Edward S. Curtis Digital Collection
Preview up to 100 items from this collection below. Photographer Edward S. Curtis devoted two decades to making “The North American Indian,” an early 20th century photography and text project studying Western tribes.
-
Letter from Edward S. Curtis to Harriet Leitch, February 2, 1949
Letter from Edward Curtis to Harriet Leitch and Minnie Harris (of the Washington State Historical Society). Curtis discusses the importance of The North American Indian for posterity and describes the long hours that he put into the work. He reflects on his childhood and how his father's illness caused him to begin working at an early age. He writes "As I look back over my scrambled life I realize that I have rarely taken a Sunday off and but one week vacation, its safe to say that in the past sixty years I have averaged sixteen hours a day, seven days a week." In a postscript, he adds that his health has taken a turn for the worse and doctors want him to return to the hospital--an idea which he resists.
Identifier: {}
Date: 1949-02-02
View this item -
San Ildefonso Pottery
In 1906, Edward S. Curtis received funding from J.P. Morgan to begin work on "The North American Indian," a twenty volume set of photographs and text documenting Native American tribes throughout the western United States. The seventeenth volume, featuring the Tewa and Zuni tribes, was published in 1926.
Identifier: spl_nai_17_587
Date: 1925
View this item -
The Town Crier, v.7, no.22, Jun. 1, 1912
Page 1 features portrait of Elinore Pearl Sayre, daughter of James Willis Sayre.
Identifier: spl_tc_915126_1912_07_22
Date: 1912-06-01
View this item -
Crane operator at Space Needle construction site, ca. July 1961
Identifier: spl_gg_68820028
Date: 1961-07
View this item -
Piopio-Maksmaks - Wallawalla
In 1906, Edward S. Curtis received funding from J.P. Morgan to begin work on "The North American Indian," a twenty volume set of photographs and text documenting Native American tribes throughout the western United States. The eighth volume, featuring the Nez Perce, Walla Walla, Umatilla, Cayuse, Tlakluit (or Wishham) and Chinook tribes, was published in 1911.
Identifier: spl_nai_08_267
Date: 1905
View this item -
A Wichita
In 1906, Edward S. Curtis received funding from J.P. Morgan to begin work on "The North American Indian," a twenty volume set of photographs and text documenting Native American tribes throughout the western United States. The eighteenth volume, featuring the Wichita, Cheyenne, Oto, and Commanche tribes, was published in 1930.
Identifier: spl_nai_19_653
Date: 1927
View this item -
Lone Chief - Oto
In 1906, Edward S. Curtis received funding from J.P. Morgan to begin work on "The North American Indian," a twenty volume set of photographs and text documenting Native American tribes throughout the western United States. The eighteenth volume, featuring the Wichita, Cheyenne, Oto, and Commanche tribes, was published in 1930.
Identifier: spl_nai_19_676
Date: 1927
View this item -
A Smoky Day at the Sugar Bowl - Hupa
In 1906, Edward S. Curtis received funding from J.P. Morgan to begin work on "The North American Indian," a twenty volume set of photographs and text documenting Native American tribes throughout the western United States. The thirteenth volume, featuring the Hupa, Yuork, Karok, Wiyot, Tolowa, Tututni, Shasta, Achomawi and Klamath tribes, was published in 1924.
Identifier: spl_nai_13_471
Date: 1923
View this item -
A Feast Day at Acoma
In 1906, Edward S. Curtis received funding from J.P. Morgan to begin work on "The North American Indian," a twenty volume set of photographs and text documenting Native American tribes throughout the western United States. The sixteenth volume, featuring the Tiwa and Keres tribes, was published in 1926.
Identifier: spl_nai_16_565
Date: 1904
View this item -
Wakonda - Oto
In 1906, Edward S. Curtis received funding from J.P. Morgan to begin work on "The North American Indian," a twenty volume set of photographs and text documenting Native American tribes throughout the western United States. The eighteenth volume, featuring the Wichita, Cheyenne, Oto, and Commanche tribes, was published in 1930.
Identifier: spl_nai_19_677
Date: 1927
View this item