6270 Este Ave.
Cincinnati , OH 45232
United States
With offices in Cincinnati, Cleveland and Denver, Cowan’s holds over 40 auctions each year, with annual sales exceeding $16M. We reach buyers around the globe, and take pride in our reputation for integrity, customer service and great results. A full-service house, Cowan’s Auctions specializes in Am...Read more
Two ways to bid:
Price | Bid Increment |
---|---|
$0 | $25 |
$500 | $50 |
$1,000 | $100 |
$2,000 | $250 |
$5,000 | $500 |
$10,000 | $1,000 |
$20,000 | $2,500 |
$50,000 | $5,000 |
$100,000 | $10,000 |
Jun 13, 2014 - Jun 14, 2014
Alexander Gardner. Fort Laramie Treaty. 1868. 32 albumen stereoviews. Images of Native Americans from the Arapaho, Northern Cheyenne, Crow, and the Brule, Oglala and Miniconjou Dakota, each at Fort Laramie. On verso of each card, inked manuscript number and title in Gardner's hand. This set is exceptional in its clarity and importance.
The Treaty of Fort Laramie was signed in 1868, and guaranteed the Lakota ownership of the Black Hills in Wyoming Territory. The purpose of the negotiations was to end Indian hostilities between white settlers and miners traveling the Bozeman Trail in parts of Wyoming and Montana. Gardner witnessed and documented the event. Working for the US Government Peace Commission, he was the only photographer present. Gardner, missing the actual signing of the treaty, focused on the people and the following events.
On May 10, he photographed the negotiations between the Cheyenne and Arapaho, including Man Afraid of His Horses smoking pipe - according to some historians, the only known image of this important ritual (see Fleming 1991: 102-103). Fleming notes that of the 200 negatives produced of the treaty negotiations, about 100 were stereoscopic, and of these, 54 were of Native American subjects. Considered in this context, the collection offered here is remarkable. Twenty-five of the images are of various scenes depicting Native Americans, including four images of the council tipi of Man Afraid of His Horses. The famous published image showing him smoking the pipe is present (labeled No. 88 1/2), along with another image apparently taken immediately beforehand (No. 88). Fleming states, "The image of Man Afraid of His Horses is, as far as I know (and haven't had any other viable candidate in all my years of research and working with Native American photography) the ONLY known photo of the ritual smoking of a peace pipe among the Native Americans in the 19th century."
Eight views show Crow attendees, including one of a mounted chief. Cheyenne and Arapaho images include a full-standing view of Little Wolf, one of the principle chiefs of the Northern Cheyenne, and a signatory to the treaty; there are several images of Indian guides and interpreters as well as the Peace Commissioners, including one showing William Tecumseh Sherman treating with Indians.
The negatives for these images were exposed between late April and early May 1868, at Fort Laramie, WY. Gardner, working in a volunteer capacity for a US Government Peace Commission, was the only photographer on the scene to record the events of this important treaty between Washington and representatives of the Arapaho, Northern Cheyenne, Crow, and the Brule, Oglala and Miniconjou Dakota.
SHIPPING. At the request of the buyer, Cowan's will authorize the shipment of purchased items. Shipments usually occur within two weeks after payment has been received. Shipment is generally made via UPS Ground service. Unless buyer gives special instructions, the shipping method shall be at the sole discretion of Cowan's Auctions, Inc.. Cowan's is in no way responsible for the acts or omissions of independent handlers, packers or shippers of purchased items or for any loss, damage or delay from the packing or shipping of any property.