Catlin, George

FIRST EDITION, FIRST ISSUE, folio (584 x 400mm.), 20pp., 25 hand-coloured lithographed plates after Catlin by Catlin and McGahey, the plates with imprints, and numbered and captioned, contemporary half morocco, spine gilt, period-style morocco gilt label on upper cover titled 'Catlin's North American Indian Portfolio. Hunting Scenes and Amusements', gilt edges, joints repaired, later endpapers

Abbey, Travel 653 (deluxe edition); Field 258; Sabin 11532; Schwerdt I, p.100; Tooley (1954) 134; Wagner-Camp 105a:1

the condition of this lot is as described in the catalogue description
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

A RARE HAND-COLOURED COPY OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL COLOUR-PLATE BOOK ON THE INDIAN TRIBES OF NORTH AMERICA. This is one of the few copies with the plates on full sheets of paper, unmounted, and published by Catlin himself. "These beautiful scenes in Indian life are probably the most truthful ever presented to the public" (Field) and are the result of Catlin's eight years of field research and painting among forty-eight tribes of Native Americans. In a famous passage from the preface, Catlin describes how the sight of several Indian chiefs in Philadelphia led to his resolution to record their vanishing way of life: "The history and customs of such a people, preserved by pictorial illustrations, are themes worthy the lifetime of one man, and nothing short of the loss of my life shall prevent me from visiting their country and becoming their historian." The publication of this work exceeded Catlin's financial means, and future editions were published by Henry Bohn.