45

Edward S. Curtis

(1868 - 1952)

Typical Nez Perce (Not Com Sa Haut), 1899

gold-toned printing-out-paper print (GTPOP)
Signed, in the negative at lower left: Curtis
In negative at lower left: 15
Copyright info in negative at lower left: COPYRIGHTED 1899

Negative Date: 1899
Print Date: ca. 1899
Nez Perce, Plateau & Woodlands

The Nez Perce were a small and highly regarded tribal group who lived in the Plateau region of The West. Their leader, and Curtis' friend, was the renowned Chief Joseph. The Nez Perce brave in this rare print obviously possessed great strength and dignity. His gaze is intent and direct. His unshorn hair is worn loos except for the traditional "pompadour" on top. He wears a simple shirt with shell or bone buttons; a fourteen-strand shell bead ("heishi") necklace, with tin y brass bells in the outer strand; and a multi-color heishi choker. The patterns in the blanket draped over his right shoulder dd an interesting aesthetic element to the image. All in all, this is one of Curtis' most compelling and iconic portraits, in an extremely beautiful and rare process. It is estimated that four or fewer examples of this image in the gold-toned printing-out-paper were created or still exist.
15 13/16 x 11 15/16 in. (40.16 x 30.32 cm.)

  • Provenance: Edward S. Curtis Studio, Seattle
    Private Collection(s)
    The Christopher G. Cardozo Collection, 1994

    Publication History - Image:
    The North American Indian (1907-1930), Portfolio 8, Plate 258
    Native Nations, Bulfinch Press, 1993, Page 27
    Sacred Legacy: Edward S. Curtis and the North American Indian, Simon & Schuster, 2000, Page 144
    Edward S. Curtis: The Great Warriors, Bulfinch Press, 2004, Plate 53
    The North American Indian Republication Custom Edition, Christopher Cardozo Fine Art, 2014, Portfolio Volume 2, Plate 258
    Edward S. Curtis One Hundred Masterworks, Delmonico Books/Prestel Publishing, 2015, Page 146
    The North American Indian Republication Reference Edition, Christopher Cardozo Fine Art, 2017, Portfolio Volume 2, Plate 258
  • Condition: This print is in good to very good condition overall. There are numerous, scattered minor to moderate handling marks and creases throughout. There are scattered, more significant creases at the margins, particularly at the lower left corner. There are scattered minor spots of historic retouching. There are a few scattered, minor tears at the margin edges that have been stabilized with mending tape. There are areas of discoloration on the print verso, primarily at the margin edges. The print recto is minimally affected.

    The GTPOP prints are some of Curtis' earliest prints, created during a two to three year period beginning in 1898/99. They are printed onto a lightweight, delicate paper, and as such, the condition issues noted above are very typical, in general, of his GTPOP prints.

    The condition reports for the lots offered by Santa Fe Art Auction (SFAA) are provided as a courtesy and convenience for potential buyers. The reports are not intended to nor do they substitute for physical examination by a buyer or the buyer's advisors. The condition reports are prepared by SFAA staff members who are not art conservators or restorers, nor do they possess the qualifications needed for comprehensive evaluation. Each condition report is an opinion of the staff member and should not be treated as a statement of fact. The absence of a condition report does not imply anything as to the condition of a particular lot. Buyers are reminded that the limited warranties are set forth in the Terms and Conditions of Sale and do not extend to condition. Each lot is sold as-is.


    The condition reports for the lots offered by Santa Fe Art Auction (SFAA) are provided as a courtesy and convenience for potential buyers. The reports are not intended to nor do they substitute for physical examination by a buyer or the buyer's advisors. The condition reports are prepared by SFAA staff members who are not art conservators or restorers, nor do they possess the qualifications needed for comprehensive evaluation. Each condition report is an opinion of the staff member and should not be treated as a statement of fact. The absence of a condition report does not imply anything as to the condition of a particular lot. Buyers are reminded that the limited warranties are set forth in the Terms and Conditions of Sale and do not extend to condition. Each lot is sold as-is.

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