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Edward S. Curtis Rare Proof Envelope

VERY RARE PHOTOGRAPHIC PROOFS
BY EDWARD S. CURTIS:

Edward S. Curtis was one of the greatest American photographers. Over a 30 year period (1896-1930) he traveled widely throughout the pueblos of the Indian tribes of the Southwest as well as throughout British Columbia, Canada and Alaska photographing Native Americans. Some of his work was privately published in the 20 volume set of "North American Indian Series".

Curtis spent thirty years visiting and photographing native peoples. He was one of the few white people ever initiated into the Hopi Snake Clan and participated in their famed Snake Dance where the dancers dance with live rattlesnakes in their mouths. There's a wonderful film on Curtis by T.C. McLuhan called "The Shadow Catcher" which is available in video by Mystic Fire Video. (1-800-292-9001)

Curtis used a large camera which had glass plates. Whenever he made his first proof off of each plate, he glued it onto a manila envelope, wrote important notes in his own handwriting on the proof and then used the manila envelope to hold the glass plate. This was his filing system. Naturally, there is only one proof envelope per glass plate which makes them exceedingly rare. The manila envelopes are 8" x 10 1/2" and the proofs are 6" x 8".

Curtis also indicated on the proof if this photograph was going to appear in his "North American Indian Series" books. If it was, then he noted what volume it would be in. If not, he marked a very delicate X over the photograph.

We have four of Edward S. Curtis' proof envelopes. Two of them were used in his books and two of them were not. For the ones with an X on them, it may well be the only copy in existence of this photograph.

I obtained these proofs around 20 years ago when I had a store in Taos, New Mexico. If you are a collector of Edward S. Curtis, this is your opportunity to obtain something very rare and special which Curtis himself has touched and written upon.

EDWARD S. CURTIS PROOF ENVELOPE: "BARK DISHES, KOBUK": This is a photgraph of an assortment of birchbark dishes. It appeared in the "North American Indian Series" Volume XX. Curtis' own handwriting is on this proof with his signature. It says "Copyright 1928 by Edward S. Curtis" plus other notes and numbers by Curtis. It is unframed.
Item # AR-54
Price: $3,000