A Complete Set of Curtis Studio North American Indian Postcards. [Seattle, WA]: E. S. Curtis, 1904. The complete set of postcards comprising: Apache -- Apache Girl -- Apaches -- Blackfoot Encampment -- Chef Joseph, Nez Perce -- Clam Diggers, Princess Angeline -- Crow Eagle, Blackfoot -- Hopi Girl -- Hopi Products -- Leschi, A Yakima -- Mohave Girl -- Navaho Boy -- Red Thunder, Nez Perce -- Siwash Maid -- A Yakima -- Yakima Girls -- Zuni -- Zuni Girl -- Zuni Maid -- Zuni Water Carriers Provenance: From the Collection of Dr. Billy T. Utley. ONE OF THE EARLIEST COMMERICAL USES OF CURTIS'S ETHNOGRAPHIC PHOTOGRAPHY. By 1903 and 1904, Edward Curtis formulated his plan for a photographic project that would become his landmark The North American Indian. In 1904, he discussed his plans at the Smithsonian Institution's Bureau of American Ethnology, and promoted the work to Theodore Roosevelt who supported the project. 'The years 1904-05 were watershed times in the development of what would become Curtis's life-long project' (Greyhavens, 'Duty-Bound to Finish,' p.5). Prior to securing the patronage of J.P. Morgan for his project in 1906, Curtis self-funded his fieldwork, which was expensive, through sales of mass-market items such as these postcards, produced by his Seattle studio to generate steady revenue. Lot to be sold without reserve. This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: ¤ ¤ Unless indicated by the ¤ symbol next to the lot number (or bearing an explicit statement such as 'No Reserve' or 'Without Reserve'), which denotes no reserve, all lots in the catalog are subject to a reserve. The reserve is the minimum hammer price that the seller is willing to accept for a lot. This amount is confidential and does not exceed the low estimate value. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing