December 2002 Dealer Catalogue Reviews

Characteristically, Reese is true to his word. The catalogue is a cornucopia of intriguing odds and ends, some of which are major pieces with prices to match and others of which are notable pieces with lower prices, perhaps because they are simply not presentation or association material but are nonetheless compelling.

Native Americans (Catalogue 217, William Reese Company). A 233 item long collection of books, pamphlets, broadsides, imprints, photographs and other forms of materials dealing with the Native American in America. An introductory note to the catalogue reads:

“This catalogue is devoted to material related to Native Americans from pre-Columbian times to the late 19th century. Almost all of the entries are new to inventory and have not appeared in previous catalogues.”

This introductory note is atypically brief, perhaps because the material is so powerful that it speaks for itself. The material within the catalogue is arranged alphabetically by author, starting with item number 1, an advertising poster credited to [After Adams, Cassily (American 1843-1921)] entitled Custer’s Last Fight. The Original Painting Has Been Presented to the Seventh Regiment U.S. Cavalry by Anheuser Busch Brewing Association…[1896] and ending with a governmental report catalogued under [Young, Brigham] as author/subject, entitled Accounts of Brigham Young, Superintendent of Indian Affairs in Utah Territory. Letter from the Secretary of the Interior, Transmitting Report of the Investigation of the Acts of Governor Young, Ex Officio Superintendent of Indian Affairs in Utah Territory [1862]. This grouping of Native American related material is rich in regional imprints and its fine writing traces many histories: the history of exploration; the history of colonialism and conquest; the history of Westward expansion; the history of a peoples in rebellion and battle; and various other histories as well.

The four catalogues reviewed above are available from William Reese Company, 409 Temple Street, New Haven, CT, 06511, (203) 789-8081, Email: coreese@reeseco.com. See also inventory listed at www.reeseco.com.

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December 2002 Dealer Catalogue Reviews

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December 2002 Dealer Catalogue Reviews

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