James Merritt Ives (March 5, 1824 – January 3, 1895) was an American lithographer, bookkeeper, and businessman.

Charles recommended Ives to Nathaniel, who hired him as a bookkeeper in 1852 for his firm, N. Currier, Lithographer.

[4] In his new position Ives helped Currier interview potential artists and craftsman, and select images that the firm would publish.

[3] It was Ives who encouraged production of the idealized images of daily middle class American life that made the firm so successful.

[5] The firm of Currier and Ives was known for its popular and affordable art prints of subjects such as winter scenes, landscapes, sporting events, ships, and icons of 19th century life.