March 19, 2012 at 9:14 am

Portraits of Native Americans from the Early 1900s

by twistedsifter

 

 

The Edward S. Curtis Collection offers a unique glimpse into Curtis’s work with indigenous cultures. The more than 2,400 silver-gelatin photographic prints were acquired by the Library of Congress through copyright deposit from about 1900 through 1930. About two-thirds (1,608) of these images were not published in Curtis’s multi-volume work, The North American Indian. The collection includes a large number of individual or group portraits, as well as traditional and ceremonial dress, dwellings and other structures, agriculture, arts and crafts, rites and ceremonies, dances, games, food preparation, transportation, and scenery.

Below is a small collection of portraits from this fascinating collection. To see the entire series, be sure to visit the Library of Congress site with the entire 1,069-photo collection available for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy!

 

 

1. White Shield – Arikara – c1908

 

native american portraits by edward s curtis early 1900s 1 Portraits of Native Americans from the Early 1900s

 

 

2. Si Wa Wata Wa – Zuni – c1903

 

native american portraits by edward s curtis early 1900s 2 Portraits of Native Americans from the Early 1900s

 

 

3. White deerskin dance costume – Hupa – c1923

 

native american portraits by edward s curtis early 1900s 26 Portraits of Native Americans from the Early 1900s

 

 

4. Yellow Kidney – Piegan – c1910

 

native american portraits by edward s curtis early 1900s 23 Portraits of Native Americans from the Early 1900s

 

 

5. Many Goat’s son – Navajo – c1904

 

native american portraits by edward s curtis early 1900s 25 Portraits of Native Americans from the Early 1900s

 

 

6. Weasel Tail – Piegan – c1900

 

native american portraits by edward s curtis early 1900s 12 Portraits of Native Americans from the Early 1900s

 

 

7. An Acoma woman – Acoma – c1905

 

native american portraits by edward s curtis early 1900s 11 Portraits of Native Americans from the Early 1900s

 

 

8. Running Rabbit – c1900

 

native american portraits by edward s curtis early 1900s 9 Portraits of Native Americans from the Early 1900s

 

 

9. Nez Percé Man – Nez Percé – c1910

 

native american portraits by edward s curtis early 1900s 30 Portraits of Native Americans from the Early 1900s

 

 

10. Head Carry – c1900

 

native american portraits by edward s curtis early 1900s 4 Portraits of Native Americans from the Early 1900s

 

 

11. Lucille – Dakota – c1907

 

native american portraits by edward s curtis early 1900s 16 Portraits of Native Americans from the Early 1900s

 

 

12. A Tluwulahu mask – Tsawatenok – c1914

 

native american portraits by edward s curtis early 1900s 20 Portraits of Native Americans from the Early 1900s

 

 

13. Two Whistles – Apsaroke – c1908

 

native american portraits by edward s curtis early 1900s 18 Portraits of Native Americans from the Early 1900s

 

 

14. Wishham bride – Tlakluit – c1910

 

native american portraits by edward s curtis early 1900s 27 Portraits of Native Americans from the Early 1900s

 

 

15. Tah It Way – c1905

 

native american portraits by edward s curtis early 1900s 7 Portraits of Native Americans from the Early 1900s

 

 

16. Iron Breast – Piegan – c1900

 

native american portraits by edward s curtis early 1900s 10 Portraits of Native Americans from the Early 1900s

 

 

17. Bull Chief – Apsaroke – c1908

 

native american portraits by edward s curtis early 1900s 17 Portraits of Native Americans from the Early 1900s

 

 

18. Wishham young woman – Tlakluit – c1910

 

native american portraits by edward s curtis early 1900s 28 Portraits of Native Americans from the Early 1900s

 

 

19. Pah Toi – Taos – c1905

 

native american portraits by edward s curtis early 1900s 3 Portraits of Native Americans from the Early 1900s

 

 

20. We-Ton – c1900

 

native american portraits by edward s curtis early 1900s 5 Portraits of Native Americans from the Early 1900s

 

 

21. Ben Long Ear – c1905

 

native american portraits by edward s curtis early 1900s 6 Portraits of Native Americans from the Early 1900s

 

 

22. Maskette – Nunivak – c1929

 

native american portraits by edward s curtis early 1900s 21 Portraits of Native Americans from the Early 1900s

 

 

23. Young Hairy Wolf – Apsaroke – c1905

 

native american portraits by edward s curtis early 1900s 8 Portraits of Native Americans from the Early 1900s

 

 

24. Wisham girl – c1910

 

native american portraits by edward s curtis early 1900s 22 Portraits of Native Americans from the Early 1900s

 

 

25. Black Hair – c1905

 

native american portraits by edward s curtis early 1900s 13 Portraits of Native Americans from the Early 1900s

 

 

26. One Blue Bead – Crow – c1908

 

native american portraits by edward s curtis early 1900s 15 Portraits of Native Americans from the Early 1900s

 

 

27. Three Horses – c1905

 

native american portraits by edward s curtis early 1900s 14 Portraits of Native Americans from the Early 1900s

 

 

28. Lies Sideway – Crow – c1908

 

native american portraits by edward s curtis early 1900s 29 Portraits of Native Americans from the Early 1900s

 

 

29. Mosa – Mohave – c1903

 

native american portraits by edward s curtis early 1900s 24 Portraits of Native Americans from the Early 1900s

 

 

30. Chief Joesph – Nez Percé – c1903

 

native american portraits by edward s curtis early 1900s 19 Portraits of Native Americans from the Early 1900s

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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vintage mugshots black and white 17 Portraits of Native Americans from the Early 1900s

 

 

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