Philadelphia: J.T. Bowen, 1848-1850. In three volumes. Royal 8vo (257 x 165 mm). 120 hand-colored lithographed plates, heightened in gum arabic; hand-colored lithographed dedication leaf. (Some slight scattered spotting, a few pale stains, some dampstaining in the gutter margin Vol. II.) Publisher's deluxe gilt-decorated blue morocco, spines in six compartments with five raised bands, decorated in gilt, all edges gilt (Vol. I front cover detached, a few old repairs to joints, some rubbing to extremities). Howes M-129

First octavo edition. As Superintendent of Indian Affairs, McKenney commissioned Charles Bird King to produce portraits of Native American leaders. The folio edition was published 1836-1844 with the following octavo edition containing an additional plate of Red Bird (Vol. II, frontispiece) and expanded biographies, along with the renowned portraits of Pocahontas and Black Hawk.