The Aboriginal Port Folio - photo 1
The Aboriginal Port Folio - photo 2
The Aboriginal Port Folio - photo 3

The Aboriginal Port Folio

Lot 169
26.05.2022 10:00UTC -05:00
Classic
Sold
$ 69 300
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUSA, New York
Archive
The auction is completed. No bids can be placed anymore.
Archive
ID 752969
Lot 169 | The Aboriginal Port Folio
Estimate value
$ 15 000 – 25 000
The Aboriginal Port FolioJames Otto Lewis, 1835LEWIS, James Otto (1799-1858). The Aboriginal Port Folio; or a Collection of Portraits of the most Celebrated Chiefs of the North American Indians. Philadelphia: Published by the Author, [May-December 1835] (cover title). The first eight parts, in rare original wrappers. "This was the first attempt made in the United States at a large scale work devoted to the American Indian. Lewis conceived the idea of a folio series of Indian portraits while accompanying Gov. Lewis Cass of Michigan on a tour of the Great Lakes in 1825-1827. He was not able to begin publication until 1835, when the work was advertised as ten parts, each with eight plates, issued in wrappers. The lithographers, George Lehman and Peter S. Duval, did a creditable job, but could not overcome the miserable execution of poor Lewis. Subscribers dropped away, and the last two parts are famously rare as a result. The supplement in a promised broadside advertisement never appeared. Nonetheless, it is a pioneering work among such publications" (Stamped with a National Character). America Pictured to the Life 54; Bennett p. 68; Field 936; Howes L-315 ("c"); Reese, James Otto Lewis and His Aboriginal Port Folio, New Haven 2008 (this copy illustrated on back cover); Stamped with a National Character, 23; Sabin 40812.Eight parts as usual (parts 1-8 of 10), folio (485 x 300 mm). Letterpress advertisements by Lewis in the first three parts (repaired tear to first one). 64 (of 80) hand-colored lithographed plates after Lewis by Lehman & Duval (light soiling, some edge-tears, long repaired marginal tear to pl. 4 and shorter repaired tear to pl. 50, pt. 7 with portrait of Mish-sha-quat supplied and laid in). Original lithographed wrappers partially accomplished in manuscript, parts 5-6 with letterpress advertisement containing reviews on back wrappers (backstrips renewed, touching lettering on pt. 2, pt. 3 laid into wrappers, pt. 4 stained on upper wrapper, scattered edge chips and wear). Custom chemise and cloth slipcase. Provenance: James S. Curtis (light ownership signature on pt. 8 wrapper) – St. Paul Public Library (perforation stamp and other markings to upper wrapper of volume one and stamp to lower wrapper of vol. 8) – purchased by William Reese from Rulon-Miller Books in 1993 (note laid in).
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