Twin Peaks Prop – Currier and Ives at the Double R Diner

I love finding new things to share. This one happened by accident as I was desperately searching for something completely unrelated when I stumbled upon three Currier and Ives prints found at the Double R Diner in the show’s first two seasons. These three pieces join other previously identified artwork including Norman Yeckley’s “Spring Formal” and Jon Atwood’s “Seafoam.”

A HAPPY ACCIDENT WHILE SEARCHING FOR SOMETHING

David Lynch has called these moments “happy accidents.” I was doing a deep dive trying to find the actual album behind the handwritten notes for Big Tube Squeezer – “I Have a Thing for Love” in the Double R Diner jukebox. The band and album name is actually a thing but the artwork of the gentleman with his hand in his pocket doesn’t match. I haven’t found it but I know it’s out there.

During my search, I turned to the incomparable The Mauve Zone, which has an extensive gallery of photos from my favorite television show. In one photo, we see Everett McGill dressed as Big Ed Hurley at the Double R Diner. I was hoping to find one of the jukebox which may reveal additional clues about the Big Tube Squeezer album.

On a whim, I zoomed in and could finally read the description on the print behind him. Once I had that, I quickly discovered it was an image by Currier and Ives from the 1800s.

HISTORY OF CURRIER AND IVES

When I hear the name “Currier and Ives” I immediate want to start singing the holiday tune, “Sleigh Ride.” There was a time when artwork from this New York City-based American printmaking firm could be found everywhere. Founded in 1834 by Nathaniel Currier, he was later joined by James Merritt Ives. They produced more than 1 Million lithographs with more than 7,500 different titles until 1907.

These images appeared in several travel calendars throughout the mid-20th Century and evoke a true sense of nostalgia. Set decorators not only used these images at the Double R Diner during the first two seasons, but some could also be seen in Season 3 (more on the latter at another time).

THE HOME OF THE DEER IMAGE AT THE DOUBLE R DINER

The first lithograph is “The Home of the Deer / Morning in the Adirondacks” which was created in 1862 by painter Arthur Fitzwilliam and draftsman Charles Parsons.

Aside from publicity photos, the first we see this image is in episode 1.002 when Big Ed visits Norma Jennings.

It’s found in the background of other iconic scenes such as Audrey Horne dancing to some dreamy music in episode 1.002.

Or Major Briggs saluting Hank Jennings after enjoying pie in episode 2.001.

It even has a cameo behind Vivian and Ernie Niles when they visit Norma in episode 2.008.

The image, which appears to be mounted on some kind of wood backing, suddenly moves with the arrival of Annie Blackburn in episode 2.017. This is the only one image out of the three that floats from one side of the door to the other.

The document with an American flag (assuming a proclamation of sorts) switched places in that episode.

The image will remain in that opposite spot from episodes 2.017 through 2.021.

For the final episode of the second season, the image returns to its original location.

AUTUMN IN NEW ENGLAND IMAGE AT THE DOUBLE R DINER

The second print is found above the jukebox in the Double R Diner. Titled “Autumn in New England – Cider Making,” this hand-colored lithograph was created by George Durrie in 1866. According to The Old Print shop (which has the original available for $12,000), this was one of the only non-winter scenes created by Durrie for Currier and Ives.

It’s seen when both Audrey Horne and Hank Jennings make jukebox selections in episodes 1.002 and 1.005 respectively.

The image is also found when Donna catches James and Maddy sharing a hand-holding moment in episode 2.003.

We also see it when Hank and Ernie return from their “hunting trip” in episode 2.011.

Finally, we see it in episode 2.016 when Big Ed boldly enters the diner to profess his love for Norma.

CURRIER AND IVES BOTH IMAGES

Because of their placement near the front door, these two prints are most often seen together in shots.

In Season 1, we see them in the background when Audrey Horne, Agent Cooper and Shelly and Norma enter the diner.

They are also found in Season 2 when District Attorney Lodwick arrives in episode 2.004.

Or when James Hurley leaves the diner chasing after Maddy in episode 2.005.

And when Big Ed and Nadine visit the diner in episode 2.007.

They are in the background of episode 2.010 when Vivian confesses to her secret job as a food critic.

When Gordon Cole and Dale Cooper give a dual thumbs-up, the two images are seen closer together in the background.

Again, they will remain closer between episodes 2.017 and 2.021.

Wide angle shots in episode 2.019 show the two image placed above the jukebox.

WINTER IN THE COUNTRY IMAGE AT THE DOUBLE R DINER

The final image is “Winter in the Country – The Old Grist Mill” which was also created by George Durrie in 1864. The Old Print Shop also has the original hand colored, two-color lithograph available for $17,500.

This is the first Currier and Ives lithograph we see on the Double R Diner set. It appears in the background when Sheriff Truman introduces Cooper to Norma. Notice how the other paintings above the booths are missing in this shot.

We see it behind Audrey Horne’s only scene at the Double R Diner in Twin Peaks. Seriously, she never returns to the diner beyond episode 1.002.

It also hangs above the booth where Big Ed, Sheriff Truman and Deputy Hawk wait for Cooper’s arrival in episode 1.003.

It appears two more times in episodes 1.004 and 1.005.

An out-of-focus image is seen behind the “hot damn” guy in episode 2.001.

The image hangs in the distance when the Log Lady tells Major Briggs to deliver the message in episode 2.002.

You can see it behind the fake M.T. Wentz (DA Lodwick) in episode 2.004 and the actual Wentz (Vivian Niles) in episode 2.008.

It’s there when Andy is a lonely soul enjoying pie at the Double R in episode 2.009.

Before Andy falls down and goes “funny boom boom,” you can see the image on the far left side of the screen in episode 2.011.

In episode 2.012, Agent Denise Bryson visits Ernie Niles at the Double R. The lithograph is in the same spot.

We see it a handful of more times in Season 2 including episode 2.013 with Nadine and Mike.

Multiple chess matches in episode 2.015.

And Annie passing Major Briggs in episode 2.017.

The final time we see this particular print is in episode 2.022, which is also the last one of the second season. It’s funny how this is the first and last lithograph we’ll see at the Double R Diner in the original broadcast run.