Edward Sheriff Curtis (1868 - 1952)
The North American Indian, Plates from the Southwest Portfolios, (Folio size with 36 Plates and Octavo size with 75 Plates), c. 1980
leather portfolios with photogravures on archival paper produced by the Classic Gravure Corporation
24 x 20 and 14 x 12 inches (portfolios)
signed in pencil lower right (each gravure): A.P. 3/12

The Classic Gravure Corporation (CGC), Santa Fe, New Mexico was established in the late 1970’s to purchase the original 2220copper plates used to produce "The North American Indian" by Edward Sheriff Curtis. The intent of CGC was to produce a continuation of 228 abridged/edited sets to compliment the original 272 of 500 previously and originally issued. Printed in Santa Fe, New Mexico circa 1980 by master printer Deli Sacilotto who was hired by CGC to print the limited edition. Only the finest materials were used including handmade Italian Fabrianon archival paper, full leather portfolio cases, and fine linen coverings. Curtis’s daughters, Florence Curtis Graybill and Billy Curtis Ingram visited Santa Fe and passionately endorsed the CGC project. The portfolios are the finest Curtis photogravures produced posthumously. CGC was only able to complete 99 Southwest and 20 Plains portfolios in two sizes (folio and octavo) falling far short of the 228 intended portfolios. The portfolios offered here are especially rare and unique in that they are also Artists Proofs with less than twelve produced.

PROVENANCE
Private Collection, Corpus Christi, Texas

The two portfolios are new old stock in their original packaging circa 1980. The leather portfolio cases are in excellent condition with minor scuff marks. There is some minor foxing to individual impressions due to age.