MARIA

Flagstaff: Northland Press, 1979., 1979. First edition. First edition. Signed by the author on the title page. 4to. Black cloth with a design on the front cover and titles stamped in gilt on the spine, bright red front and rear endpapers, xxi [1], 136 [2] pp., foreword, preface, Indian Pottery and Indian Values by Popovi Da, illustrated from photographs, portraits, numerous full-page color plates, map, notes to the chapters, bibliography, genealogy, index. This is the first book by Richard L. Spivey on Maria Martinez and her family of San Ildefonso Pueblo. Spivey spent many years researching the Martinez family and, in 1979, published this first book. He later published an enlarged book on the family. "Internationally recognized, Maria is certainly the most famous of the superb Pueblo potters from San Ildefonso. Since her debut in St. Louis at the 1904 World's Fair, Maria's reputation has continued to spread. She developed her skills within the Pueblo tradition and later these methods and discoveries were taught to other family members. "Maria is an art book about this legendary potter and her talented family; important information about Julian Martinez, Popovi Da, Santana Roybal, and Tony Da is included. "Over 60 color and 40 black-and-white images lavishly illustrate this informative and highly readable text. Laura Gilpin's historical photographs show Maria at work in San Ildefonso. Exquisite pieces selected from private collections and museums have been photographed by Jerry Jacka and others and provide excellent examples of Maria's work. There are many color plates of the well-known Black-on-black ware so often associated with Maria. In addition Maria and her colleagues created beautiful Polychrome, Black-on-sienna, Buff-on-Red, and polished wares; fine examples of these have been included. In many instances the illustrations are accompanied by Maria's quoted remarks concerning the specific photographs. "Author Richard L. Spivey is a recognized authority of Pueblo Indian pottery and a friend of Maria and her family. He discusses their cooperative endeavors and provides important documentation concerning the pottery. Representative signatures from different periods also are shown." Fine, bright copy in price-clipped, moderately rubbed dust jacket with light wear to the spine ends, corners and extremities.