McKenney, Thomas L. and James Hall

History of the Indian Tribes of North America. Philadelphia: D. Rice & Co., [after January 1865]



Folio (20 x 13 1/2 in.; 508 x 343 mm). 118 (of 119) hand-colored lithographed plates, 3 additional plates by George Catlin ("The Ballplayers," Wi-Jun-jon," and "The Killing of the Buffalo") printed on card and mounted on larger stock; lacking the map, plate of Billy Bowlegs, and text volumes, marginal foxing on plate of Red Jacket, light text offsetting affecting about 7 plates, a few minor spots and stains, repair to short tear on index leaf, 2 tissue guards torn, 1 guard creased, the Catlin plates toned and stained. Full red morocco janséniste by Sangorski & Sutcliffe; some apparent water damage to lower dentelle. Folding red cloth case.

H. H. Baxter Memorial Library, Rutland, Vermont (gilt supralibros)

An unusual issue, with the title-page referring to the fire of January 1865 at the Smithsonian Institute which destroyed the portaits of Indian leaders painted from life by Charles Bird King or copied (and improved) by him from portraits by James O. Lewis. Reissuing the work was undoubtedly a clever marketing ploy, as the sole record now of the portraits was by means of the plates.  Forty of the plates are signed by Greenough and dated 1836 and 1838. There are also 28 plates by Rice and Clark dated 1842–43, three by Biddle dated 1836–37, and three by J. T. Bowen 1841–42.  The plates are remarkably clean and brilliantly colored.