Lithographs and Prints

The Seaport Museum houses an outstanding collection of over 2,500 lithographs and prints. These prints primarily depict New York City scenes, New York Harbor landscapes, the American Civil War, portraits of celebrated clipper ships and ocean liners, as well as items related to popular culture, covering topics such as P. T. Barnum’s American Museum, political cartoons, and recreational activities such as theater, opera, and sports of the time.

The primary focus of our prints collection is American popular lithographs produced in the mid- to -late- 19th century by New York City firms such as Currier & Ives and Endicott & Co., however the Museum’s holdings also include a growing number of 20th century works on paper. Notable artists include Frances Palmer (1875–1962) and John A. Noble (1913–1983).