[NATIVE AMERICANS]. A collection of 73 silver gelatin and cyanotype photographs of Southern Plains Indians, several identified or credited to Bureau of Indian Affairs Dr. Ferdinand Shoemaker. Ca 1890s-early 1900s.

73 photographs, ranging in size from 3 1/4 x 5 1/2 in. to 7 x 9 1/4 in. Many photographs include penciled notations to verso, describing and dating the scene (many prints with toning, some with spotting and soiling, many with corner and edge wear).

The collection is highlighted by a series of silver gelatin prints and cyanotypes attributed to Dr. Ferdinand Shoemaker (1873-1945), with at least 15 images accompanied by a modern credit to "Shoemaker" (furnished by the consignor) and/or a period penciled notation, presumably in the hand of Shoemaker.

Ferdinand Shoemaker was a physician with the Bureau of Indian Affairs from about 1905-1920, primarily treating Crow patients. He partnered with Richard Throssel, photographer-at-large for the Indian Service, to prepare a series of educational slides on Indian health, which was used as part of a nationwide federal campaign to fight the spread of tuberculosis and trachoma. Their efforts also helped to promote healthy lifestyles and caution against sharing utensils and pipes. (Information obtained from the McCracken Research Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign website, 10 October 2022.)

Images of note associated with Dr. Shoemaker include: Navajo Hogan, showing Dr. Shoemaker vaccinating Indians at the time of smallpox outbreak (2) -- Views of the Indian School at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, incl. faculty, students, and the grounds, Spring 1897 (5). -- Image of a group of Indians waiting to receive their share of cattle on issue day at Fort Sill, May 1897, showing Quanah Parker at center addressing the group. Verso inscription states, in part, "I saw Quanah today. He is all right." -- View of Indian women drawing rations at the commissary building at Fort Sill, April 1897. -- Outdoor view of "one of the head men" at Fort Sill, identfieid as "George Kiowa." -- Landscape views of Cache Creek and Mt. Scott in Oklahoma.

[With:] 39 silver gelatin photographs taken in New Mexico, each approx. 3 1/4 x 5 1/2 in., most with written notations to verso. While it is possible that these were also produced and/or collected by Dr. Shoemaker, the images are uncredited. Subjects include: Multiple views of Acoma Pueblo, including street scenes and the Harvest Dance in 1911. -- Multiple images of Jemez Pueblo, incl. occupational scenes, street views, and an image of the governor's house. -- Additional exterior and interior views of pueblos and pueblo homes in Acomita, Sia, Santa Clara, and Laguna. -- Image of Nambe Day School.

[Also with:] 16 silver gelatin photographs of various Native American subjects. Notable highlights include: 3 1/2 x 5 1/2 in. print of Geronimo. Colorado Springs, CO: H.W. Wyman, 1904 (mounting traces to verso). -- 4 x 5 1/2 in. cabinet photograph on cardstock mount of Mary Gumbye wearing a beaded dress adorned with elk teeth. Chickasha, Indian Territory: Irwin (toning, some spotting; some surface loss to mount). -- 6 silver gelatin photographs, approx. 5 x 8 1/4 in., or smaller, of Cheyenne and Arapaho women and children (toning, wear and some areas of loss to corners and edges). -- 5 x 7 in. silver gelatin photograph with penciled caption, "Mohave Indians. Colorado River, Arizona (toning, light soiling to print).

Together, 73 photographs, most in good to very good condition with some toning and corner/edge wear to prints. A number of prints include Forrest Fenn's stamp on verso.

The Forrest Fenn Collection