High Pressure Steamboat Mayflower. First Class Packet between St. Louis and New Orleans on the Mississippi River. Capt. Joseph Blorne

New York: Currier & Ives, 1855. Hand-colored lithograph approx. 29" x 19½" (by sight, and not examined out of frame); a few slight traces of browning, but in all a fine example with strong coloring; attractively matted and in a curly maple frame. "Currier & Ives produced more than 200 lithographs depicting the steamboats that navigated the nation’s great rivers, such as the Hudson and the Mississippi. The boats were celebrated as examples of industrialization and the firm often documented the latest advancements in technology. Here, the paddle steamer is shown cruising gently as it travels between St. Louis and New Orleans. Its two stacks billow dark smoke and two American flags fly proudly above its upper deck. Currier & Ives employed many artists to design their prints. Charles Parsons moved to New York City from England when he was nine years old and later became the head art director for Harper’s. He produced over 30 images for Currier & Ives and specialized in marine subjects" (springfieldmuseums.org). (Inventory #: 57140)