The Curtis Set

Photographed for Swann Galleries in 2006, this rare complete set of Edward S. Curtis’ North American Indian turned out to be one of the highest value items the gallery sold that year. Just 222 sets of this work, a valuable document of Native American culture, were produced and they are extremely rare now. A complete set is a very unusual sight. Though not the most fragile or oldest individual books I photographed while at Swann, great care had to be taken in arranging and setting up the photo to produce an accurate and compelling representation while being cautious with the items.