Plate Covers
Plate covers are hand-made envelopes created during the publication of The North American Indian to store the copper plates used in the printing of the photogravures. Each plate had a separate cover that included a now well-worn envelope, a proof print attached to the front, and hand-written notations listing the title, copyright date, volume number, printing notes, and other relevant details. Some include ink thumbprints of the printers and other evidence of the printing process. Each cover and proof print is unique, and we are very fortunate to have a small collection of these important historical items.
A Melon Field
Two Hopi women care for melon plants that have been carefully maintained in the sandy plains of Arizona.
1920
Image Dimensions: 4 1/8 x 7 7/16 in. (10.48 x 18.89 cm
Published in volume 12
Cover Dimensions: 6 7/16 x 8 11/16 in. (16.35 x 22.07 cm.)
Among the Tules - Yokuts
A Yokut woman gathers reeds along a rocky shore.
1924
Image Dimensions: 7 1/4 x 5 3/8 in. (18.42 x 13.65 cm.)
Published in volume 14
Cover Dimensions: 10 3/8 x 8 5/8 in. (26.35 x 21.91 cm.)
Embarking
Kwakiutl (traditionally known as Kwakwaka’wakw) men prepare for a journey in a large ocean-going canoe.
1914
Image Dimensions: 5 1/4 x 7 1/2 in. (13.34 x 19.05 cm.)
Published in volume 10
Cover Dimensions: 8 1/2 x 11 in. (21.59 x 27.94 cm.)
Firing Pottery
Hopi women fire clay pottery in a small wood fire kiln.
1920
Image Dimensions: 4 15/16 x 7 3/8 in. (12.54 x 18.73 cm.)
Published in volume 12
Cover Dimensions: 8 1/16 x 10 1/16 in. (20.48 x 25.56 cm.)
Flute Dancers Returning to Walpi
A group of Hopi flute dancers look toward their pueblo.
1905
Image Dimensions: 4 7/8 x 7 3/8 in. (12.38 x 18.73 cm.)
Published in volume 12
Cover Dimensions: 8 x 10 1/16 in. (20.32 x 25.56 cm.)
Good-Luck Dance by San Juan hunters
San Juan Pueblo hunters perform a dance before going on a hunt,
1925
Image Dimensions: 5 1/2 x 7 5/8 in. (13.97 x 19.37 cm.)
Published in volume 17
Cover Dimensions: 8 3/8 x 10 1/16 in. (21.27 x 25.56 cm.)
Start of the Whale Hunt - Cape Prince of Wales
Inupiaq whale hunters venture out in a large ocean-going canoe.
1927
Image Dimensions: 5 1/2 x 7 1/2 in. (13.97 x 19.05 cm.)
Published in volume 20
Cover Dimensions: 8 7/16 x 10 7/16 in. (21.43 x 26.51 cm.)
Súmaikuli Katsina at Hano
Hopi Katsina dancers perform around a well at Hano, Arizona
1921
Image Dimensions: 5 1/4 x 7 3/8 in. (13.34 x 18.73 cm.)
Published in volume 12
Cover Dimensions: 8 1/4 x 10 in. (20.96 x 25.40 cm.)
The Plaza at Walpi
An exterior view of the plaza at Walpi, Arizona, with thee turkeys in the foreground.
1920
Image Dimensions: 5 5/16 x 6 9/16 in. (13.49 x 16.67 cm.)
Published in volume 12
Cover Dimensions: 7 3/16 x 7 5/8 in. (18.26 x 19.37 cm.)
Thinking of the Old Days - Klamath
An old Native man sits on a rocky ledge above Crater Lake, Oregon
1923
Image Dimensions: 5 3/4 x 7 7/16 in. (14.61 x 18.89 cm.)
Published in volume 13
Cover Dimensions: 8 1/8 x 10 1/8 in. (20.64 x 25.72 cm.)
Winnowing Wheat - San Juan
San Juan Pueblo women winnow wheat in a courtyard.
1905
Image Dimensions: 5 1/2 x 7 7/16 in. (13.97 x 18.89 cm.)
Published in volume 17
Cover Dimensions: 8 1/4 x 10 7/16 in. (20.96 x 26.51 cm.)