Preview up to 100 items from this collection below. Photographer Edward S. Curtis devoted two decades to making “The North American Indian,” an early 20th century photography and text project studying Western tribes.
Smith Tower at night, ca. 1928
Transcribed from postcard: "This great building with 600 offices with exterior trim of bronze and interior of steel, finished to resemble highly grained mahogany. Besides possessing every convenience required in the business day, has a Chinese Room adjoining and opening onto the observation balcony. This magnificent room is highly decorated in heavy and finely carved Chinese Teakwood, wrought by native workmen, embellished with myriads of porcelain panels in varying designs, replicas of those in ancient Chinese Temples. No room in America is more gorgeous, visited each day by thousands who are afforded a beautiful vista of Seattle, the bay and lakes and the snow capped mountain ranges, with Mount Rainier and Mount Baker in the distance."
Identifier: spl_pc_00201
Date: 1928?
View this itemPalm Canyon
In 1906, Edward S. Curtis received funding from J.P. Morgan to begin work on "The North American Indian," a twenty volume set of photographs and text documenting Native American tribes throughout the western United States. The fifteenth volume, featuring the Shoshone (including the Luisenos, Cahuilla, Mono and Paviotso), Diequenos, and Washo tribes, was published in 1926.
Identifier: spl_nai_15_518
Date: 1924
View this itemAcoma Water Carriers
In 1906, Edward S. Curtis received funding from J.P. Morgan to begin work on "The North American Indian," a twenty volume set of photographs and text documenting Native American tribes throughout the western United States. The sixteenth volume, featuring the Tiwa and Keres tribes, was published in 1926.
Identifier: spl_nai_16_568
Date: 1904
View this itemA Zuni Girl
In 1906, Edward S. Curtis received funding from J.P. Morgan to begin work on "The North American Indian," a twenty volume set of photographs and text documenting Native American tribes throughout the western United States. The seventeenth volume, featuring the Tewa and Zuni tribes, was published in 1926.
Identifier: spl_nai_17_613
Date: 1903
View this itemOn the Rio Grande - San Ildefonso
In 1906, Edward S. Curtis received funding from J.P. Morgan to begin work on "The North American Indian," a twenty volume set of photographs and text documenting Native American tribes throughout the western United States. The seventeenth volume, featuring the Tewa and Zuni tribes, was published in 1926.
Identifier: spl_nai_17_583
Date: 1905
View this itemAwaiting the Scouts' Return - Atsina
In 1906, Edward S. Curtis received funding from J.P. Morgan to begin work on "The North American Indian," a twenty volume set of photographs and text documenting Native American tribes throughout the western United States. The fifth volume, featuring the Mandan, Arikara and Atsina tribes, was published in 1909.
Identifier: spl_nai_05_181
Date: 1908
View this itemThe Lost Trail - Apache
In 1906, Edward S. Curtis received funding from J.P. Morgan to begin work on "The North American Indian," a twenty volume set of photographs and text documenting Native American tribes throughout the western United States. The first volume, featuring the Navajo, Apache and Jicarilla tribes, was published in 1907.
Identifier: spl_nai_01_019
Date: 1903
View this itemBlack Belly - Cheyenne
In 1906, Edward S. Curtis received funding from J.P. Morgan to begin work on "The North American Indian," a twenty volume set of photographs and text documenting Native American tribes throughout the western United States. The eighteenth volume, featuring the Wichita, Cheyenne, Oto, and Commanche tribes, was published in 1930.
Identifier: spl_nai_19_671
Date: 1927
View this itemQuiet Waters - Yurok
In 1906, Edward S. Curtis received funding from J.P. Morgan to begin work on "The North American Indian," a twenty volume set of photographs and text documenting Native American tribes throughout the western United States. The thirteenth volume, featuring the Hupa, Yuork, Karok, Wiyot, Tolowa, Tututni, Shasta, Achomawi and Klamath tribes, was published in 1924.
Identifier: spl_nai_13_444
Date: 1923
View this itemNorth American Indian Volume 10 Index
In 1906, Edward S. Curtis received funding from J.P. Morgan to begin work on "The North American Indian," a twenty volume set of photographs and text documenting Native American tribes throughout the western United States. The tenth volume, featuring the Kwakiutl tribe, was published in 1915. The index provides more detailed captions for selected images within the portfolio.
Identifier: spl_nai_10_Index
Date: 1915
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