McKenney and Hall | History of the Indian tribes of North America, 1855, 3 volumes

MCKENNEY, THOMAS L., AND JAMES HALL

History of the Indian tribes of North America. Philadelphia: D. Rice and A.N. Hart, 1855

3 volumes, 8vo (260 x 170mm.), 120 coloured plates by J.T. Bowen, most after Charles Bird King, original morocco gilt, gilt edges, staining to a few plates, joints rubbed, spines darkened

Third edition, second octavo. The first octavo edition appeared in 1848-50, following the folio edition of 1836-1844. The plates, "the most colorful portraits of Indians ever executed" (Howes), are from King's portraits in the Indian Gallery, Department of War, Washington, which were all destroyed in the 1865 Smithsonian fire.

LITERATURE:

Maxine and Joel Spitz, book label; Kenneth Nebenzahl, book label, sale, Christie’s New York, 10 April 2012, lot 86

PROVENANCE:

Howes M-129; Sabin 43411