted in prints, often pulling stylish carriages or sulkies. Currier and Ives produced several prints featuring Black Hawk or horses in a similar dramatic trotting pose.

The absence of a visible printed title or artist signature in this particular lithograph could suggest one of the following:

• It may be an early or trimmed edition where the border or title was cropped during framing.
• It could be a privately commissioned lithograph in the style of Currier and Ives, possibly by a lesser-known lithographer of the period.
• Or it could be a later reprint, though you mention the image does not display dot matrix patterns, which typically appear in 20th-century photomechanical reproductions.

Distinguishing Features

• Style & Technique: Strong resemblance to Currier and Ives aesthetic, particularly the clean-lined harness work, dynamically posed horse, and romantic countryside background.
• Coloration: Typical of hand-colored lithographs with delicate pastel skies and carefully applied darker pigments in the horse’s body.
• Subject Matter: Depiction of Black Hawk supports a mid-to-late 19th century dating, especially since his fame peaked in the 1850s–1870s.

Condition

• Excellent overall.
• Appears well preserved behind glass with no visible foxing, water damage, or fading.
• Matting and frame look appropriate for display and protective purposes.

Estimated Market Value

If this is:

1. An original Currier and Ives lithograph (untrimmed with full margins):
   $500–$1,500 USD, depending on condition, provenance, and whether it's part of a known catalogued print.
2. A later 19th-century period lithograph in the Currier & Ives style (but not from their firm):
   $200–$500 USD
3. A high-quality early 20th-century reproduction (non-dot matrix, still with collector interest):
   $75–$200 USD

The lack of title and visible publisher makes a firm attribution difficult without an in-person evaluation.

Recommendation

To confirm whether this is a genuine Currier and Ives original or a later period piece, I recommend seeking a professional appraisal from one of the following sources:

• Swann Auction Galleries (New York) – specialists in Currier & Ives
• The American Historical Print Collectors Society (AHPCS.org)
• Heritage Auctions or Skinner Auctioneers

They can offer definitive cataloging and provide certification if it's an original or rare variant.