GURSNEY & ILLINGWORTH, photographers. Spotted Tail, the Noted Indian Chief, and his Party. Sioux City, Iowa, [ca June 1870].

6 1/8 x 7 5/8 in. albumen photograph on 9 3/4 x 11 3/4 in. cardstock mount with title, names of the featured subjects, and imprint of "Gurnsey & Illingworth, Sioux City, Iowa," printed in the lower margin.

The studio portrait includes the following subjects (from left to right, as identified on the mount): [Front row, seated] Fast Bear, Warrior. -- Spotted Tail, Head Chief. -- Swift Bear, Chief. -- Yellow Hair, Warrior; [Back row, standing] Chas. Gueru, Interpreter. -- Capt. D.C. Poole, U.S.A.

While working as a civilian photographer in Sioux City, Iowa, Byron H. Gurnsey had various opportunities to photograph Lakota delegations traveling to and from meetings with the president in Washington, DC. In June 1870, the Sioux City Journal documents the arrival of the Brule delegation led by Spotted Tail, "Gurnsey and Illingworth, photographers on Third Street, last Saturday procured some very fine negatives of Spotted Tail and his party" (Sioux City Journal, 22 June 1870). (Information obtained from State Historical Society of North Dakota website.)

The Larry Ness Collection of Native American Photography

This lot is located in Cincinnati.

Even toning to print. Light pucker to left and right edges where photo is coming loose from mount. Print with small separation to left edge. Mount with some staining and chipping to margins.

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Katie Horstman

VP, Head of Department, American Historical Ephemera and Early Photography

[email protected]513.666.4958

Ms. Horstman has spent over a decade specializing in historic photography and Americana at auction. During her tenure, she has overseen several notable single owner auctions, including property from the inventory of celebrated Americana and antique arms expert Norm Flayderman. During her time with the firm, she has maintained an active membership in the Daguerreian Society. Ms. Horstman holds an MA in Art History from the University of Cincinnati and a BA in Art History from The Ohio State University.

American Historical Ephemera and Early Photography, including The Larry Ness Collection of Native American Photography

GURSNEY & ILLINGWORTH, photographers. Spotted Tail, the Noted Indian Chief, and his Party. Sioux City, Iowa, [ca June 1870].

American Historical Ephemera and Early Photography, including The Larry Ness Collection of Native American Photography

GURSNEY & ILLINGWORTH, photographers. Spotted Tail, the Noted Indian Chief, and his Party. Sioux City, Iowa, [ca June 1870].

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