In 1906 J. P. Morgan gave Edward S. Curtis $75,000 to begin his production on a series of books on the North Americans.  The work was to be a series of 20 volumes containing 1,500 photographs.  Morgan’s funds were to be used over a five year period to support the fieldwork.  The goal was to produce 500 original print portfolios and J. P. Morgan was to receive 25.

Edward S. Curtis took over 40,000 photographs documenting over 80 tribes throughout the Americas.  Only 222 complete portfolio sets were ever produced.  The Four Friends Gallery has a large selection of original photogravures for your collecting possibilities.