The North American Indian—The Complete Portfolios [SOLD]

The North American Indian—The Complete Portfolios

Edward S. Curtis

Publisher: Tashen

Softcover, 768 pages, complete portfolios of all 20 volumes, illustrated in sepia tone

Condition: very good condition

Shortly before the turn to the twentieth century, Edward Sheriff Curtis (1868-1952) began his quest to record the last living traditions of North American Indian tribes in words and pictures. It was to take him more than 30 years.  The result of these many years of work was to be published as a massive 20 volume encyclopedia entitled “The North American Indian.” It is not known how many of the 500 numbered sets originally planned were actually printed. We do know that only 272 sets were sold at an initial price of $5000 due to lack of interest.  The sets were published between 1907 and 1930.

The result of the immense investment in time and money culminated in the book version as an exceedingly lavish and costly production, an exquisite work printed on heavy stock, with leather binding and gilt edging.  The luxurious confection and the small print run, however, prevented the wide distribution of their content to which the author had aspired.

Over the course of two decades, Curtis visited 80 Indian tribes from Mexico to Alaska,  His unique images have recorded for posterity the remains of their threatened culture.