Printed Books & Early American Photography, including Selections from the Larry Ness Collection

6 silver gelatin photographs, five of which are unmarked but believed to have been taken by Joseph Kossuth Dixon. The prints, most of which lack identification, measure approx. 8 1/2 x 6 1/2 in. Prints in overall very good condition, with some toning, light soiling, and edge and corner wear including some chipping.

Subjects include: White Man Runs Him, Crow scout with George Custer's 1876 expedition against the Sioux and Cheyenne. -- Edward Wolf Lies Down. -- Chief Medicine Crow (crease/partial separation near top right corner). -- Crow Indian with penciled caption on verso, "The Bread."

Joseph K. Dixon (1856-1926) was the official photographer for the Wannamaker Expedition to Montana in 1908-1909. Wannamaker, heir to the Philadelphia department store dynasty, financed these visits to publicize American Indian history and to give impetus to a national campaign to make Indians American citizens. Dixon was both the expedition leader and photographer.

Also enclosed is a 8 x 5 7/8 in. print of Little Wolf, Cheyenne, unmarked but originally taken by Richard Throssel. Chipping to top right and left edges of margins.

Richard Throssel (1882-1933) was born in Marengo, Washington of French-Canadian and Cree Indian descent. He moved to the Crow reservation in 1902 for the drier climate, and in 1905 was adopted by the tribe and given the name "Esh Quon Dupahs" or "Kills Inside the Camp." He became interested in photography and learned his trade through correspondence schools. In 1905 he met and was briefly instructed by Edward S. Curtis. His closeness with tribal members provided extraordinary opportunity, and with his camera, Throssel covered many aspects of Crow life. (See Albright, 1997.)

Together, 6 photographs.

Provenance: Cowan's, Historic Americana, 24 May 2001, Lots 548, 551 (partial).