This two-volume set by Francis S. Drake is an abridgement of Henry Rowe Schoolcraft's 6-volume work on Native Americans, published in 1851. Schoolcraft's work was intended to be an encyclopedia on all aspects of Native Americans, with information on history, physical geography, intellectual capacity and character, population and statistics, manners and customs, tribal organizations, and art and antiquities. Drake's updated edition includes 100 plates, 11 of which are in hand color. Some of the more notable plates include Soi-en-ga-rah-ta or King Hendrick, an ethnographical map of Native American tribes in North America, a Navajo wigwam, Natives in Virginia, Itaska Lake (source of the Mississippi River), and a portrait of Schoolcraft, which serves as the frontispiece for volume I.

There are tissue guards present on nearly all of the engravings. 4to. Two volumes; 458 pp.; 455 pp.; 100 plates. Hardbound in quarter black pebbled leather with tips over maroon pebbled leather-covered boards, with gilt tooling on covers; spine has gilt tooling, raised bands, and gilt titling. All edges gilt.

References: Howes #D-472.

Condition:

Volume I is in very good (B+) condition with light scattered foxing. The front cover is beginning to separate from the binding. Volume II is in near fine (A) condition with a clean interior with minor toning along the edges of the pages. The covers of both volumes are worn with abrasions and bumped corners. The spines also have some abrasions.