20 parts in 3 volumes, large folio (560 x 400 mm). 120 hand-colored lithographed plates, map sheet; 17pp. lithographed subscriber's list at end of vol. III. (Spotting and toning, mostly marginal, some offsetting to plates from text, small dampstain at foot of vol. II title-page.) Contemporary half morocco (rebacked with original gilt spine laid down, vol. I fore-corners repaired, others rubbed); original printed wrappers for all 20 parts numbered 1-19 and part 20 noting "Agents For The Indian Biography", each individually sealed in protective mylar.

FIRST EDITION BOUND FROM THE ORIGINAL PARTS OF “THE GRANDEST COLOR PLATE BOOK ISSUED IN THE UNITED STATES UP TO THE TIME OF ITS PUBLICATION” (Stamped with a National Character). Second printing of Part 1 with the explanation (pp.[3]-4) of the “War Dance of the Sauks and Foxes” authored anonymously. “This text was first published in Part 8 and was to replace the erroneous Atwater text which appeared in the first printing of Part 1” (BAL). The present copy has the following BAL states: Titles: vol. I state A; vol. II state B; vol. III state A. Plates: "War Dance of the Sauks and Foxes" state A; “Red Jacket” state C. “Its long and checkered publication history spanned twelve years and involved multiple lithographers (mainly Peter S. Duval and James T. Bowen) and publishers, but the final product is one of the most distinctive and important books in Americana. Almost all the plates are portraits of individual Native Americans, the majority painted from life by Charles Bird King (who also reworked the less skillful portraits of James Otto Lewis)” (Reese). BAL 6934; Bennett, p.79; Reese, Best of the West 68; Bobins 58; Howes M-129; Reese, Stamped with a National Character 24.