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Missouri Indian. Oto Indian. Chief of the Puncas by BODMER, Karl (1809-1893) - 1842

by BODMER, Karl (1809-1893)

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Missouri Indian. Oto Indian. Chief of the Puncas by BODMER, Karl (1809-1893) - 1842

Missouri Indian. Oto Indian. Chief of the Puncas

by BODMER, Karl (1809-1893)

  • Used
Paris, Coblenz and London, 1842. Hand-coloured aquatint engraving by Hürlimann after Bodmer, blind stamp. This dignified triple portrait is made up from three sketches made by Bodmer over a period of more than a year: the unidentified Oto man was sketcehd at Pilcher's trading post on the return down river in May 1834, the Missouri man, Mahinkacha ('Maker of Knives') was drawn on 16 May 1834 at Joseph Roubidoux's trading post above Cantonment Leavenworth. The most striking image, of Schuh-De-Ga-Che ('He Who Smokes'), was made by Bodmer on the way up the river after stopping on 11 May 1833 near White Bear Bluffs to take on board three Ponca Indians. A chief of his tribe, Schuh-De-Ga-Che wears a peace medal with a depiction of President Madison. Karl Bodmer's images show great versatility and technical virtuosity and give us a uniquely accomplished and detailed picture of a previously little understood (and soon to vanish) way of life. Swiss-born Bodmer was engaged by Prince Maximilian zu Wied-Neuwied (1782-1867) specifically to provide a record of his travels in North America, principally among the Plains Indians. In the company of David Dreidoppel (Prince Maximilian's servant and hunting companion), their travels in North America were to last from 1832 to 1834. Well-armed with information and advice, the party finally left St.Louis, on the most important stage of their travels, aboard the steamer Yellow Stone on April 10 1833. They proceeded up the treacherous Missouri River along the line of forts established by the American Fur Company. At Bellevue they encountered their first Indians, then went on to make contact with the Sioux tribe, learning of and recording their little known ceremonial dances and powerful pride and dignity. Transferring from the Yellow Stone to another steamer, the Assiniboin, they continued to Fort Clark, visiting there the Mandan, Mintari and Crow tribes, then the Assiniboins at Fort Union, the main base of the American Fur Company. On a necessarily much smaller vessel they journeyed through the extraordinary geological scenery of that section of the Missouri to Fort Mackenzie in Montana, establishing a cautious friendship with the fearsome Blackfeet. From this, the westernmost point reached, it was considered too dangerous to continue and the return journey downstream began. The winter brought its own difficulties and discomforts, but Bodmer was still able to execute numerous studies of villages, dances and especially the people, who were often both intrigued and delighted by his work. The portraits are particularly notable for their capturing of individual personalities, as well as forming a primary account of what were to become virtually lost cultures.

Graff 4648; Howes M443a; Pilling 2521; Sabin 47014; Wagner-Camp 76:1.
  • Seller Donald Heald Rare Books US (US)
  • Book Condition Used
  • Quantity Available 1
  • Place of Publication Paris, Coblenz and London
  • Date Published 1842

We have 1 copies available starting at £550.06.

Oto Indian / Missouri Indian / Chief of the Puncas
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Oto Indian / Missouri Indian / Chief of the Puncas

by BODMER, Karl (1809-1893)

  • Used
Condition
Used
Quantity Available
1
Seller
New York, New York, United States
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This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
£550.06

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Description:
[Leipzig: Schmidt and Guenther, 1922. Aquatint engraving by Hürlimann after Bodmer. Small tear to upper blank margin not affecting plate area. From the scarce Leipzig edition printed from the original copper-plates. Limited in number, the prints from the Leipzig edition are more scarce than, and compare favorably to, the first edition. (David C. Hunt, "Karl Bodmer and the American Frontier," Imprint/Spring 85, p.18) This dignified triple portrait is made up from three sketches made by Bodmer over a period of more than a year: the unidentified Oto man was sketcehd at Pilcher's trading post on the return down river in May 1834, the Missouri man, Mahinkacha ('Maker of Knives') was drawn on 16 May 1834 at Joseph Roubidoux's trading post above Cantonment Leavenworth. The most striking image, of Schuh-De-Ga-Che ('He Who Smokes'), was made by Bodmer on the way up the river after stopping on 11 May 1833 near White Bear Bluffs to take on board three Ponca Indians. A chief of his tribe, Schuh-De-Ga-Che wears… Read More
Item Price
£550.06