Beschreibung:

Title: History of the Indian Tribes of North America, with Biographical Sketches and Anecdotes of the Principal Chiefs. Embellished with One Hundred Portraits, from the Indian Gallery in the Department of War, at Washington Author: McKenney, Thomas L. & James Hall Place: Philadelphia Publisher: Rice, Rutter & Co. Date: 1870, 1855, 1870 Description: 3 vols. [2], iv, 333; iv, [3]-305, (v)-xvii; iv, 17-392 pp. Illustrated with 121 lithographed plates, most hand-colored, a few printed in color. (Large 8vo) 10½x6¾, period brown half morocco, marbled boards, spine lettered in gilt, all edges gilt. Magnificent series of hand-colored portraits of the Indians of North America. Reprinted from the 1836-38-44 folio edition, which was described by Field as "one of the most costly and important ever published on the American Indians. The plates are accurate portraits of celebrated chiefs, or of characteristic individuals of the race, and are colored with care, to faithfully represent their features and costumes." Howes notes the plates as "mostly the work of King," and declares that they are "the most colorful portraits of Indians ever executed... The original oil paintings from which the plates were copied were all destroyed in the 1865 Smithsonian fire." Originally issued in 20 parts over eight years, with various Philadelphia publishers, Biddle being the primary one. Although the present set states 100 portraits on the title-page, there are actually 121 listed, and all are present. Of these, 50 bear the imprint of Rice & Rutter, 41 bear the imprint of J.T. Bowen, 17 bear a joint imprint of Rice & Hart/J.T. Bowen, and 13 plates at the beginning of Volume one have no imprint and are printed in color. Volume 2 with Rice & Hart imprint and date of 1855 on title page. (Field 992); Howes M129. Lot Amendments Condition: Leather scuffed, corners showing; internally very clean with only occasional foxing; plates with bright and vibrant coloring; bindings near very good; internally near fine. Item number: 193602