American Indian Print Collection, 18th to 19th century

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Summary

Abstract:
This collection contains prints of American Indians mainly from the Midwestern and Eastern United States during the 18th and 19th centuries. Many of the prints depict romanticized views of Native Americans, including but not limited to their daily life, peaceful and violent interactions with Europeans and Americans, and portraits of important leaders and figures.
Extent:
129 prints in 2 boxes; prints 53 cm. x 48 cm. (21 in. x 19 in.) and smaller.
Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

This collection consists of more than 120 prints of American Indians during the 18th to 19th centuries. The images primarily portray romanticized views of Native Americans, including, but not limited to, their daily life, peaceful and violent interactions with Europeans and Americans, and portraits of important leaders and figures. The majority of the tribes depicted in the prints are located on the East Coast and in the Midwest.

The collection contains portraits of notable Native Americans including Pocahontas, Red Jacket, Philip (Metacom) of the Wampanogas, Samson Occom, Powhatan, Theyanoguin, and Tecumseh. Prominent Europeans and Americans appear as well, including Captain John Smith, William Augustus Bowles, William Penn, Zachary Taylor, and William Henry Harrison. A significant portion of the prints are of bison hunting and Indian ceremonies by artist George Catlin and various Indian daily life scenes by artist Seth Eastman. Other notable images consist of battles between Indians and American settlers and soldiers, Indians playing ball games, dance ceremonies, caring for crops, and Christian missionaries among the Indians.

The items incorporate intaglio, planographic, and relief printing techniques and include lithographs, wood engravings, engravings, and mezzotints.

Box 1 holds 18 prints (1-9; 11-18; 31), Box 2 holds 111 prints (10:1; 19-30; 32-84).

Acquisition information:
This collection is of uncertain provenance and previously formed part of the Huntington Library Prints and Ephemera Collection. Items 52:2 and 68:2 were missing as of March 2013 when the collection was reprocessed.
Rules or conventions:
Finding Aid prepared using Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Note:

Finding aid last updated on July 1, 2019.

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department. For more information, contact Reader Services.

Location of this collection:
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108, US
Contact:
(626) 405-2191
reference@huntington.org
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