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Edward S. Curtis Original Signed Stamped Platinum Print the Vanishing Race, 1904

About the Item

"The Vanishing Race" is perhaps the most iconic and sought-after photographic print by renowned American artist Edward S. Curtis who was famed for his work with the Native American peoples of the American West at the turn of the century. This platinum print is hand-signed in ink, blind-stamped with Curtis' embossed studio copyright stamp, and dated 1904. It also has the negative number written by Curtis on the lower-left edge. This print comes with an original Marshall Field & Company label on the back of the frame (see photos). Perhaps Curtis' work was sold there at one point. A very rare copy (this is one of two that we currently have). It is estimated that Curtis initially printed approximately 400-800 negatives as platinum prints. Of these, possibly as few as 200 negatives were ultimately finished and used for exhibition and/ or sale prints. Most range Size-wise from either 6" x 8", as this print, or 12" x 16". In most cases, Curtis typically made fewer than four or five prints per negative. For some of his more popular images, it is estimated that he may have produced between forty to eighty examples of each image in platinum in various sizes. It is believed that there are probably somewhere between 200-300 platinum prints of The Vanishing Race, arguably his most important and impactful image, ranging in size from 6" x 8" to as large as 17" x 22" making them again very scarce and extremely rare. Image dimensions: 5 7/8 x 7.75 Framed dimensions: 12.5" high, 14" wide, .75" deep.
  • Creator:
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 12.5 in (31.75 cm)Width: 14 in (35.56 cm)Depth: 0.75 in (1.91 cm)
  • Style:
    Native American (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
    1900-1909
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1904
  • Condition:
    In very good vintage condition with light chipping to backing paper at frame corner (does not affect the image) and some light spotting in sky area where print appears to have been attached to backing paper (please see photos). Fantastic overall.
  • Seller Location:
    Studio City, CA
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU2254321623632
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