Name/Title
Curtis' Western IndiansEntry/Object ID
2010.75.1Description
"In 1900, the American Indian was the country's great race problem. The Eastern tribes had disappeared and the Western ones were going. The Indian baffled the white man as he incited his curiousity. He had been conquered and was expected to take on the ways of the master race. he was romanticized and libelled...called "The Noble Savage" by one, "dirty and treacherous" by another.
"Pioneers imitated his way of life, wore his deerskins, hunted as he did; and boys played "Indian" in the back yards. Words like tomahawk, warpath, paleface and Happy Hunting Ground crept into the language. The profile of the brave appeared on coins, and busts of chiefs appeared as sculpture. And having made his free use of the Indian's life, the white man told him to live with white ways. The Indian, a bronze enigma in all the commotion, only wrapped his blanket tighter and walked away into the shadows.
"Into this situation, Edward S. Curtis thrust the steady eye of the camera. He saw the Indian gaining nothing from the white man but disease and vice, as a race vanishing rapidly from the face of the earth. And there was something he could do about it--live with the Inidan as brother-man, make complete and truthful camera impressions supported by word records of myths, legends, language and music before the last crest of eagle feathers disappeared into dark arroyo. This is the fascinating story of that thirty-year effort. " 1962
NOTE: The index is extensive; entries herein are those associated with the Napa area.
176 pagesCollection
BooksAcquisition
Accession
2010.75Source or Donor
Library of Edward J. GhidellaAcquisition Method
GiftCredit Line
Given in memory of Edward J. Ghidella
In Memory of: Edward J. GhidellaLexicon
Nomenclature 4.0
Nomenclature Primary Object Term
BookNomenclature Sub-Class
Other DocumentsNomenclature Class
Documentary ObjectsNomenclature Category
Category 08: Communication ObjectsLOC Thesaurus for Graphic Materials
Photography, Photographs, PhotographersSearch Terms
Curtis, Edward, American Indians, North American Indians, Wappo Indians, Yuki Indians, Yukian, Photography, Photographs, PhotographersBook Details
Author
Ralph W. AndrewsDate Published
1962Call No.
970.978 AndNotes
Spine Label: 970.978
AndRelationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
Curtis, EdwardCreate Date
August 5, 2010Update Date
July 9, 2026