Edward Sheriff Curtis (American, 1868–1952)

LOT ID: 64871

The Three Chiefs - Piegan, 1900

Other, Gold-toned Printing-Out-Paper print

12.88 х 16.5 in. cm.

Lot description

Artist: Edward S. Curtis
Title: The Three Chiefs - Piegan
Negative Date: 1900
Print Date: c.1900
Medium: Gold toned Printing-Out-Paper photograph
Markings: In negative at lower left, "Curtis copyright 1900 52"
Print Size: 12.88" x 16.5": (32.7cm x 42cm)

The gallery retail for this photograph is: $135,000
Auction Estimate: $100,000 - $120,000

This is historically the single most important of Curtis’ 40-50,000 photographic images. The photograph was made in the summer of 1900 and is the key image from that critical, watershed experience in Curtis’ life. It was made during a short field trip to Montana with noted ethnographer George Bird Grinnell where Curtis first encountered Native Americans whose culture was still largely intact. They also openly shared their religion, mythology, and personal lives with Curtis. This brief experience ignited Cutis’ passion to preserve a comprehensive record of Native American life. This two-week experience inalterably changed Curtis, and his life was never the same. It is said that in making this image of three Great Plains tribal leaders in their traditional garb, that Curtis spent three days looking for the perfect combination of riders, sky, and prairie. This print is an extremely rare, gold-toned printing out paper print. Of Curtis’ extant vintage prints, it is estimated only about 1 in 10,000 exist in the extremely rare form, printed only during a brief two to three year period at the turn of the last century.
The foreground and riders show a richness and detail that is absolutely unrivaled in Curtis’ oeuvre. This specific print is illustrated in the major Curtis monograph: Sacred Legacy; Edward S. Curtis and The North American Indian. It was also a centerpiece in the groundbreaking exhibitions of the same name shown in Paris, Switzerland, Germany, the Netherlands and Italy.
In all, this is one of the most important Curtis photographs to be offered at auction in the past thirty years.

This vintage photograph is from the personal collection of Christopher Cardozo (“The Christopher G. Cardozo/Edward S. Curtis Collection”)

This vintage gold-toned printing-out-paper print is in very good to excellent overall condition.
It is mounted on contemporary board, which appears to be archival. There are a number of imperfections, not effecting the overall print: some minor emulsion flaking at print edges; emulsion loss (2" x 0.06") at the left print margin, which has been inpainted; historic graphite markings at print margins, visible only upon close inspection; areas of minor cockling (waviness) where the print has released from the backing, visible only upon close inspection; scattered areas of historic, minor re-touching, visible only upon close inspection; silvering at the lower print corner shadows, typical of vintage silver prints of this era; two minor scuffs, upper left portion of the print, visible only upon close inspection; and small area of emulsion loss at the lower right margin, which has been retouched. Overall print quality very good to excellent and the original signature, in the negative, remains strong and crisp. This print has an extremely prestigious exhibition and publication history. Please see Provenance section for details.

Edward Curtis is the most widely collected fine art photography in the history of the medium, and his work is found in major public and private collections internationally. He has also become the most widely exhibited. His work has moved viewers on every continent but Antarctica. He created an unprecedented body of work, which has won awards and accolades internationally. While the project nearly drove him into bankruptcy and cost him his health and family, today the aggregate value of the photographs he created exceeds one half of a billion dollars. Please see biography link above for further details.

Literature and Catalogue Raisoneé
Literature and Catalogue Raisoneé
Publication:

The North American Indian (Portfolio VI Plate 209) Sacred Legacy: Edward S. Curtis and the North American Indian, P.30 Native Nations, P.33 The Great Warriors, P.90
Condition Report
Condition Report

The seller has recorded the following condition for this lot:

Description:	Inpainting, Instaining
Date
Date
Location:	Other location
Location:
Area:	Image
Degree:	Minor
Notes:	Please see Seller's Description section for condition notes.


Date
Date
Location:
Location:
Area:
Degree:
Notes:
Further information details

Definition Key

History and Provenance
History and Provenance
Provenance:
Christopher Cardozo (“The Christopher G. Cardozo/Edward S. Curtis Collection”)

Exhibition:
This print was included in a major groundbreaking, one person Curtis exhibition that toured Paris, Cologne, Switzerland, Italy, and the Netherlands between 2000 and 2004.

Another print of this image was included in a major Curtis exhibition that toured Spain, Germany, Denmark, and Sweden between 2001 and 2007.

Other prints of this image have been exhibited internationally in one person Curtis exhibitions. These exhibitions have traveled to over forty countries and every continent but Antarctica during the past decade.
Shipping Information
Shipping Information
Shipping Carrier:
UPS

Shipping Weight: 10 lbs

Framing: No

Item Location: Minnesota, USA

Shipping Options:
Shipping weight is approximate, buyer pays for shipping, handling, insurance and VAT/import duties.
Payment and Return Policies
Payment and Return Policies
Accepted:
PayPal

Sales Tax: Minnesota

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Christopher Sweet

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Lot ID

64871

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Edward Sheriff Curtis

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The Three Chiefs - Piegan

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Margin Area	Edge, border, or perimeter areas
Image Area	Central image, focal point of the item/image.

Minor	Existing condition generally does not involve risk of loss
Moderate	Noticeable, increasing in severity and/or size; not serious, but should be monitored or corrected by a conservator
Major	Distinct, recognizable damage; stability of the work is questionable; risk is a factor; requires the attention of a conservator
Extreme	Advanced and severe damage; work is insecure and at great risk

Edward Sheriff Curtis (American, 1868–1952)

LOT ID: 64871

The Three Chiefs - Piegan, 1900

CONFIRMATION

Christopher Sweet

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