Lot 2871

Catlin for Currier & Ives - The Buffalo Hunt, Surrounded by the Herd

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Lot 2871
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Catlin for Currier & Ives - The Buffalo Hunt, Surrounded by the Herd
Catlin for Currier & Ives - The Buffalo Hunt, Surrounded by the Herd
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Catlin for Currier & Ives - The Buffalo Hunt, Surrounded by the Herd

Estimate: $2,000 - $4,000

Starting Bid: $800

(0 Bids)
by Trillium Antique Prints & Rare Books
August 8, 2026 9:00 AM CDT
Live Auction
115 Hampsted Lane
Franklin, TN, US 37069

George Catlin’s North American Indian Portfolio features stunning lithographs which capture Native American history. Field describes the lithographs as “beautiful scenes in Indian life [that] are probably the most truthful ever presented to the public.” The full title reads North American Indian Portfolio. Hunting Scenes and Amusements of the Rocky Mountains and Prairies of America. From drawings and notes of the author, made during eight years travel amongst forty-eight of the wildest and most remote tribes of savages in North America.

This folio lithograph was published a from the famous publishers Currier & Ives. It was a New York publishing firm that operated from 1835 to 1907 with this hand-colored lithograph produced in 1858. Currier & Ives are often referred to as “Printmakers to the People.”

George Catlin’s Portfolio marks a noteworthy moment in American history. Catlin traveled extensively chronicling the lives and culture of Indians across America. He created nearly 500 paintings of which some were used to make prints for this momentous work. Catlin described his need to do this work in that “the history and customs of such a people, preserved by pictorial illustrations, are themes worthy of the lifetime of one man, and nothing short of the loss of my life shall prevent me from visiting their country and becoming their historian.” Original images of Native Americans are uncommon from the 19th century, and Catlin’s are among the most detailed and impressive.

Catlin summarized the Native American as "an honest, hospitable, faithful, brave, warlike, cruel, revengeful, relentless, -- yet honourable, contemplative and religious being." In a famous passage from the preface of his North American Indian Portfolio, Catlin describes how the sight of several tribal chiefs in Philadelphia led to his resolution to record their way of life: "the history and customs of such a people, preserved by pictorial illustrations, are themes worthy of the lifetime of one man, and nothing short of the loss of my life shall prevent me from visiting their country and becoming their historian." He saw no future for either their way of life or their very existence, and with these thoughts always at the back of his mind he worked, against time, setting himself a truly punishing schedule, to record what he saw. From 1832 to 1837 he spent the summer months sketching the tribes and then finished his pictures in oils during the winter. The record he left is unique, both in its breadth and also in the sympathetic understanding that his images constantly demonstrate.

  • Dimensions: ~ 23 3/4" by 19"; Image to Ink Line ~ 18 1/4" by 13"
  • Literature: North American Indian Portfolio
  • Medium: Hand-colored Lithograph
  • Circa: 1858
  • Condition: The work is in good to very good condition overall. There may me be a few faint marks, fox marks, or minor imperfections to be expected with age and mostly marginal with the work. Please review the image and contact us with any questions.

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