Currier and Ives was a printmaking company based in New York City from 1834-1907, producing black and white lithographs that were hand colored. The focus of their work was American life, cities, and people, and they often employed celebrated artists of the day to render drawings to be reproduced in print form. The company's panoramic view of the Brooklyn Bridge shows nearby buildings and various types of ships moving through the East River. Hundreds of pedestrians appear crossing the bridge. Beneath the view is a description of the bridge, detailing its projected dimensions, features, and cost ("about $8,000,000"). At the time of this view's publication, construction on the bridge was still ongoing; it would not be completed for another 11 years, in 1883. Designed by German-born civil engineer John A. Roebling, the Brooklyn Bridge was considered a technological marvel at the time, and it captivated the public's imagination from the time its planning began. Demand for prints of the bridge was high, which led Currier and Ives to produce a number of views depicting the structure, with this being the first.

References: Reps (Views) #2710.

Condition: B+

On a toned sheet with minor scattered foxing, primarily in the blank margins.