Author: George Catlin

Illustrator: George Catlin

Title: Letters and Notes on the Manners, Customs and Condition of the North American Indians

Year of Publication: 1860

Edition: first or early edition to have both volumes bound together in one

Publisher: J.W. Bradley, Fourth Street, Philadelphia

Size of Book: 6.00 x 9.00 inches with a 3.00 inches spine (approximately)

Brief Details of this Book:

This is a scarce edition of George Catlin’s North American Indians ,was published by J.W. Bradley, Fourth Street, Philadelphia in 1860, with the original binding housing both volumes in this one wonderful single volume. The title page reads: “Written during eight years’ travel amongst the wildest tribes of Indians in North America.” The title page also reads: “With one hundred and fifty illustrations, on steel and wood.”

It is interesting to note that George Catlin was a lawyer, admitted to the bar in 1819, studied art in Philadelphia in 1823, became known as a portraitist, and was eager to record the customs and individuals of the native American Indians, with this book for sale in the 21st Century being testament to George Catlin achieving his goal in the 19th Century!

Condition of the Binding:

The original binding has a wonderful blind stamped decoration to the front and back boards, with a very attractive gilt decoration of a native American chief on his horse, with gilt decoration to the corners just visible. The binding is in Very Good + condition being complete, with edge wear, marks and surface wear to the binding, and dulling to the gilt on the spine and the corners of the book. However, this is a very rare and attractive binding for a very collectable book on early America.

Condition of the Pages:

There are 792 numbered pages, all edges with a marbled pattern, with marbled endpapers to the front and back of the book, having 150 black and white illustrations and packed with incredible detail of the Native American Indians. The pages are firmly bound into the binding and are in overall Very Good + condition with foxing, but not too overt to impede your enjoyment of this book. A number of the thin tissue guards have survived and are still present. Please see the images.

This is an amazing piece of Americana with stunning and dramatic images of North American Indian tribes in this highly informative book in the original binding from 1860