1838-42-44 History of the Indian Tribes of North America, with Biographical Sketches and Anecdotes of the Principal Chiefs.
DESCRIPTION
History of the Indian Tribes of North America, with Biographical Sketches and Anecdotes of the Principal Chiefs. Embellished with one hundred and twenty portraits, from the Indian Gallery in the Department of War, at Washington
1st edition. mixed issue. Folio, three volumes bound to style in half red morocco over red moire cloth covered boards, gilt ruled, spines with gilt ruled raised bands in six compartments, each gilt paneled, gilt lettered in the second and fourth, gilt volume dates to base of each spine, marbled endpapers.
Thomas McKenney and James Hall's "Indian Tribes of North America," initially published in installments from 1836 to 1844, stands as a pinnacle among North American Indian color plate books, marking the grandest publication of its kind in America up to that time. Recognized as "the most ambitious work produced in America prior to those of the Audubons" (Reese), this monumental endeavor emerged from the collaboration between McKenney, a former Superintendent of Indian Trade deeply invested in the preservation of Western tribes, and James Hall, a banker turned writer with a penchant for Western narratives.
McKenney's tenure as Superintendent of Indian Trade from 1816 to 1822 fueled his concern for the fate of Western tribes, prompting him to amass a collection of Indian artifacts and a wealth of information. Elevated to the head of the US Bureau of Indian Affairs by President Monroe from 1824 to 1830, McKenney's path crossed with artist Charles Bird King in 1822, sparking the idea to capture images of visiting Indian delegates. This collaboration led to numerous journeys West to oversee treaties, fostering a collection of 117 portraits primarily based on King's paintings.
The portraits, commissioned by McKenney on behalf of the War Department, garnered significant attention and requests for inclusion from various tribes, enhancing treaty negotiations. However, the tragic loss of much of this collection in a fire at the Smithsonian in 1865 underscores the importance of McKenney and Hall's work as a vital record of nineteenth-century Native American figures.
Despite political shifts that saw McKenney removed from office in 1830, shortly after his idea to publish the images took shape, "Indian Tribes of North America" persisted through a complicated publication history. Partnering with Hall, McKenney navigated through financial setbacks and changes in collaborators to bring the volumes to fruition, culminating in the final release in 1844.
Of particular interest within the volumes are detailed biographies, such as that of Osceola, the Seminole warrior, and Pocahontas, accompanied by relevant imagery. Additionally, the inclusion of maps and population tables in the third volume provides valuable insights into the geographical and demographic landscape of Native American tribes during that era.
Ultimately, "Indian Tribes of North America" remains not only a remarkable artistic achievement but also a crucial historical document, preserving the legacies of indigenous peoples amidst the tumultuous backdrop of nineteenth-century America.
CONDITION
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