Old Credit "Played Out"

This political cartoon addresses the economic situation after the American Civil War (1860–1865), namely the United States's dependence on credit rather than cash, thereby drastically increasing its national debt. The print depicts a weary, broken-down horse in a side view (its head is at the left of the image): its eyes are closed, its joints are swollen, its tail has been shortened. On its side are the words: "NO TIME HERE." The title and two columns (each with two lines) are printed in the bottom margin. This image also appears with an alternate title, "Played Out," but this version of the print appears without the additional columns of text at the bottom.

Nathaniel Currier, whose successful New York-based lithography firm began in 1835, produced thousands of 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.