Christie's: PRINTED BOOKS AND MANUSCRIPTS: Lot 189
McKENNEY, Thomas L. (1785-1859) and James HALL (1793-1868). History of the Indian Tribes of North America. Philadelphia: Edward C. Biddle (vol. I); Daniel Rice and James G. Clarke (vols. II and III), 1837-1842-1844.
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3 volumes, 2 o (514 x 358 mm). 120 hand-colored lithographed plates and uncolored lithographed map (occasional offsetting and spotting throughout, few images lightly rubbed, two plates loose with small chips at edges). Contemporary black half morocco gilt (worn, rear cover of vol. I detached). FIRST EDITION, mixed issue. Titles: volume I, state B; volume II, state B; volume III, state A. Plates: War Dance, state B; Red Jacket, state D. Contains the printed list of subscribers. The practice of taking portraits of the principal American Indians who came to Washington had begun as early as 1824. Chiefly painted by Charles Bird King, they were deposited in the War Department. Col. McKenney, superintendant of Indian affairs at Washington, conceived of the plan of making a collection of biographies, enhanced by the addition of the portraits. A biographical sketch accompanies each portrait, and the work also contains a general history of the various Indian tribes within the borders of the United States. Bennett, p.79; BAL 6934; Field 992; Howes M129; Reese 24; Sabin 43410a. (3).
