Indian Basketry - 1904

New York: Doubleday, 1904. First edition. Two large octavo volumes (10 1/8 x 7 inches; 258 x 180 mm). [xx], 254; [xiv], [2], 255-528 pp. With 248 plates, some which are black-and-white and others that are in color and tipped in. Descriptive issue guards with the color plates, including the two frontispieces. With an additional 212 illustrations within the text. This was originally published in the Report of the United States National museum for 1902 (p. 171-548) under title: "Aboriginal American basketry."... Original full yellow cloth stamped with tan ink in basket-weave pattern. Spines lettered in gilt. Top edges gilt, others uncut. Spines a bit darkend and gilt lightly rubbed. Cloth a bit rubbed along edges. Previous owner's small bookplate on front pastedown of each volumes. Very good. In a custom cloth slipcase. "Mason's contributions can perhaps be most appreciated if he is considered as an ethnologist with a specialty in museology. He was significantly involved in developing theories and methods of ethnological exhibits. His greatest and most enduring work, however, was probably the Smithsonian ethnological collection itself. As its first curator, Mason provided direction and much of the hands-on work for that large, sometimes very inclusive, and, in contrast to many others, well-documented collection. Furthermore, Mason's patient and persistent research in his collection is clearly indicated by his many publications on material culture. The best example is his masterpiece, "American Indian Basketry: A Study of a Textile Art Without Machinery" (Annual Report of the United States National Museum, 1900)." (American National Biography). HBS 67806. $750.