Neptune House, New Rochelle, West Chester County, New York

This scenic print served as an advertisement for Neptune House, a popular resort hotel built in 1837, which is prominently featured as the large white multistory building rising above rows of trees in the background. Until 1885, it was sited on a wooded island that was part of the City of New Rochelle, New York, on Long Island Sound -- about eighteen miles north of New York City. As the print's inscription declares: "In point of salubrity and picturesque scenery it is not surpassed by any in America. The accommodations are of the most excellent description; warm and cold, salt and fresh water baths ready at all times; and nothing is spared to promote the amusement and comfort of the inmates. Pleasure and fishing boats for aquatic excursions, and vehicles and horses for driving or riding provided at a moment's notice." Indeed, the print depicts various recreational activities: guests are enjoying fishing, boating, riding horses, and strolling on the island. Approaching the boat landing is the American Eagle steamboat, a convenient daily transport service to and from New York City (as the imprinted inscription beneath the image also emphasizes). Near the boat landing is a smaller building, C.F. Rice's store (far right background); the print's imprinted inscription is signed and dated "July 1st 1842 C.F. Rice" thereby indicating that Mr. Rice commissioned this print to promote his own establishment to prospective Neptune House visitors. .

Nathaniel Currier, who established the successful New York-based lithography firm 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. As the firm expanded, Nathaniel took on James Merritt Ives as a partner in 1857; Currier & Ives was the leading American printer and publisher of lithographs until 1907. People eagerly acquired the firm's lithographs, such as those featuring picturesque scenery, rural and city views, ships, railroads, portraits, hunting and fishing scenes, domestic life and numerous other popular subjects, as an inexpensive way to decorate their homes or business establishments.