Thomas McKenney & James Hall's portfolio of Indian portraits documents an important part of American History. Thomas McKenney, head of the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs for many years, was a champion of the Native Americans and fought throughout his tenure to preserve their culture. His legacy was commissioning artists such as James Otto Lewis and Charles Bird King to paint many of the native leaders when they visited Washington. After he left government office, he produced lithographs of these paintings for this publication. These lithographs are the only visual record left of these great Native Americans, as the paintings were destroyed by fire in 1865. This portrait is of a beautifully dressed woman seated at a table. Her costume is decorated with a peace medal. The original hand-coloring is superb. Very light foxing and darkening of paper edges, else very good.

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Condition: B