History Of The Indian Tribes Of North America... 1848-49-50 120 Hand Colored Plates [ct In 3 Vols] by McKenney, Thomas L. & Hall, James - 1848-49-50

J. T. Bowen. Very Good+ with no dust jacket. 1848-49-50. First Edition. Leather. 389949; Handcolored; large octavo; iv[333]; xvii[9]290; iv[17]392 pages; . ..with biographical sketches and anecdotes of the principal chiefs. Embellished with one hundred and twenty portraits from the Indian Gallery in the War Department at Washington. ". Original, Complete. 10 7/8" x 7.5". The first octavo edition. Three volumes, red three-quarters morocco of the period, marbled sides, emblematic spines, all edges gilt. 10 1/2 x 6 1/2 inches (26 x 16 cm) ; iv, 333 pp. ; xviii, 11-290 pp. ; iv, 17-392 pp. ; complete with a total of 120 hand-colored plates, plus the colored dedication litho to Washington. Some light wear to the bindings with evident minor refurbishment and two volumes neatly rebacked retaining the original spine, but withal a clean copy, retaining the original guard sheets. Some toning or spotting to the text as usual, but though the tissue guards are foxed and discolored, almost all the plates are free from foxing and other defects. Bookplates of Walter J. H. Jones. This is one of the finest American color plate books of the period, in which most of the plates are after the paintings rendered (at McKenney''s behest) by the artist Charles Bird King. Most of King''s portraits were lost in the 1865 Smithsonian fire, so this work not only preserves the likeness of Native American leaders of the period, but is also a significant American art historical document. Field 992: "The plates are accurate portraits of celebrated chiefs, or of characteristic individuals of the race; and are colored with care, to faithfully represent their features and costumes." Sabin 43411; Howes M129. Laid in is an more or less vintage undated receipt for this set for $20, 000. Provenance: Arthur Schliesman, Thomas Cullen bookman, Walter J L Jones armorial bookplate. A solid and very attractive set. .