The Indian Chief and the Little White Boy

H. C. Peck & Theo. Bliss, 1857. Hardcover. Very Good/None. Hardcover, no DJ, 1857. From the library of American artist and illustrator Leonard Baskin (1922 - 2000), with his personal bookplate to front pastedown (see The Complete Prints of Leonard Baskin: A Catalogue Raissone 1948 - 1983, Fern & O'Sullivan, Little Brown & Co, 1984; pg 37, image 79). Also includes small circular sticker on front pastedown, with image of a porcupine printed in red; this is also an image by Baskin. Full bound red cloth boards, blindstamped designs to front and rear boards, gilt stamped lettering and design to spine. 1/16th inch loss of fabric at top of spine, corner rounding with tiny spots of wear through to underlying board. Binding is solid. Pencilled note on front free endpaper: "From Leonard Baskin library". On the second blank page is another pencil inscription: "1856 / A Present to Oliver Kendall / By J A Bruce / Boylston, Mass". A scarce collection of five stories for children: The Indian chief and the little white boy; The little flower girl; The drowned boy; Story of the petrel; A fox and her young ones. The title story tells the tale of the Howard family who settle in Indian territory in New York, and gain the trust and friendship of a powerful Indian chief by entrusting him with their young son for three days. The story perpetuates many stereotypes of Native American culture, and it fails to even recognize the plurality of cultures that existed. But notably for the time, this narrative also portrays many noble characteristics of the Indians, including loyalty, kindness, honor, and parental love. Other stories in this collection include morality and animal tales. Includes 11 full page engravings, and seventeen partial page engravings. Originally published in 1855.