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 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: all titles, state A; War Dance, state A, with first printing of War Dance text; Red Jacket, state C.

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 (522 x 370mm). With original brown wrappers bound at rear for 9 parts. War Dance description present in two states. Complete with 120 hand-colored lithographed plates, uncolored lithographed map, and 17 pp of facsimile signature of subscribers (some thumbsoiling and spotting, heavier in a few places; intermittent dampstaining to text, only very faintly to a few plates; a few plates/pages with repaired closed tears, Keokuk in particular; vol 3 with frontis partially colored and Pocahantas plate laid down, stained, and torn). 19th-century burgundy half morocco gilt (vol 2 rebacked with original spine laid down, vol 3 spine torn along front joint and above title).