- 181
McKenney, Thomas Loraine, and James Hall
Estimate
60,000 - 80,000 USD
bidding is closed
Description
- A History of the Indian Tribes of North America
- paper
History of the Indian Tribes of North America. Philadelphia: Frederick W. Greenough, 1838 [Vol. I], Daniel Rice and James G. Clark, 1842 & 1844 [Vols. II & III]
3 volumes, folio (20 x 14 1/4 in.; 508 x 362 mm). 120 hand-colored lithographed plates after C.B. King (the frontispieces after Rindelbacher), leaf of lithographed maps and table, 17 pages of facsimile signatures of subscribers, leaf of statements on the genuineness of the portrait of Pocahontas, printed errata slip tipped in to vol. 2, page 58; some variously severe but usually light foxing. Contemporary three-quarter blind-tooled morocco, gilt-ruled over marbled boards; old rebacking now worn and upper hinge vol. 1 broken.
3 volumes, folio (20 x 14 1/4 in.; 508 x 362 mm). 120 hand-colored lithographed plates after C.B. King (the frontispieces after Rindelbacher), leaf of lithographed maps and table, 17 pages of facsimile signatures of subscribers, leaf of statements on the genuineness of the portrait of Pocahontas, printed errata slip tipped in to vol. 2, page 58; some variously severe but usually light foxing. Contemporary three-quarter blind-tooled morocco, gilt-ruled over marbled boards; old rebacking now worn and upper hinge vol. 1 broken.
Literature
Bennet 79; Field 992; Howes M129; Lipperheide Mc4; Reese, American Color Plate Books 24; Sabin 43410a
Condition
some variously severe but usually light foxing. Contemporary three-quarter blind-tooled morocco, gilt-ruled over marbled boards; old rebacking now worn and upper hinge vol. 1 broken.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.
Catalogue Note
First edition. McKenney and Hall's Indian Tribes has long been renowned for its faithful portraits of native Americans. These portrait plates are based on oils by the government artist Charles Bird King, who was employed by the War Department to paint the portraits of Indian delegates visiting Washington, D.C., for the Department's Indian Gallery. Most of King's original paintings were subsequently destroyed in a fire at the Smithsonian, and their appearance in McKenney and Hall's magnificent work is thus our only record of the likenesses of many of the most prominent Indian leaders of the nineteenth century.
McKenney was the first director of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and he provided the biographies, many based on personal interviews, that accompany the portraits. Hall, an Illinois lawyer and journalist, wrote the long general essay on the history of the North American Indian. The authors saw their book as a way of preserving an accurate visual record of a rapidly disappearing culture. The first edition appeared haltingly, with four publishers, three lithographic firms, and more than a decade required to bring it to completion. The plates bear, in most cases, the imprint of Greenough, with 8 having the Biddle imprint, 7 the Bowen imprint, and 29 the Rice & Clark.
McKenney was the first director of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and he provided the biographies, many based on personal interviews, that accompany the portraits. Hall, an Illinois lawyer and journalist, wrote the long general essay on the history of the North American Indian. The authors saw their book as a way of preserving an accurate visual record of a rapidly disappearing culture. The first edition appeared haltingly, with four publishers, three lithographic firms, and more than a decade required to bring it to completion. The plates bear, in most cases, the imprint of Greenough, with 8 having the Biddle imprint, 7 the Bowen imprint, and 29 the Rice & Clark.