Native American - Rinehart

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F.A. Rinehart

In 1898, and in occasion of the Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition, James Mooney of the U.S. Bureau of Ethnology commissioned Omaha native Frank A. Rinehart to photograph the event and the Native American personalities. More than five hundred American Indians from thirty-five tribes attended the exposition in Omaha. Together with his assistant Adolph Muhr (who would later be employed by the famous photographer Edward S. Curtis), they produced what is now considered "one of the best photographic documentations of Indian leaders at the turn of the century".
Rinehart and Muhr photographed American Indians in a studio on the Exposition grounds with an 8 x 10 glass-negative; platinum prints were produced to achieve the broad range of tonal values that medium afforded. After the Omaha Congress, Rinehart and Muhr traveled the Indian reservations for two years, portraying Native American leaders who had not attended the event, as well as depicting general aspects of the indigenous everyday life and culture.

The following lots are all platinum print photographs, 9 1/4" x 7 1/4". All had been glued in an album at one time, the remnants of the album page is adhered to the top and bottom edges (1-2 inches). There is also tell tale signs of tape having been affixed along the left and right sides. Some of the edge tears had been repaired with linen tape by the previous owner . The paper is a somewhat brittle. Other condition issues are noted within descriptions. 

 

rh012.jpg (91886 bytes) LITTLE CHIEF. Copyright 1898, F. A Rinehart imprinted in negative. Also imprinted "Little Chief, Arapahoe". Handsome portrait, along with the condition issues as noted above, small piece of tape affixed to front of image along rt edge, b/r tip has been broken but present, overall VG-F condition, (Rh.12); $SOLD.

rh011.jpg (91518 bytes)HUBBLE BIG HORSE. Copyright 1898, F. A Rinehart imprinted in negative. Also imprinted "Hubble Big Horse- Cheyenne". Strong portrait,  along with the condition issues as noted above, line of discoloration along top left side, light soiling, and age toning of paper, a couple of spots of minor edge chipping,  overall VG condition, (Rh.11); $575.

rh010.jpg (100135 bytes)FRECKLE FACE. Copyright 1898, F. A Rinehart imprinted in negative. Also imprinted "Freckle Face, Arapahoe".  Exhibits good contrast and tonality, along with the condition issues as noted above, b/l corner missing, two minor edge tears right side. Overall VG+ condition, (Rh.10); $475.

rh013.jpg (93773 bytes)THUNDER CLOUD. Copyright 1898, F. A Rinehart imprinted in negative. Also imprinted "Thunder Cloud- Blackfeet-" . Good portrait,  along with the condition issues as noted above, has small spots of white areas along rt side, a 7/8" x 1 1/2" triangular shaped area missing b/r corner, chipping to corners, overall G condition, (Rh.13); $450.

rh004.jpg (80949 bytes) MRS. JOSEPH STREET WINNEBAGO. Copyright 1898, F. A Rinehart imprinted in negative. Also imprinted "Mrs. Joseph Street Winnebago".  A handsome platinum photograph, with strong contrast and rich tonality. Exhibits condition issues as noted above. Overall VG+ condition, (Rh.04); $400.

rh016.jpg (166784 bytes)CHIEF WOLF ROBE. Copyright 1898, F. A Rinehart imprinted in negative. Also imprinted "Cheyenne". One of my personal favorites, beautiful portrait, exhibiting strong clarity and contrast. Condition issues as noted in the introduction, along with t/r corner missing ,repaired horizontal tear along bottom area (archival linen tape on back), a few small edge chipping along left side, o/w VG overall condition, (Rh.16); $1000.

rh009.jpg (94480 bytes)EAGLE ELK. Copyright 1898, F. A Rinehart imprinted in negative. Also imprinted "Eagle Elk- Sioux". Along with the condition issues as noted above, image is still affixed to backing paper in the corners. A few small edge tears, chipping in b/l corner, otherwise VG (Rh.09); $675.

rh002.jpg (90583 bytes)JOHN WILLIAMS. Copyright 1898, F. A Rinehart imprinted in negative. Also imprinted "John Williams, Tonkawa". Along with the condition issues as noted above, has several small areas in background in which the surface has been damaged (silverfish?), also light chipping along left edge,  line of discoloration along rt edge. Despite the  flaws, displays well,  overall G condition, (Rh.02); $375.

rh005.jpg (95578 bytes)KIOWA WOMEN. Copyright 1898, F. A Rinehart imprinted in negative. Also imprinted "Kiowa" . Good portrait,  along with the condition issues as noted above, has moderate size piece missing t/r edge, a few minor edge tears, overall G condition, (Rh.05); $450.

rh007.jpg (93528 bytes)AFRAID OF EAGLE. Copyright 1898, F. A Rinehart imprinted in negative. Also imprinted "Sioux". Strong tonality and contrast, , with the condition issues as noted in the introduction, along with very small pc missing left edge, repaired tears on top in background, VG overall condition, (Rh.07); $675.

rh006.jpg (165860 bytes)ANNIE EAGLE ELK. Copyright 1898, F. A Rinehart imprinted in negative. Also imprinted "Sioux". Handsome portrait, with the condition issues as noted in the introduction, discoloration along top border, a few close tears, , VG-F overall condition, (Rh.06); $550.

rh021.jpg (180358 bytes)POOR DOG. Copyright 1898, F. A Rinehart imprinted in negative. Also imprinted "Poor Dog, Sioux". Along with the condition issues as noted above, t/r corner repair, small horizontal crease along bottom. Very handsome image, overall exhibits strong tonality contrast and clarity. (Rh.21); $850.

rh017.jpg (182543 bytes)BLACK MAN. Copyright 1898, F. A Rinehart imprinted in negative. Also imprinted "Arapohoes". Of special note is that he is wearing a Ghost Dance shirt. Exhibits strong contrast and clarity. With the condition issues as noted in the introduction, a few small close edge tears, small inpainting b/l corner, o/w VG-F overall condition (Rh.17); $1400.

rh015.jpg (176536 bytes)SLEEPING BEAR. Copyright 1898, F. A Rinehart imprinted in negative. Also imprinted "Sioux". Exhibits strong contrast and clarity. With the condition issues as noted in the introduction, a few small close edge tears, VG-F overall condition, (Rh.15); $800.

rh020.jpg (153647 bytes)TURNING EAGLE. Copyright 1898, F. A Rinehart imprinted in negative. Also imprinted "Turning Eagle (Sioux)". Along with the condition issues as noted above, t/l corner repair, small horizontal crease along bottom (w/ linen tape on back), b/r corner broken, otherwise VG (Rh.20); $675.

 

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