This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/20/2022
McKENNEY, Thomas L. (1785–1859). –– [HALL, James (1793–1868)]. History of the Indian Tribes of North America… Philadelphia: D. Rice & A.N. Hart, 1858.
Volume II (of 3) only, royal 8vo in fours (267 x 111 mm). (Some light occasional spotting). 48 hand–colored lithographs with tissue guards of individual Native American portraits primarily taken after the artist Charles Bird King (1785–1862). (Some small spots occasionally at margins of plates, else clean). PUBLISHER’S DELUXE BLIND–STAMPED BROWN MOROCCO, raised bands, gilt–lettering in two compartments, all edges gilt (extremes rubbed including some wear along head and top edge).
An early edition (fourth octavo) OF ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT BOOKS OF THE CENTURY and one of the most lavish color plate books issued in the United States up to the time of its publication (see Reese for folio edition, Nineteenth Century American Color Plate Books p. 50). The first octavo edition was originally issued in 3 volumes in 1848–50 by J.T. Bowen and contains the addition plate “Red Bird” as the frontispiece to Volume II (as seen here). The plates, which Howes describes as “the most colorful portraits of Indians ever executed,” are from King’s portraits previously held in the Indian Gallery, Department of War (Washington D. C.) before they were destroyed in the fire that ravaged the Smithsonian in 1865. Howes M–129; Sabin 43411 (1850 edition).