Kickapoo Indian Medicine Company, Photographs of Performers, Show Set Up, and More

Lot of 4 photographs related to the Kickapoo Indian Medicine Company, an itinerant purveyor of patent medicines during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Established in the late 1870s, the company peddled “natural” remedies for a host of physical ailments and employed Indian agents to lend an air of authenticity to its claims. The traveling medicine shows featured seemingly reverent testimonials from Indians “translated” by an agent, punctuated by performances by dancers, acrobats, ventriloquists, trained dogs, fire eaters, and more. At the height of its popularity, the Kickapoo Indian Medicine Company had nearly 100 troupes performing across the country.

Photographs include a group portrait, 4.25 x 5 in., featuring five performers in costume, with inscription on verso reading in part, “1891 Party No. 19 / R.W. Tilford manager / though Kansas / Running Elk - White Cloud / Canada / Cogawagona Indians / with Kickapoo Med Co. / Season of 1891 in Kas." Though the company was purportedly endorsed by the Kickapoo Indians from Oklahoma Territory, most of the troupe members came from Iroquois tribes in New York and Quebec. Also with a portrait of R.W. Tilford, the manager of Troup #22, 2.75 x 3.75 in.

Also with a view of the performers’ camp in disarray following a minor tornado, 6.875 x 2.5 in., mounted on board with ink inscription: "Westmoreland Kas. Aug 21 '91. / Eastward View of Kickapoo Indian Med Camp No. 22 / after a young cyclone." As well as cabinet card featuring ten figures arranged on and around a small stage, promoting the evening performance of Kickapoo Troupe #22. The audience seating visible in the foreground suggests the company anticipated robust attendance. Pencil inscription on verso reads in part,"Onaga Kansas Aug. 14th 18[?] / Kickapoo Camp Party / No. 22 R.W. Tilford Mngr." Also lists performers including Chas. E. Brown (ventriloquist), Timmy Adams (comedian), and Sig Molitamo (Fire King), along with a selection of featured Indians from both New York and Canada.

This lot is located in Cincinnati.