The redoubtable print makers, N. Currier and Currier & Ives, successful New York printmakers from 1834 to 1907, had a pretty good year at auction in 2011. Of one hundred and thirty-six lots of their work offered by 24 auction houses, 105 were sold. They were once important American printmakers but long ago fell out of fashion. In the digital age they are making a comeback, aided by the proliferation of auction houses and their increasing ability to display images extensively. Their appeal is in the “seeing.” For new as well as experienced collectors visual presentation raises awareness and the Curriers and other 19th century printmakers are benefiting from the web’s ability to bring images to life. Collectors may buy them to collect as a category or simply to illustrate and illuminate other collections such as I do – of the Hudson Valley.
The Courier oeurve was extensive, some 8,000 known subjects, portraying current events, local scenes and homely homilies. To my eye they are a window on the fervor and emotions of the day, their rise mirroring the emerging working class’ desire for culture.
I mention Currier because they are illustrative of the transformation the web brings to the collecting of works on papers. Not so long ago one would have had to buy one of the many small books or even the rather expensive two-volume catalogue raisonne compiled by Gale Research to develop an overview of the Curriers. These days their work regularly appears on listing sites and in auction rooms.
As to online resources the Curriers are a deepening thread in the AED; 2,041 records currently, and we are adding another 7,500 20th century auction records this spring. In the transition within the world of printed material where some things rise and others fall the Curriers are rising.
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Sotheby's Fine Books, Manuscripts & More Available for Immediate Purchase
Sotheby’s: William Shakespeare. The Poems and Sonnets of William Shakespeare, 1960. 7,210 USD
Sotheby’s: Charles Dickens. A Christmas Carol, First Edition, 1843. 17,500 USD
Sotheby’s: William Golding. Lord of the Flies, First Edition, 1954. 5,400 USD
Sotheby's Fine Books, Manuscripts & More Available for Immediate Purchase
Sotheby’s: Lewis Carroll. Through the Looking Glass and What Alice Found There, Inscribed First Edition, 1872. 25,000 USD
Sotheby’s: J.R.R. Tolkien. The Hobbit, First Edition, 1937. 12,000 USD
Sotheby’s: John Milton. Paradise Lost, 1759. 5,400 USD
High Bids Win Rare Books, Catalogs, Magazines and Machine Manuals December 24 to January 9
High Bids Win, Dec. 24 – Jan. 9: Ellis Smith Prints unsigned. 20” by 16”.
High Bids Win, Dec. 24 – Jan. 9: United typothetae of America presidents. Pictures of 37 UTA presidents 46th annual convention United typothetae of America Cincinnati 1932.
High Bids Win, Dec. 24 – Jan. 9: Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec signed Paper Impressionism Art Prints. MayMilton 9 1/2” by 13” Reine de Joie 9 1/2” by 13”.
High Bids Win Rare Books, Catalogs, Magazines and Machine Manuals December 24 to January 9
High Bids Win, Dec. 24 – Jan. 9: Aberle’ Ballet editions. 108th triumph, American season spring and summer 1944.
High Bids Win, Dec. 24 – Jan. 9: Puss ‘n Boots. 1994 Charles Perrult All four are signed by Andreas Deja
High Bids Win, Dec. 24 – Jan. 9: Specimen book of type faces. Job composition department, Philadelphia gazette publishing company .
High Bids Win Rare Books, Catalogs, Magazines and Machine Manuals December 24 to January 9
High Bids Win, Dec. 24 – Jan. 9: An exhibit of printed books, Bridwell library.
High Bids Win, Dec. 24 – Jan. 9: A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur Court By Mark Twain 1889.
High Bids Win, Dec. 24 – Jan. 9: 1963 Philadelphia Eagles official program.
High Bids Win Rare Books, Catalogs, Magazines and Machine Manuals December 24 to January 9
High Bids Win, Dec. 24 – Jan. 9: 8 - Esquire the magazine for men 1954.
High Bids Win, Dec. 24 – Jan. 9: The American printer, July 1910.
High Bids Win, Dec. 24 – Jan. 9: Leaves of grass 1855 by Walt Whitman.
