[Wyoming]. Hyer, Joseph K. & William S. Starring. Dictionary of the Sioux Language. [Fort Laramie, 1866]

[WYOMING]

JOSEPH KEYES HYER AND WILLIAM SYLVANUS STARRING. LACOTAH [WRAPPER-TITLE]. DICTIONARY OF THE SIOUX LANGUAGE [CAPTION-TITLE]. [FORT LARAMIE, DAKOTA TERRITORY (PRESENT-DAY WYOMING), 1866]

8vo (7 3/4 x 5 3/8 in.; 197 x 137 mm). Original printed self-wrappers, original broad brass clasps made by a local sutler; some light soiling and staining. Quarter red morocco slipcase and chemise.

The first book printed in Wyoming. A remarkable survival. Only about 50 copies were printed. Only 4 complete copies recorded by Stopka.

"Lahcotah" is Teton or Western Sioux dialect for "Dahcotah" (Santee Sioux dialect). The dictionary was compiled by Lieuts. Hyer and Starring "with the aid of Charles Guerreu, Indian Interpreter" (colophon). It was printed on a hand press at the army post on the North Platte River and is dated at the end "Fort Laramie, Dakota, December, 1866."

The work contains words for Indian clothing, weapons, food, local animals, etc., which are highly evocative of the Sioux and the frontier scene.

LITERATURE:

Ayer, Indian Linguistics Dakota 85; Coe pp. 87–88; Graff 2037; McMurtrie, Early Printing in Wyoming pp. 44–46; Stopka 1866; Wyoming Imprints 1

PROVENANCE:

Frank T. Siebert (acquired Eberstadt, 1940s or 1950s; sold his sale, Sotheby's New York, 28 October 1999, lot 1059)