(Edinburgh: John Grant, 1933, 1934).

A SPECTACULAR WORK OF AMERICAN HISTORY AND STILL A VALUABLE SOURCE OF INFORMATION ON THE GREAT INDIGENOUS LEADERS AND PEOPLES. ONE OF THE MOST MARVELOUSLY ILLUSTRATED DESCRIPTIONS AND PRESENTATIONS OF FAMOUS NATIVE AMERICAN PERSONAGES. Originally conceived in 1821, McKenney and Hall's work is valuable because it records the features of numerous Indians prominent in the history of the United States. These are presented in portraits painted from life, showing native costumes, facial paintings, hairdressing, ornaments, etc. The data for many of the biographies was obtained during the lifetime of the individuals from personal interactions on the part of the authors.
McKenney was the  Superintendent of Indian Trade and accrued much experience in Native American relations over the years, and was eventually dismissed from his high-ranking government position in 1830 because he publicly disagreed with President Jackson s harsh and unfair policy toward the Indians, which included forced relocation from their native lands. Indeed, this book is also one of the only sources of information from this time period that respects the native tribes as a culture, recording traditional dress and social customs that disappeared as the tribes became somewhat assimilated into white society. This edition includes a wealth of commentary and reflection on the text by the editor. An excellent set of this highly significant book.
Most of the original portraits were painted in oil by an important artist of the time, Charles Bird King, who was commissioned to paint pictures of each of the Indian delegates to Washington D.C. Col. McKenney, who had been superintendent of Indian Affairs in Washington, wrote biographical sketches for each portrait while James Hall wrote the larger descriptions of the history of the American Indian. Item #28034

3 volumes. First Edition issued by John Grant and the best and most beautifully illustrated edition of the work created in modern times, edited by Frederick Webb Hodge. With 123 full page colour plates, two photogravure portraits, and two folding colour maps at rear of Volume Three. Large 8vo, in the publisher s original navy blue cloth lettered in gilt on the spines and with vignettes stamped in blind on each upper cover, t.e.g. lxii, 442 (with index); 458, (with index); xvi, 345 (with index), [1 ad]. A fine set, the cloth and textblocks handsome, bright and well preserved, overall, very clean and fresh with only the lightest bit of edge mellowing.