The Clipper Yacht "America" – Built by Mr. George Steers of New York for John C. Stevens, Esq. and Associates of the New York Yacht Club
A syndicate of New York Yacht Club members, headed by its charter member Commodore John Cox Stevens, decided to build a yacht to sail to England. Their purpose was twofold: to show off U.S. shipbuilding skill and to make money by competing in yachting regattas. On August 22, 1851, their clipper yacht "America" was the first American ship to beat the international competition in the Royal Yacht Squadron's 53-mile (85 km) regatta around the Isle of Wight. Figuring that a picture of this ship would be popular with New York's yacht club members and other American fans, Nathaniel Currier maximized the opportunity to publicize this victorious occasion by making several lithographs of this suddenly famous clipper yacht, which was subsequently sold ten days after the memorable race. The Squadron's "One Hundred Sovereign Cup" or "£100 Cup" was later renamed the "America's Cup" in honor of the original winning yacht featured in this lithograph.
Nathaniel Currier, whose successful New York-based lithography firm began in 1835, produced thousands of hand-colored prints in various sizes that together create a vivid panorama of mid-to-late nineteenth century American life and its history. People eagerly acquired lithographs featuring picturesque scenery, rural and city views, ships, railroads, portraits, hunting and fishing scenes, domestic life and numerous other subjects, as an inexpensive way to decorate their homes or business establishments. As the firm expanded, Nathaniel included his younger brother Charles in the business. In 1857, James Merritt Ives (the firm's accountant since 1852 and Charles's brother-in-law) was made a business partner; subsequently renamed Currier & Ives, the firm continued until 1907. Frances Flora (Fanny) Palmer was one of the most important artists working for Nathaniel Currier, and later Currier and Ives, between 1849 and 1868, when she produced approximately 200 of the firm's best landscapes and most engaging scenes of daily life.
Nathaniel Currier, whose successful New York-based lithography firm began in 1835, produced thousands of hand-colored prints in various sizes that together create a vivid panorama of mid-to-late nineteenth century American life and its history. People eagerly acquired lithographs featuring picturesque scenery, rural and city views, ships, railroads, portraits, hunting and fishing scenes, domestic life and numerous other subjects, as an inexpensive way to decorate their homes or business establishments. As the firm expanded, Nathaniel included his younger brother Charles in the business. In 1857, James Merritt Ives (the firm's accountant since 1852 and Charles's brother-in-law) was made a business partner; subsequently renamed Currier & Ives, the firm continued until 1907. Frances Flora (Fanny) Palmer was one of the most important artists working for Nathaniel Currier, and later Currier and Ives, between 1849 and 1868, when she produced approximately 200 of the firm's best landscapes and most engaging scenes of daily life.
Artwork Details
- Title: The Clipper Yacht "America" – Built by Mr. George Steers of New York for John C. Stevens, Esq. and Associates of the New York Yacht Club
- Artist: Frances Flora Bond Palmer (American (born England), Leicester 1812–1876 New York)
- Publisher: Lithographed and published by Nathaniel Currier (American, Roxbury, Massachusetts 1813–1888 New York)
- Date: ca. 1851–52
- Medium: Hand-colored lithograph
- Dimensions: Image: 12 in. × 17 7/8 in. (30.5 × 45.4 cm)
Image with text: 13 1/8 × 17 7/8 in. (33.3 × 45.4 cm)
Sheet: 18 7/8 in. × 24 in. (48 × 61 cm) - Classification: Prints
- Credit Line: Gift of A. S. Colgate, 1951
- Object Number: 51.567.95
- Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints
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Multiple artists/makers
1866
Frances Flora Bond Palmer
Nathaniel Currier
1849–56
Frances Flora Bond Palmer
Nathaniel Currier
1849–56
Frances Flora Bond Palmer
Nathaniel Currier
1849
Frances Flora Bond Palmer
Nathaniel Currier
1849–56
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