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101 photos
Edward S. Curtis

A photographer of the American West, Edward Sheriff Curtis is best known for his many images of Native Americans.

In 1906 J.P. Morgan offered Curtis $75,000 to produce a series on North American Indians. The series was to be in 20 volumes with 1,500 photographs, with Morgan was to receiving 25 sets of the series and 500 original prints. During the work, Curtis took over 40,000 photographs from over 80 tribes. When completed, 222 sets were published, which not only held photographs; but, also documentation on Native American traditional life, biographical sketches, tribal lore and history, and descriptions of traditional foods, housing, garments, recreation, ceremonies, and funeral customs. In some cases, his documentation is the only recorded history. Edward's goal was to document the way of life before it disappeared, writing in the introduction to his first volume in 1907: "The information that is to be gathered ... respecting the mode of life of one of the great races of mankind, must be collected at once or the opportunity will be lost."

Apache at the ford, 1903

Apache at the ford, 1903

Apache Babe

Apache Babe

Apache Babies

Apache Babies

Apache Basket Work, 1907

Apache Basket Work, 1907

Apache Before the Storm, 1906

Apache Before the Storm, 1906

Apache Dancers, 1906

Apache Dancers, 1906

Apache Desert Rovers, 1903

Apache Desert Rovers, 1903

Apache Getting Water, 1903

Apache Getting Water, 1903

Apache Lost Trail, 1903

Apache Lost Trail, 1903

Apache medicine cap and fetish

Apache medicine cap and fetish

Apache tipis in Arizona, 1907

Apache tipis in Arizona, 1907

Apache Wickiup, 1903

Apache Wickiup, 1903

Apsaroke/Crow - Ready to Charge, 1908

Apsaroke/Crow  - Ready to Charge, 1908

Apsaroke/Crow - Scout, 1908

Apsaroke/Crow  - Scout, 1908

Apsaroke/Crow - Sun Dance Ritual

Apsaroke/Crow  - Sun Dance Ritual

Apsaroke/Crow - At the Rivers Edge, 1908

Apsaroke/Crow - At the Rivers Edge, 1908

Apsaroke/Crow - Bull Chief at the Ford, 1905

Apsaroke/Crow - Bull Chief at the Ford, 1905

Apsaroke/Crow - Hide stretching, 1908

Apsaroke/Crow - Hide stretching, 1908

Apsaroke/Crow - Indians Smoking, 1905

Apsaroke/Crow - Indians Smoking, 1905

Apsaroke/Crow - Men gazing skyward, 1908

Apsaroke/Crow - Men gazing skyward, 1908