Spokane Photographers

Thursday, January 24, 2008 – 11:46 am

Edward S. Curtis

Edward Curtis, a professional photographer from Seattle, worked for 24 years and traveled all over the West, including Alaska and British Columbia, to produce a 20 volume set of photos and ethnological text chronicling the North American Indian.

Working in Seattle, Curtis had favored photographing Native Americans. After receiving praise for his work photographing Indians, Curtis looked to travel the West to broaden his work with his favorite subjects. Using a letter written by one of his fans, President Theodore Roosevelt, Curtis solicited financial support from the wealthy.

When he met with finance and railroad mogul J. Pierpont Morgan the final concept and major funding for his project materialized. The final product was to be published using the best material possible, including handmade paper and leather binding. The cost for one complete set during its initial publishing: $3000.

Though ethnological work has mostly been discounted over the years, Curtis’ The North American Indian was and still is considered to be the most substantial and important photographic works of the mythic Native American culture.

The Spokane Public Library was one of the original subscribers. The complete collection of the North American Indian is part of the Fuller Collection.

~ Northwest Librarian