McKENNEY, Thomas L. (1785-1859) and James HALL (1793-1868). History of the Indian Tribes of North America ... Volume I. London: J.M. Campbell, 1837.

Rare first English edition of McKenney and Hall's exceptional color plate book, published contemporaneously with the American edition. Volume I is all that was ever published. "The complicated circumstances of [this edition’s] production have left a bibliographic stew of issues and issue points that are yet to be resolved" (Stamped with a National Character). Although this is a London imprint, it is of particular interest as it remains an open question how many of the plates were in fact produced in the United States. There is also compelling evidence that the frontispiece after the painting by Peter Rindisbacher was issued in England before the United States version (see Alvin Josephy's biography of Rindisbacher (1970)). Howes M-129; Stamped with a National Character 24n.

Folio (520 × 370mm). 30 hand-colored lithographic plates (repair along fore-edge of Nawkah plate, stain touching edge of Metakoosega plate, light soiling). Modern half sheep over contemporary cloth (rebacked).

Early bookplate, obscured by the following
Birmingham and Midland Institute (20th-century bookplate with deaccession stamp)