Fine folio reproduction copy of one of the most remarkable sets of hand colored lithographs of Native Americans ever made. This book is indispensable for the dealers in antique prints of Indians in the early 19th century. This book oddly used the later 4to series of prints which contains different spellings for the Indians. This varies from the original folio plates. The Birmingham Al library has two sets that can be viewed I have done it. This is one of the most important sets of prints ever made in American outside of the folio Aububons of the same time period. Both of these series were reproduced later in the smaller 4to sizes. this 3 vol book sells for over $50,000 at auction up to $80,000. The original Audubon folios bring up to $10 million. Other important prints of early Indians are those of Bodmer and Catlin. The McKenney- Hall series are simple portraits of Indians who visited Washington City before 1834. The Catlin and Bodmer prints are scenes of villages and activities. My favorite scenes are known as "ball play" which is modern day LaCrosse and similar to football especially the playing field and goals which are similar to today's fields.The quality of the Bodmer art is stunning.
Most of the oil painting were done by Charles Bird King at Washington City as the important Indians, male and female, visited there.
Thomas L McKenney, the chief of the Bureau of Indian affairs took the oil portraits and had hand colored lithographs made for his personal gain along with this partner Hall who was in charge of writing the copy and getting the book produced, Much of the copy of lacks authenticity. McKenney did not have legal permission to reproduce the oils. The collection of Indian artifacts in the office of the Indian bureau became the beginnings of the Smithsonian collection. Most of the original oils were burned in a fire so the lithographs are all that remain as images of the Indian visitors to Washington. The lithographs were produced over a 3 year period and made at three different companies in Philadelphia in the 1830s. It appears that McKenney struggled with producing his 3 volume folio book. This practice of painting Indians at the Indian Bureau ended with the Indian removal act of 1834 and the removal of McKenney from his job by Jackson. The production of this book occurred during the time of the forced removal of Indians to the west and the "trail of tears". These prints remain very popular with print collectors. ( )