On November 9, Hindman will offer a complete edition of Edward S. Curtis’ photographic and ethnographic study of Native Americans, The North American Indian,a project that took nearly 30 years to finish. The publication, largely started in 1907 and completed in 1930, is made up of 20 text volumes and 20 portfolios. Original complete sets are extremely rare, making it one of the most prized publications for Western art collectors. The set offered at Hindman is estimated at $700,000 to $1 million.
Edward S. Curtis (1868-1952), The North American Indian, 1907-1930 Estimate: $700/1,000,000
The North American Indian features 1,511 illustrations, 1,505 photogravures, four maps and two diagrams, along with 20 supplemental folio volumes featuring some 723 full-sheet photogravures in sepia, many of which have become iconic images. J.P. Morgan, an early backer of the project, originally commissioned 500 copies of the set, although little more than half were ever completed. The set offered by Hindman is No. 88, which was signed by Curtis and originally sold to the Free Public Library of New Bedford, Massachusetts. It comes to Hindman as part of the Dorros Family Collection, selections of which will be sold November 9 at Hindman’s Chicago salesroom.
“It is a privilege to handle such a monumental work,” says Gretchen Hause, Hindman’s vice president and director of books and manuscripts. “The North American Indian is among the most important literary projects of the 20th century and complete copies in any condition are incredibly rare on the market.”
Edward S. Curtis (1868-1952), Canyon de Chelly, from The North American Indian, 1904
The Dorros copy of The North American Indian will be offered during the sale of Fine Books from the Dorros Family Collection, which is the first of two days of fine book auctions at Hindman’s Chicago location. Other highlights from the Dorros collection include a very fine copy of the deluxe issue of George Catlin’s North American Indian Portfolio, featuring hand-colored plates. Important ornithology works include the second double elephant folio edition, the so-called “Bien edition,” of John James Audubon’s Birds of America and a very fine copy of John Gould’s work on hummingbirds, The Monograph of the Trochilidae, or family of Hummingbirds.
Visit hindmanauctions.com for more information on book and art sales at Hindman. —
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