Trolling for Blue Fish

Period1866

MediumChromolithograph on paper

Dimensions20.5 × 28.75 in. (52.1 × 73 cm)

InscribedInscribed in lower center margin, "Entered according to an Act of Congress A. D. 1866, by Currier & Ives, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, for the Southern District of New York." Also inscribed in large letters in the lower center margin, "TROLLING FOR BLUE FISH."

SignedSigned in lower left margin, "F. F. PALMER, DEL." and in lower right margin, "CURRIER & IVES LITHO. N. Y."

ClassificationsPrints

Credit LineMuseum Collection

Object number1984.513

DescriptionFour men in a catboat, all wearing hats and jackets, occupy the center of the scene. The first and fourth of them (from left to right) are each hauling in a large blue fish. Another catboat containing four men appears in the left distance, and two other sailing vessels in the right distance. The Highlands of Navesink can be seen in the far distance, with the distinctive Twin Lights towers on the summit of one hill left of center. The sea is choppy, with a partly cloudy sky.
Curatorial RemarksTrolling for Blue Fish has always been considered one of the most popular prints by Currier and Ives of New York. It ranked number 10 in the original Best Fifty checklist, and number 17 in the New Best Fifty rankings.NotesThe artist who signed the print is Frances "Fanny" Flora Palmer (1812 - 1876), who frequently provided sketches used in Currier & Ives prints. The site was identified in 1929 as off Staten Island, but in fact the view is off the south shore of Long Island looking southwest toward the Highlands of Navesink. Palmer took credit for the work. However, a later recollection records that Thomas Worth drew in from memory the central catboat owned by Captain Hank Haff, and that Palmer provided the background artwork. Worth used to sail frequently with Haff.

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