CALLING BIRD PIEGAN 1928 Copper Plate & Gravure

1. EDWARD S. CURTIS. Piksohkomi "Calling Bird" - Piegan, 1926. 5x5.5" image on 9x6.5" copper plate. Plate date 1928. From Volume 18, Woodlands & Alberta, Canada, of The North American Indian. Engraved on plate recto: Piksohkomi "Calling Bird" - Piegan / From Copyright Photograph 1926 by E.S. Curtis.

2. EDWARD S. CURTIS. Piksohkomi "Calling Bird" - Piegan, 1926. 7.5x5.5" photogravure on 12.5x9.3 Holland Van Gelder paper. Print date 1928. From Volume 18, Woodlands & Alberta, Canada, of The North American Indian. Printed on print recto: Piksohkomi "Calling Bird" - Piegan / From Copyright Photograph 1926 by E.S. Curtis.

Edward Sheriff Curtis (1868-1952) created a legacy that was a monumental visual tour de force, an ethnographic, heroic and theatrical record of the American Indian and their recollected and imagined way of life before the white man. Between 1898 and 1928, working in collaboration with many tribal members, Curtis created an ethno-historical account combined with photographic notions of character portraiture, environmental portraiture, and classical romanticism as well as straight documentary views. He published 20 octavo volumes with around 75 prints per volume each accompanied with a larger portfolio of usually 36 hand pulled photogravures. The North American Indian (1906-1928) is considered the most lavish and elegantly illustrated set of photographic books ever produced. This lot has the unique copper plate made for this publication under Curtis' supervision as well as a matching photogravure made from this plate.
Condition Report: 1. Condition: Very Good. Minor scratches, tarnish, dents, abrasions, small dark spots, and ink residue throughout plate surface.
2. Excellent. Minor wear