Life of Ma-Ka-Tai-Me-She-Kia-Kiak; or, Black Hawk
Cincinnati: s.i., 1833. Good. Item #25384
Cincinnati: 1833. First Edition. 12mo; publisher's blue cloth, printed paper spine label; xi,[12]-155pp. Textblock recased in binding, cloth a bit soiled and spine label mostly effaced, textblock quite browned and brittle with rather extensive biopredation to extremities though loss never touches text, dampstaining throughout, contemporary ownership signature to title page. A Good copy only of an important contribution in the canon of Native American literature.
The title page continues, "Embracing the tradition of his Nation - Indian wars in which he has been engaged - cause of joining the British in their late war with America, and its history - description of the Rock-River village - manners and customs - encroachments by the whites, contrary to treaty - removal from his village in 1831. With an account of the cause and general history of the late war, his surrender and confinement at Jefferson Barracks, and travels through the United States. Dictated by himself." Indeed, Graf describes this as "one of the very few important American Indian autobiographies." This first edition copyrighted in Illinois much more uncommon than the Boston edition which followed a year later.
HOWES P120; GRAF 313; PILLING 49; SABIN 5675.
Price: $1,250.00