Empire State, Great Lakes steamboat 1856

This chromolithograph print by Currier and Ives, *Empire State, Great Lakes steamboat* (1856), depicts a side profile of the steamboat *Empire State*, with its paddlewheel in full view. It was a common practice for artists of the time to create and sell prints of newly built ships and steamboats, which served as a record of maritime technology and engineering. The image includes detailed information about the ship's specifications, highlighting its impressive size and capacity. This print was intended for a general audience, capturing the popular fascination with the advancements of the era.