Original Color Lithograph of PES-KE-LE-CHA-CO A PAWNEE CHIEF, by McKenney & Hall

Description: This is an Original Circa 1841 Hand-Colored Lithographic Portrait on paper of A PAWNEE CHIEF: PES-KE-LE-CHA-CO with a Silver Peace Medal around his neck most likely painted by Charles Bird King and published in this Folio format by Thomas McKenney & James Hall. The Inside dimensions of the back of the frame measure 12" x 18", the original measurements of the print having been 13.25" x 19.7". It is in a vintage Birdseye Maple frame measuring 15" x 21" lacking the original paper backing and having a very light brown stain in the lower left blank margin but in otherwise very nice, clean, bright condition.The History of the Indian Tribes of North America is a three-volume collection of Native American biographies and accompanying lithograph portraits, originally published in the United States from 1836 to 1844 by Thomas McKenney and James Hall. The majority of the portraits were first painted in oil by Charles Bird King. McKenney was working as the US Superintendent of Indian Trade and would head the Office of Indian Affairs, both within the War Department. He planned publication of the biographical project to be supported by private subscription, as was typical for publishing of the time.Believing that Native Americans were threatened as a race, McKenney wanted to preserve a record of their leaders for government archives, as well as to share it with the American people. He commissioned Charles Bird King to paint portraits of leaders who came to Washington to negotiate treaties, and James Hall to write biographies of them. The publication project incorporated lithographs made from the paintings.To reach a wider public, McKenney commissioned lithographs of the paintings, with each portrait to be supported by a full biography of the subject. The full project was envisioned to be published in three volumes. To research and write those, McKenney commissioned James Hall (1793–1868), a judge and Treasurer of the State of Illinois, who was known as a writer. Hall had difficulty in developing the biographies, as McKenney never provided promised source material. Hall spent eight years tracking and researching the subjects, about whom McKenney had provided little more than names.1865 fire at the SmithsonianIn the winter of 1865, workers relocating the portraits brought in a wood-burning stove to provide warmth, and vented the stovepipe into a ventilation shaft which they mistook for a flue. After two weeks, a full fire had ignited in the ventilation shaft. The second floor was engulfed, and the roof of the Castle subsequently collapsed.It was the most catastrophic fire in the Smithsonian's history: 295 of the original Indian portraits were consumed; only five were rescued. Although one of the painters had made a few copies of his favorite portraits for himself, nearly all of the portraits would have been irretrievably lost had McKenney, Hall, and their colleagues not completed the lithography and publication project. The volumes remain a record of prominent Native American leaders of the first half of the 19th century.PLEASE NOTE: In all honesty I have to offer this caveat; Athough I stand behind the image as being a Period Hand-Colored Lithograph, I cannot say with any certainty as to which state of the image I am offering herein. Most of the published folio images were issued first by McKenney & Hall/J. T. Bowen, then by Greenaugh (see my other 2 like listings) and lastly by Rice & Clark, all of Philadelphia (BAL 6934). If there were any other folio printings of this image, I am not aware of them. I will say this, there were proof copies made before eventually being published in 3 folios. PLEASE NOTE: We offer FREE Domestic Shipping ************************ Payment is requested within five days of auction's close. After payment is received normal shipping is within, 4 days; super quick shipping can be arranged, JUST ASK.INTERNATIONAL BUYERS: We utilize the eBay International Shipping program, which will handle all Billing, Shipping and potential Returns.Please note our years of positive feedback.... it offers proof of the overall satisfaction of our customers for over 20 years of selling Books, Maps, Autographs, Prints and other mostly Paper items on eBay. It is because items are accurately described and guaranteed, and carefully packaged. Our goal has always been your happiness with your purchase. If any item fails to do that, contact us and we will work to correct it through refunds or returns.

Price: 225 USD

Location: Saint Helena Island, South Carolina

End Time: 2024-09-16T22:58:52.000Z

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