McKENNEY, Thomas L. (1785-1859) and James HALL (1793-1868). History of the Tribes of North America. Philadelphia: J.T. Bowen, 1848-1850 (vols. I and III); D. Rice and A. N. Hart, 1854 (vol. II).

First octavo edition, mixed issue. As Superintendent of Indian Affairs, McKenney commissioned Charles Bird King to produce portraits Native American leaders. The folio edition was published 1836-1844 with the following octavo edition containing an additional plate of Red Bird (vol. II, frontispiece) and expanded biographies, along with the renowned portraits of Pocahontas and Black Hawk. The transformation of Bird’s paintings into printed works in fact saved these portraits, as the “original oil paintings of which the plates were copies were all destroyed in the 1865 Smithsonian fire,” making McKenney and Hall’s work a vital record for the “most colorful portraits of Indians ever executed.” Howes M-129.

Three volumes, octavo (255 x 162mm). Hand-colored lithographic dedication, 120 hand-colored lithographic plates by J.T. Bowen mostly after Charles Bird King, tissue guards (some mostly marginal foxing, occasional pale toning to plates). Contemporary red morocco, gilt tooling to boards and spine, all edges gilt. (vol. I spine cracked and chipping, vol. III spine chipped at head and tail, rubbed, light marks to boards). Provenance: Sophia Thompson (bookplates).