19th Century Printmaking

Nathaniel Currier (1813-1888) of Roxbury Mass teamed up with James Ives (1824-1895) of New York City to create inexpensive hand-painted lithographs of Americana cultural (usually rural) scenes.  Originally, their company was known as "The Grand Central Depot for Cheap and Popular Prints." That mouthful was changed in 1857 to just "Currier and Ives."  Perhaps you've heard of them. That famous lithograph company made their popular art for ordinary folks from 1835 to 1907.  It is reliably estimated that these dedicated artists and businessmen created 7,500 original lithographs in the 72 years that the company was in business. In addition, their company produced one million plus hand-colored prints too. That amounted to about two to three new creations per week!

Retro Jeff of Illinois sent me the following Currier and Ives Lithographs of rural scenes depicting hard-working men who typically wore long red flannel underwear under their clothes that could be seen with shirt sleeves rolled up!  Some examples:

More Dudes (Union) Suited Up for the Cold Weather!

LoneStar Mike looking for that ice storm hitting other parts of the USA: 

And Retro Jeff tells us he's beating the cold with his email and photo....."Today in the Mid West icebox beating the cold. Underneath my ancient, faded Carhartt, I'm wearing a vintage West brand waffle weave union suit and keeping toasty warm. We're socked in with the cold but the snow is supposed to all go south of Northern Illinois!"  

Here's East Coast Coach who never fails to double up by wearing two union suits to beat the cold this time of year!  

Some winter locations have little or no snow but still

great to warm up in a comfortable union suit - Thanks, Clem

Buckeye's winterwear underwear ensemble 

includes a scarf to keep his neck warm! 

So Union Suit Fan, what are you wearing, long underwear wise, 

to keep ahead of the cold weather most of us are experiencing this week?!  

 

Happy New Year Union Suit Fans!

(Union) Suited for the Gym: It's time now to exercise off some of that holiday cheer gained over the past month!

 

Sporting a Navy Blue Union Suit

under Black Gym shorts and T-Shirt.

Then Heading off to the Gym.

Whad You Get For Christmas?

Union Suits were left under their trees this year! 

Thanks Santa Claus for the Long Underwear!

Just For Laughs😊:

Anticipating Christmas 

"Chris:  I've worn union suits since I was a little boy. All my life actually. I don't ever even remember wearing standard pj's. To this day, I've always slept in just my underwear. Growing up in rural Wyoming, underwear is what me and my dad and most boys and men wore and continue to wear to bed since forever. 

Anyway, I very recently ran across a video taken by my dad years ago using his now ancient movie camera. He caught me initially unable to sleep on Christmas Eve. Here I am wearing a union suit as pajamas, sitting up in bed, and anxiously listening for a visit from Santa Claus. I thought I'd share with you these special pictures (to me anyway) which I was able to save as separate photos from my dad's film.

...Merry Christmas, Ian Sanderson of Cody, Wyoming." 

                               

"Hearing a noise outside and with heart pumping, I jumped out of bed, threw off my blankets, and ran to my bedroom window:

 

"And looking outside, I listened for sleigh bells and Santa's approach to my house! 

Yep, that's me as a boy in my long union suit underwear! 

"Seeing nothing, I returned to my covers, finally falling asleep,

 "nestled all snug in my bed while visions of sugar plums danced in my head."

 

"Good night and Merry Christmas!"

Ian sent his heart-warming memory, captured on camera, to me in an email this week. With the approach of Christmas, I thought it appropriately worthy to share with you that which for many of us, is a most meaningful holiday, celebrating the birth of our saviour, Jesus.  

Friends, I'm taking a couple of weeks away. In the meantime, email me your Christmas photos and I'll see you right back here at the end of December.

"God Bless Us All, Everyone! ...Chris Ayers