"The Little Mamma"

To those of you to whom this applies - Happy Mother's Day! 

This Currier & Ives lithograph originally sold at 6 cent apiece wholesale, & was available uncolored. They were often used in grade schools where the young pupils colored them, hopefully staying within the lines. 

The Currier & Ives firm also employed a staff of 12 young German women as colorists. All sat @ a long table, & each would only apply 1 watercolor. When she had finished it would be passed on to the next worker bee until it was fully colored. It would then go on to a senior woman, known as the "Finisher" who would unify the whole & touch up where necessary.

RS