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In 1988 a new, more democratic process of selecting the "Best 50" was sponsored by the American Historical Print Collectors Society (AHPCS). "The Best 50 - Revisited" was begun by a panel of experts who selected the "Top 100" of both large and small folio prints. These prints were then presented in a ballot to the entire membership of the AHPCS, which then selected the "New Best 50" large and small folio prints. A handsome book, Currier & Ives. The New Best 50 (available from our bookstore) was published in 1990 with all the new "best" prints illustrated in color and with an analysis of the differences between the original and new lists. Listings of the Original Best 50, Top 100, and New Best 50 are included as appendixes in this guide.
The prints from all four lists are very collectible and usually command a premium price. They are all wonderful prints, generally considered to be the best of the Currier & Ives oeuvre. While among the over 7,500 original Currier & Ives prints there are many others that are just as wonderful, there is always an added value in acquiring one of these "Best 50" prints.


George H. Durrie. "Winter in the Country. A Cold Morning." New York: Currier & Ives, 1864. 18 3/4 x 27 1/8. Lithograph. Original hand color. Two inch by one quarter inch vertical fill in bottom margin just touching image. Small portion of upper left hand corner replaced. Two and one half inch repaired tear from right hand margin just into image with a one inch repaired tear in the left hand margin not touching image. Print has been expertly conserved. Else, very good condition. C:6736. New Best 50: #32. $6,800
A.F. Tait. "The Cares Of A Family." N Currier, 1856. Large folio. 18 5/8 x 23 7/8. Another example, with two repaired tears, each ca. 1" into image; expertly repaired. Some light mottling to good margins, and surface abrasion in title area. Otherwise, very good condition and overall, attractive appearance. C:814. Original Best 50 #44. $3,800


"Midnight Race On The Mississippi." Currier & Ives, 1875. Small folio. 9 x 13 1/4. C:4117. New Best 50: #9. $1,800


"Through to the Pacific." Currier & Ives, 1870. Small folio. 7 7/8 x 12 3/8. Wide margins: 1 1/2 tear in top margin, small repaired hole in bottom margin and minor other blemishes. Overall very good appearance and condition. C:6051. New Best 50: #15. Denver. $2,100

"A Home On The Mississippi." Currier & Ives, 1871. Small folio. 8 1/2 x 12 1/2. C:2876. Rubbed spot on publisher imprint at left and a few short repaired tears in margins. New Best 50: #25. Appears on the label of Southern Comfort. $1,100

"The Whale Fishery 'Laying On.'" N. Currier, 1852. Small folio. 8 1/2 x 12 3/4. C:6626. Original Best 50: #17; New Best 50: #28. $2,200

"Bass Fishing." Currier & Ives, 1857-72. Small folio. 8 x 12 1/2. Repaired tear in margin; just touching neat line. C:376. New Best 50: #37. $1,450

"The Great West." Currier & Ives, 1870. Small folio. 7 7/8 x 12 3/8. C:2658. New Best 50: #38. One of the classic images of the American west. $2,100




"American Homestead Spring." Currier & Ives, 1869. Small folio. 7 7/8 x 12 3/8. Light stain in title area. C:170. New Best 50: #45. $875

"American Homestead Summer." Currier & Ives, 1868. Small folio. 7 7/8 x 12 3/8. Old break/crease in sky. C:171. New Best 50: #39. $750

"American Homestead Winter." Currier & Ives, 1868. Small folio. 8 x 12 1/2. In period frame. C:172. Original Best 50: #23; New Best 50: #5. $1,700



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©The Philadelphia Print Shop, Ltd., April 16, 2013