6 vols. Illustrated with 328 (of 329) including lithographed plates, some tinted, some in chromolithography; steel-engraved plates; maps; engraved added titles, etc.; most from drawings by Captain Seth Eastman. Vols. I & VI are 12½x9½; Vols. II-V are 10¼x7¼; all bound in uniform later ¾ gilt-ruled red morocco & cloth, marbled endpapers, t.e.g.
Marvelous compendium of artifacts and customs of the American Indian, although Sabin notes that Field is somewhat critical, calling the six volumes "little more than a magazine, of such matter relating to the Indians as fell into his hand, including a rehash of all that he had written before and printed and numerous other forms...." Notwithstanding this criticism, still significant for the numerous plates of tools, weapons and other artifacts, pictographs, bright chromolithographs, and depictions of various paraphernalia; the many engravings from drawings by Seth Eastman include depictions of Indian life and culture. This is a mixed set, the first and last volumes being in the larger, first edition format, with Vols. II-V in smaller format of the reprint edition, with the title "Information Respecting the History, Condition and Prospects of the Indian Tribes of the United States." This set lacks only the map of the Creek Country in Vol. V, which is supplied in facsimile. Although the plate lists imply that there should be 332 plates, Plates 17 & 36, and 32 & 33 in Vol. V are combined, and Plate 9 in the same volume was not issued. Howes S183; Sabin 77849.
Condition:
Some staining and scuffing to covers, Vol. VI front cover nearly detached; some fairly minor darkening and aging within, very good or better condition.