McKENNEY, Thomas L. (1785-1859) and James HALL (1793-1868). History of the Indian Tribes of North America. Philadelphia: Edward C. Biddle, 1837 (for vol. 1) and Daniel Rice and James G. Clark, 1842-44 (vols 2 & 3).

First edition, mixed issue, of the "grandest color plate book issued in the United States up to the time of its publication" (Reese). "Its long and checkered publication history spanned twelve years and involved multiple lithographers (mainly Peter S. Duval and James T. Bowen) and publishers, but the final product is one of the most distinctive and important books in Americana. Almost all the plates are portraits of individual Native Americans, the majority painted from life by Charles Bird King (who also reworked the less skillful portraits of James Otto Lewis). The complicated circumstances of its production have left a bibliographical stew of issues and issue points that are yet to be satisfactorily resolved." The present copy has the following BAL states: titles of volumes 1 and 2, state B; title of vol. 3, state A; War Dance, state A; Red Jacket, state F.

The practice of taking portraits of the principal American Indians who came to Washington had begun as early as 1824. Chiefly painted by Charles Bird King, they were deposited in the War Department. Col. McKenney, Superintendent of Indian Affairs in Washington, conceived of the plan of making a collection of biographies, enhanced by the addition of the portraits. BAL 6934.

Three volumes, folio (480 x 340mm). 120 hand-colored lithographed plates, uncolored lithographed map, and 17 pp of facsimile signature of subscribers. (Vol. 1 with light crease to frontis, guard, and title, as well as short closed tear and light tide mark to lower margin of title; one plate lightly stained. Vol. 2. with marginal dampstain to a few leaves. Scattered finger soiling throughout volumes, as well as some spotting and toning, heavier in vol. 3). 19th-century half red morocco gilt over marbled boards (rubbed, some chipping to foot of vol. 3 spine). Provenance: Hill Library, Saint Paul (stamps to titles of vols 1 & 2 and to a couple leaves of text of vol 3).