Curtis, Edward S. Edward S. Curtis: The Life and Times of a Shadow Catcher by Barbara A. Davis.

Chronicle, 1985. Fine hardcover with VG+ protected unclipped dust jacket. ISBN 0-87701-346-2. One of the best large format books on Curtis, best known for his photographs of Native Americans, with both biography and numerous photographs. Note: heavy book.

Note: February 19, 1868, marked the birth near Whitewater, Wisconsin, of Edward Sheriff Curtis, whose 20 volume, monumental work, The North American Indian was published from 1907 to 1930.  After an apprenticeship in Minneapolis, Curtis moved with his family to Seattle, where he eventually opened his own studio after partnering with others.  His role as official photographer of the Harriman Alaska Expedition of 1899 expanded his interest in documenting Native Americans and in 1906, J.P. Morgan agreed to pay him $75,000 to cover expenses for field work but not publication or other costs.  The 20-year project left Curtis in severe financial straits.  In addition to taking photographs of the tribes, Curtis made motion pictures and sound recordings that are now valuable historical records.  He also illustrated other books with his photographs, including The Flute of the Gods (1909).  After years of living in obscurity, Curtis died in Los Angeles on October 19, 1952.