Landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth, 11th Dec. 1620

This historical winter scene pictures the Pilgrims landing on the snow-covered shores of what is now Plymouth, Massachusetts (USA). A tall-masted ship (the Mayflower) is anchored in the water (near right background). At left, beside a large evergreen tree, a Native American man (wearing a feather headdress) crawls up a boulder to observe the small group of white European men -- some seated and some standing around a campfire heating a large black pot (center/left of center), while three others approach. In the right foreground, a man holding an ax in his right hand and his arm around a bundle of sticks and branches bends over beside a leafless shrub; his turned head indicates he has noticed the Native American. At right, a large leafless tree frames the scene. In the right middleground, a rowboat filled with men lands; while others stand on the shore nearby. The title iis imprinted in the bottom margin.

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 such 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.