History of the Indian tribes of North America: with biographical sketches and anecdotes of the principal chiefs..

Philadelphia: D. Rice & A. N. Hart, 1854. Second octavo edition, 3 volumes, 120 brilliant hand-colored plates by J.T. Bowen, mostly after Charles Bird King; a lovely set in publisher's full blindstamped brown morocco, gilt-lettered spines, a.e.g.; very neatly and professionally rebacked with the old spines laid down; the covers with minimal wear and the plates generally fresh and clean (2 plates and several pages in volume I with a tiny dampstain in the very top margin, not affecting any text or illustration); a near fine, sound copy. Originally published in three large folio volumes 1836-44. "These are the most colorful portraits of Indians ever executed ... The original oil paintings of which these plates were copies were all destroyed in the 1865 Smithsonian fire" (Howes). "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" (Field). Field 992; Howes M129; Sabin 43411.