Plate 16 ESKADI APACHE 1903 Copper Plate

EDWARD S. CURTIS. Plate 16 Eskadi - Apache, 1903. 15.5x10.25" image on 17x12" copper plate. Plate Date 1907. From Portfolio 1, Apache & Navaho, of The North American Indian. Engraved on plate recto: Plate 16/Eskadi - Apache / From Copyright Photograph 1903 by E.S. Curtis/ Photogravure John Andrew and Son

Curtis wrote about this: "A headman of one of the bands, and a particularly fine Apache type."

To make the photogravure prints from the negative Curtis created a glass positive, that he would edit on and then working with the great photogravure printing companies in Boston, John Andrew & Son that became Suffolk Engraving Company, they made over 2200 copper plates from which the photogravures were to be printed. These plates were then steel faced for small printing runs then refaced, preserving the original image that was etched into the copper plate. Lot 5010 has detailed description of the process. Aesthetically they are brilliant shiny copper almost gold like aesthetic objects on which the image glows; they have sold for as much as $700,000. As opposed the edition of approximately 300 photogravures that were made from each plate and open edition chemical prints Curtis made in his studios these are a unique photographic object.
Condition Report: Very Good. Minor scratches, tarnish, dents, abrasions, small dark spots, and ink residue throughout plate surface.