Name/Title
Letter from Grace Nicholson to Harry GeorgeEntry/Object ID
Q1430.635.44DDescription
Vol II pg. 44D
A introductory letter from Grace Nicholson to Harry George. It is accompanied by 3 pages in which she describes the items she is selling to him. Includes descriptions of baskets (including origins and materials used). Also a photograph of Grace Nicholson's house or curios shop.
[month covered by photograph]y 14th, 1909.
[text covered by photograph] your check of $124.20 in full of account.
Also note what you say about sending the other Baskets. I am expressing same today.
The Nisqually you returned has been sold but I am sending you small berry Basket of the same tribe. The Redwood plaque was also sold and I am sending you my only other specimen a very fine old cup, with handle.
I thought you might be interested in the beaded Pima and in the finely woven beaded Wappo. The little old Zuni olla shaped Basket is a scarce specimen just received from a collection purchased recently. The old Kern Bottlenecks are very scarce. This one came from the McLeod Collection.
I noticed you had no Maidus, therefore I included two small good examples. If none of these interest you they can be returned at my expense. I will allow you on all Baskets selected from this lot 10%.
Very truly yours,
Grace Nicholson
168 – Dwamish – Salishan Family – dwamish River near Seattle–
Foundation split roots of cedar or spruce sewed with squaw grass; design imbricated with cedar and cherry bark.
166 – Snequally – Salish Family – Senqually Riv. Wash.
Used same material but finished Basket differently on edge.
236 – Nisqualli – Salishan Family, Puget Sound– Wash.
Hard weave–
57– Zuni-Zunian Family – Zuni Riv. N.M.
Wicker weave Basket used to collect clay. Made of twigs.
229 – Zuni Olla-Zunian Family,
Warp and weft stems of chrysothamnus laid flat. Border fastened with coiled sewing of yucca. Zuni water tight jars were pitched.
224– Redwood – Trinity Riv. near Bald Hill, Calif. Athapascan Family –
Foundation hazel shoots, twined with squaw grass.
396 – Kern Bottleneck – Shoshonean Family – Kern Vy. Calif.
Foundation – coil bundle of yellow grass stems, sewed with split cladium root. Design of split branches of red bud with bark on gathered after the Fall rains.
884 – Choctaw– (Muskhogean Family – Louisiana–
Material reed cane and root dyes.
#2
771– Maidu-Pujanan Family – Pluman Co. Calif.
Foundation willow splints, coiled with peeled willow –
Design in red bud– Circus-occidentalis.
734 – Madiu-Pujanan Family– Putte Co. Calif.
Material same as 771–
515 – Pima-Piman Family – Ariz.
Foundation cat tail stems (typha Angrestifelia).
Sewed with willow (Salix Nigra) Black material (martyrnia–) Decoration beads.
2003 – Wappo – Yukian Family – Alexander Valley, Calif.
Foundation willow, sewed with Calif. Sedge, and design in beads – Black design inside of root of sedge.
I share with you part of a gift of interesting chain woven by the Maidus. They are very clever workers in basketry.
May 14th, 1909.
168– Dwamish– $7.50
166 – Snoqually – 9.00
57 – Zuni– 6.50
229 – Old Zuni Olla – 4.50
224 – Redwood Cup, 2.50
236 – Nisqualli – 4.50
396 – Old Kern Bottleneck 12.00
884 – Choctaw, 1.00
771 – Plumas Maidu, 5.00
734 – Butte Maidu, 3.00
513 – Beaded Pima, 5.00
2003 – Wappo, 7.50
68.00
6.80
61.20Subject
Grace Nicholson
Pasadena. Cal
Nisqually
Zuni
Choctaw
Beaded Pima
Wappo
Butte Maidu
Maidun-Pujunan family
Putte Co. Calif.Subject Person/Organization
Harry L. George Collection
