Irving, John T. Jr

Indian Sketches During an Expedition to the Pawnee Tribes. 2 Volumes Complete

Hardcover, Philadelphia: Carey, Lea & Blanchard, 1835. First Edition. Very Good-. John T. Irving Jr. (1812-1906) was a Columbia educated New Yorker, author, and nephew of Washington Irving. In 1833 he and his uncle joined a government trip under charge of Indian Commissioner Ellsworth to the Otoe Pawnee in present day Nebraska. They traveled through Missouri and Kansas to meet the Pawnee in Nebraska.

According to Wagner, the book covers the story of the council at the Pawnee village, the signing of the peace, and tells the tale of the "human sacrifice" that would later become famous. This is the first book to record that Pawnee human sacrifice to the morning star ceremony.

Two volume complete set. Bound in half leather with marbled paper covered boards. Previous owner stamp on full title page of vol 2. Volume 1 lacks a title page, no signs of one being cut or torn out, appears it was printed without one. Title page in vol 2 has errata list on verso. Previous auction labels on front pastedowns of both volumes. Rear pastedown and endpaper have handwritting of previous owner in pencil, can be erased. Both volumes have heavy rubbing to side edges of covers with some loss of paper. Rubbing to top and bottom edges of covers. Corners rubbed. Ships same or next business day well protected in a box. ; 16mo 6" - 7" tall. [Item #78841]

Price: $435.00