Full plate, colorized albumen photograph of Cherokee Chief John Ross, enlarged from the carte-de-visite (CDV) photograph affixed beneath the vignette bust view. An attractive collage enhanced by the period inscriptions, written in Cherokee: “Chief Ross of the Cherokee Nation, May 25th, 1866, my picture taken where the Presidents are” and below: “1866, they have taken my picture June 3rd.” The portraits’ mount bears the imprint “Addis Gallery, 308 Penn Av., Washington D.C., P.B. Marvin, Photographer.”

This portrait of Chief John Ross, taken shortly before his death in 1866, was widely reproduced in lithographic form. Ostensibly owned by Ross himself (“my pictures taken where the Presidents are”), it is believed the inscriptions were dictated, as he is not known to have written in Cherokee syllabary.

Important photograph of a significant figure known as the “moses” of his people for leading the Cherokee through the Trail of Tears. This piece surfaced with a previously unknown ambrotype photograph of Chief John Ross in 2017, leaving little doubt it was Ross’ personal copy.

Chief John Ross (1790-1866) served as the principal chief of the Cherokee Nation from 1828 until his death in 1866, playing a crucial role in defending Cherokee rights and sovereignty. He tirelessly advocated for the Cherokee Nation, particularly during the tumultuous period marked by forced removal. Despite his efforts, the Indian Removal Act of 1830 led to the tragic displacement of the Cherokee from their ancestral lands, resulting in immense suffering and loss of life. Ross, himself of mixed Cherokee and Scottish heritage, was eventually compelled to lead his people on the arduous journey known as the Trail of Tears to Indian Territory, present-day Oklahoma. Despite the hardships endured, Ross remained committed to protecting Cherokee rights and cultural preservation. Ross's unwavering dedication to Cherokee sovereignty earned him the reputation of a skilled diplomat and a respected leader. Despite the devastating impact of forced removal, his efforts to protect Cherokee interests and identity continue to resonate in Cherokee and Native American history.




[Daguerreotype, Ambrotype, Tintype, CDV, Albumen, carte-de-visite, Salt print, Cabinet Card][Union, Confederate] [Native Americans, First Nations, Western Expansion, Early Photography, Cabinet Card, Missionaries] [Andrew Jackson]