![CURTIS, Edward S. (1868-1952). Prospectus for: The North American Indian, being a Series of Volumes Picturing and Describing the Indians of the United States and Alaska. [Cambridge, Mass.], 1907.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2012/NYR/2012_NYR_02622_0037_000(curtis_edward_s_prospectus_for_the_north_american_indian_being_a_serie071733).jpg?w=1)
Details
CURTIS, Edward S. (1868-1952). Prospectus for: The North American Indian, being a Series of Volumes Picturing and Describing the Indians of the United States and Alaska. [Cambridge, Mass.], 1907.
4o (318 x 241 mm). Letterpress title page and nine leaves of text on Normandy Vellum. Two photogravures: "The Oath -- Apsaroke" and "Navaho Medicine-Man." (Tissue guard slightly foxed.) Original printed wrappers (toned along edges). Provenance: Le Duc de Richelieu (1875-1952; ink stamp on inner front wrapper).
SCARCE ORIGINAL PROSPECTUS OF CURTIS' MONUMENTAL NORTH AMERICAN INDIAN, SIGNED BY CURTIS ON THE FRONTISPIECE. An elaborate prospectus for The North American Indian, one of the most expensive publishing projects ever undertaken and one of the most comprehensive ethnographic records of the native tribes of North America. The set was issued from 1907-1930 in 40 volumes and portfolios (see following lot). Of this original prospectus, presumably no more than 500 copies were printed. Signed copies are very rare on the market, with only one other copy signed by Curtis recorded in American Book Prices Current (sold Christie's Los Angeles, 30 October 2000, lot 801). [Laid-in:] advance reviews of the work printed on a bifolium, including entries by The New York Times, Theodore Roosevelt, Charles F. Lummis, Henry E. Huntington and Francis E. Leupp, Commissioner of Indian Affairs.
4o (318 x 241 mm). Letterpress title page and nine leaves of text on Normandy Vellum. Two photogravures: "The Oath -- Apsaroke" and "Navaho Medicine-Man." (Tissue guard slightly foxed.) Original printed wrappers (toned along edges). Provenance: Le Duc de Richelieu (1875-1952; ink stamp on inner front wrapper).
SCARCE ORIGINAL PROSPECTUS OF CURTIS' MONUMENTAL NORTH AMERICAN INDIAN, SIGNED BY CURTIS ON THE FRONTISPIECE. An elaborate prospectus for The North American Indian, one of the most expensive publishing projects ever undertaken and one of the most comprehensive ethnographic records of the native tribes of North America. The set was issued from 1907-1930 in 40 volumes and portfolios (see following lot). Of this original prospectus, presumably no more than 500 copies were printed. Signed copies are very rare on the market, with only one other copy signed by Curtis recorded in American Book Prices Current (sold Christie's Los Angeles, 30 October 2000, lot 801). [Laid-in:] advance reviews of the work printed on a bifolium, including entries by The New York Times, Theodore Roosevelt, Charles F. Lummis, Henry E. Huntington and Francis E. Leupp, Commissioner of Indian Affairs.