George Catlin and G. H. C. Melody, 1845

GEORGE CATLIN – MELODY, George Henry Curzon (d. 1860) and DEROINE, Jeffrey (1806-1859). Notice sur les Indiens Ioways, et Sur le Nuage Blanc, 1er chef de la Tribu. Paris: Imprimerie de Wittersheim, 1845.
 
First edition of a brochure documenting Catlin's exhibition of Native Americans in Paris, in original printed wrappers. Promoter G. H. C. Melody, working as the Western agent for P.T. Barnum, brought a troupe of Ioway men and women to Europe in conjunction with George Catlin; the Ioway Chief, White Cloud, selected the members of the party. They were accompanied by Jeffrey Deroine, an African American linguist and interpreter who was close with White Cloud. It is unclear who exactly initiated the tour; the Ioways, who knew Catlin from his earlier travels, had been devastated by the Treaty of 1836 and were seeking international recognition of their situation as well as income to repay debts. This publication documents their stop in Paris, where the Ioways performed for and met many French writers and artists, including George Sand and Victor Hugo. Sabin 47467; see George Olson, Ioway Life: Reservation and Reform (2016) and Benita Eisler, "The Red Man's Bones: George Catlin, Artist and Showman (2013).
 
12mo (182 x 122mm). 8 plates and pp. 24 text (light dustsoiling at end). Original printed wrapper (a little chipped).