(Ottawa) Kanapima. History of the Indian Trribes... Philadelphia, 1842-44. $265.00

"Kanapima"

One of the most significant 19th century American publications was The History of the Indian Tribes of North America.  The work was compiled by Thomas McKenney, Superintendent of Indian Affairs under four consecutive presidents.  During his tenure, McKenney developed a keen interest in the customs, habits and beliefs of the North America Indian.  While tribal delegations visited Washington to make treaties with the "White Chief," McKenney decided to memorialize each visitor with a portrait. These portraits were painted by Charles Bird King, the popular high society Washington portrait artist.  The paintings hung in the Smithsonian for a period of 40 years until tragically they were lost in the Smithsonian fire of 1865.  Fortunately for us, McKenney had teamed up with James Hall, a frontier lawyer and author, and together they published a two volume work containing lithographed illustrations with descriptive text of each painting.  Today, these lithographed portraits serve as our only remaining record of the event.
This lithograph is from an early edition of the famous and popular octavo work.

10 x 6 3/4 inches sheet.
Lithograph with full original color.
Minor evidence of handling.