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Currier & Ives Early American Firefighter Print Fireman Fire Engine Equipment Always Ready

Product Description

The2funadguyz offer a new print based on an incredible Early American Currier and Ives firefighter lithograph from the 1800s.

This is one of four prints in a series called The American Fireman. Always Ready is the title of this one that would make a great gift for a firefighter. A uniformed fireman pulls a horse drawn fire wagon from the doors of the firehouse. This print reminds us that before the call could be answered the fire wagon had to be hitched to horses that were stabled nearby. All of this had to be done within a few minutes and usually on a moments notice.

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: In the 1800s, fire was always a major danger in both large cities and small villages. A fire in a single wood building could spread and destroy a block or an entire section of a city or town, as happened in the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. The local firefighters and fire departments were all that stood against an unmitigated disaster that could destroy lives and property. As a result, then, as now, men sought membership in a fire department, whose firehouses frequently became the hub of the fireman’s lives. Some even had saloons, libraries and furnishings to rival the best of homes. These fire departments provided an early social network

DESCRIPTION: This is a classic, Early American style that Currier & Ives helped to foster and create with rich detail and bold colors. A bearded firefighter pulls a horse-drawn fire wagon from the firehouse. In all of the American Fireman series, a single fireman is featured; probably to emphasize the individual effort required to fight fires. Outside of the frame of this portrait there are other firefighters rushing to do jobs, but for this moment all of the focus is on what this single fireman is doing.

CAPTION: The American Fireman – Always Ready.

ORIGINAL DATE OF CREATION: The stone lithograph on which this print is based was originally done in 1858.

ARTIST: Louis Maurer (1832—1932) is credited with the artwork for the original stone lithograph on which this print is based. His signature is printed at the lower left.

CURRIER & IVES: While most Americans have heard of Currier & Ives, most do not know that both of them were members of their local fire department. Nat Currier and Jim Ives printed the original lithograph on which this new print is based. From their business on Spruce Street in Brooklyn, New York, Currier and Ives printed over 1 million prints covering over 7500 different titles from 1834 to 1907. Their work chronicles an era in America before the printing press could produce colored prints and stone lithography were the only method for doing color prints in quantity. Though their lithographs are in high demand today, they once described their business as Publishers of Cheap and Popular Pictures.

PAPER QUALITY: This new print is on a highest quality, acid-free, 100-pound glossy premium text paper that allows for maximum color brilliance and fidelity for older images.

AVAILABILITY: In Stock! – Usually Ships Within 2 Business Days.

Image Size: 10.5 inches wide by 16.5 inches high.

Paper Size: 11 inches wide by 17 inches high. This allows for a small border around the image for matting and framing. When matted, this format is perfect for a standard 16-inch x 20-inch frame, a manageable size for a wide variety of decorating purposes.

DECORATING USES: Because of its antique, Early American style, many of our customers find this poster useful for a home den, recreation or family room. Of course it would look grand on the walls of any firehouse, anywhere in the world.

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PLEASE NOTE, The watermark (The2FunAdGuyz) across the thumbnail does NOT appear on the item you will receive.

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