566 of 289 lots
566
[NATIVE AMERICANS]. 2 boudoir photographs taken at Pine Ridge Agency, incl. Lt. George W. Taylor and Phillip Wells with Indian Scouts by W.R. Cross, 1891.
Estimate: $800-$1,200
Sold
$2,250
Live Auction
American Historical Ephemera and Early Photography
Description

[NATIVE AMERICANS]. 2 boudoir photographs taken at Pine Ridge Agency, incl. Lt. George W. Taylor and Phillip Wells with Indian Scouts by W.R. Cross, 1891.



2 boudoir photographs, approx. 4 1/2 x 7 3/4 in., or smaller, on cardstock mounts. Includes the following scenes:

Lieutenant Taylor and seven of his Indian scouts, Pine Ridge Agency, Jan. 19th, 1891. Hot Springs, SD: W.R. Cross, 1891. Taken only twelve days after the Wounded Knee massacre, the image shows Lt. George W. Taylor seated with Phillip Wells, noted scout and Army interpreter at Wounded Knee when the massacre of the Sioux took place. Both men hold Winchester rifles on their laps. Behind them stand six uniformed Indian Scouts of Troop A, armed with revolvers and Springfield trapdoor carbines. Note that Wells' nose is bandaged. During the massacre at Wounded Knee, a Lakota man slashed Wells in the face, nearly severing his nose, and Wells killed him in self-defense.

[With:] Indian Police at Pine Ridge Agency, D. Uncredited. An outdoor portrait of seven Indian Scouts in uniform. It has been suggested that the subject at top left is George Sword, Oglala, but this has not been confirmed.

Condition
Cross photograph: Some soiling, edge and corner wear to mount, including loss to top right corner, small pinhole in upper margin. Indian Police at Pine Ridge Agency photograph: Some light fading, edge and corner wear to mount, including few small pinholes in upper margin, some tape residue.