2 vols. 4to
1909 · [Cambridge, Mass.]
by CURTIS, Edward Sheriff (1868-1952)
[Cambridge, Mass.], 1909. 2 vols. 4to. Text volume with 76 photogravure plates (12 1/2 x 9 1/2 inches) and folio (22 x 18 inches). 36 large supplemental photogravure plates numbered 148-183 printed on Van Gelder Holland. Copy 198 from the original proposed edition of 500. Text volume in publisher's half brown morocco, spine with raised bands forming four compartments, lettered gilt. Portfolio in publisher's half morocco
Complete text and portfolio volumes depicting the Mandan, Arikara and Atsina cultures from Edward Curtis' landmark work.
The present set, from Curtis' monumental work The North American Indian, portrays the cultures of the Mandan, Arikara, and Atsina tribes, each of which occupied a distinct place in the history and cultural landscape of the Northern Plains. The Mandan people historically lived in semi-permanent communities along the Missouri River in what is now North Dakota. Curtis describes the Mandan tribe as "a vigorous people, of splendid physique, living in lodges that were not only spacious but provided with comforts unknown to the roving tribes," noting that the tribe relied on agriculture, growing enough crops to have excess for bartering. Corn was the staple of the Mandan people and mythologies and traditions of the tribe developed around this commodity. The Mandan, a tribe known for their vibrant cultural expressions, impressed Curtis with their skills in crafts. They practiced intricate beadwork, crafting glass beads into elaborate designs that were both decorative and symbolic. Additionally, they were known for their pottery, creating functional and artistic pieces that showcased their technical skill and artistic sensibilities. Another tribal community found in North Dakota was that of the Arikara people, notable for their intricate healing practices. Pictured in the text volume are the rattles of the medicine men. According to Curtis, permanent village life allowed the Arikara to develop ceremonies with intricate performances. This seasonal rite, deeply rooted in religious beliefs, was so elaborate that nearby tribes and even distant medicine men were drawn to its reputation for supernatural power. Curtis noted that the Arikara's medicine fraternity practiced "legerdemain"-or sleight-of-hand-convincingly enough that audiences accepted these acts as signs of mystical intervention. The Atsina, or the Gros Ventre, whom Curtis describes as "a strong, active tribe, the equal of many of their better known neighbors" and "one of the most agreeable and tractable tribes he had ever met," historically lived in northcentral Montana and southern Saskatchewan. They spoke an Algonquian language unusual in having different pronunciations for men and women. Curtis notes that the Atsina were essentially a hunting people, subsisting on buffalo rather than relying on crops. The tribe is notable for their five distinct ceremonial dances. They were both solemn and entertaining and held a significant religious role as well as showcasing a communal bond that blended sacred and social aspects unique to Atsina cultural life. Curtis collected materials over three decades by traveling extensively and living with Native American tribes, learning their customs, languages, and beliefs. His approach combined photography, detailed written descriptions, and sound recordings of traditional songs and language to document the lives of over 80 tribes across the United States and Canada. Curtis often immersed himself in the daily lives of tribal members, gaining trust by participating in or respectfully observing ceremonies and everyday activities. Curtis' deeply personal involvement in his subjects' lives and cultures was integral to his creation of one of the most comprehensive visual and written records of Native American life. His meticulous documentation has left an invaluable legacy of Indigenous cultures before the devastating impacts of European colonization.
The Truthful Lens 40; Howes C965, "dd. (Inventory #: 41789)
Complete text and portfolio volumes depicting the Mandan, Arikara and Atsina cultures from Edward Curtis' landmark work.
The present set, from Curtis' monumental work The North American Indian, portrays the cultures of the Mandan, Arikara, and Atsina tribes, each of which occupied a distinct place in the history and cultural landscape of the Northern Plains. The Mandan people historically lived in semi-permanent communities along the Missouri River in what is now North Dakota. Curtis describes the Mandan tribe as "a vigorous people, of splendid physique, living in lodges that were not only spacious but provided with comforts unknown to the roving tribes," noting that the tribe relied on agriculture, growing enough crops to have excess for bartering. Corn was the staple of the Mandan people and mythologies and traditions of the tribe developed around this commodity. The Mandan, a tribe known for their vibrant cultural expressions, impressed Curtis with their skills in crafts. They practiced intricate beadwork, crafting glass beads into elaborate designs that were both decorative and symbolic. Additionally, they were known for their pottery, creating functional and artistic pieces that showcased their technical skill and artistic sensibilities. Another tribal community found in North Dakota was that of the Arikara people, notable for their intricate healing practices. Pictured in the text volume are the rattles of the medicine men. According to Curtis, permanent village life allowed the Arikara to develop ceremonies with intricate performances. This seasonal rite, deeply rooted in religious beliefs, was so elaborate that nearby tribes and even distant medicine men were drawn to its reputation for supernatural power. Curtis noted that the Arikara's medicine fraternity practiced "legerdemain"-or sleight-of-hand-convincingly enough that audiences accepted these acts as signs of mystical intervention. The Atsina, or the Gros Ventre, whom Curtis describes as "a strong, active tribe, the equal of many of their better known neighbors" and "one of the most agreeable and tractable tribes he had ever met," historically lived in northcentral Montana and southern Saskatchewan. They spoke an Algonquian language unusual in having different pronunciations for men and women. Curtis notes that the Atsina were essentially a hunting people, subsisting on buffalo rather than relying on crops. The tribe is notable for their five distinct ceremonial dances. They were both solemn and entertaining and held a significant religious role as well as showcasing a communal bond that blended sacred and social aspects unique to Atsina cultural life. Curtis collected materials over three decades by traveling extensively and living with Native American tribes, learning their customs, languages, and beliefs. His approach combined photography, detailed written descriptions, and sound recordings of traditional songs and language to document the lives of over 80 tribes across the United States and Canada. Curtis often immersed himself in the daily lives of tribal members, gaining trust by participating in or respectfully observing ceremonies and everyday activities. Curtis' deeply personal involvement in his subjects' lives and cultures was integral to his creation of one of the most comprehensive visual and written records of Native American life. His meticulous documentation has left an invaluable legacy of Indigenous cultures before the devastating impacts of European colonization.
The Truthful Lens 40; Howes C965, "dd. (Inventory #: 41789)
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