Condition Report
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Lot 268
Sale 6425 - American Historical Ephemera and Early Photography, including The Larry Ness Collection of Native American Photography
Part I - Lots 1-222
Oct 23, 2025
10:00AM ET
Part II - Lots 223-376
Oct 24, 2025
10:00AM ET
Live / Cincinnati
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Estimate
$3,000 -
4,000
Price Realized
$3,900
Sold prices are inclusive of Buyer’s Premium
Lot Description
[BELL, Charles M. (1848-1893), photographer]. Albumen photograph of the Ponca Delegation. Washington, DC, 1877.
13 1/2 x 16 3/4 in. albumen photograph on 14 x 18 in. mount, recording the Ponca Delegation to Washington, DC, 14 November 1877, taken by Charles M. Bell.
Pictured back row, left to right: Big Snake. -- John Baptiste Barnaby (interpreter, Otoe/Pawnee). -- White Eagle. -- Charles LeClaire (interpreter, Ponca/French Canadian). -- The Chief. Pictured front row, left to right: Black Crow. -- Big Elk. -- Standing Bear. -- Standing Buffalo Bull. -- White Swan, also known as Frank LaFlesche, Sr. (Ponca/French Canadian). -- Smoke Maker II. Hairy Grizzly Bear is shown reclining on the floor.
Although the commissioner of Indian Affairs refused to authorize the delegation, the Poncas decided to travel to Washington anyway to complain that unwarranted attention was being paid to their Sioux enemies.
Provenance: American Indian Photography Collection of John W. Painter (1929-2008); Cowan's, American History, 15 November 2019, Lot 403.
The Larry Ness Collection of Native American Photography
This lot is located in Cincinnati.

