ROMANCE IN TOCQUEVILLE'S AMERICA From 1834 through the turn of the century, Nathaniel Currier, joined later by James Merrit Ives, presented delightful images depicting every conceivable aspect of American life. Based in New York City, the "Printmakers to the American People" produced colorful glimpses of countless topics—from city bustle to rural serenity to oceanic voyages; portraits of soldiers and politicians and firemen; river boats, railroads, and sailing ships; Christmas charm and Civil War carnage; picnics and sleigh rides and baseball games; suspension bridges and country pathways; and the list goes on. Regardless of subject, the presentation was visually naive and emotionally plateaued. Currier and Ives deftly fabricated the utopian America almost every person wanted—even the most tragic of human experiences were comfortably portrayed. Smaller prints sold for just pennies; today, collectors pay much more. The collection of lithographs shown following trace the delicate steps in the romantic waltz of the early 1800s when handsome sons, who were gentlemanly suitors, courted and married beautiful daughters, who were models of Victorian innocence. Of course, the invariable result was household bliss, including a handful of darling children of both genders.