National Anthropological Archives

Guide to MS 1929-b Sitting Bull pictographic autobiography and related material, 1882-1923

Summary

Collection ID:
NAA.MS1929B
Creators:
Sitting Bull, 1831-1890
Dates:
1882-1923
Languages:
English
.
Physical Description:
1 Volume
disbound and laminated; 22 drawings
pencil and watercolor
13.25 x 8.25 inches
Repository:

Scope and Contents

Scope and Contents
The collection consists of a ledger book, now partially disbound, containing twenty-two (22) drawings by Sitting Bull and related material. The drawings depict Sitting Bull's war deeds, and each image is signed by him. The scenes are not in chronological order. The drawings were made on the front leaves of the ledger book, and were removed by the Bureau of American Ethnology Archives (BAE) for lamination at an unknown date. The remaining volume has eight (8) leaves with mounted newspaper clippings about Sitting Bull, and many additional blank leaves. The collection also includes letters transmitting the ledger book as well as explanations of the drawings dictated by Sitting Bull from Wallace Tear to John C. Smith, and from Smith's son to the BAE.
Please note that the contents of the collection and the language and terminology used reflect the context and culture of the time of its creation. As an historical document, its contents may be at odds with contemporary views and terminology and considered offensive today. The information within this collection does not reflect the views of the Smithsonian Institution or National Anthropological Archives, but is available in its original form to facilitate research.

Administration

Custodial History
Sitting Bull drew these pictures on the leaves of an Army ledger book while he was held prisoner at Fort Randall, Dakota Territory in 1882. They were acquired at that time by Lt. Wallace Tear together with explanations from Sitting Bull of each image. Tear sent them to Gen. John C. Smith in August 1882, and they were donated to the Bureau of American Ethnology by Smith's son Robert A. Smith in 1923.

Using the Collection

Preferred Citation
MS 1929-b Sitting Bull pictographic autobiography and related material, National Anthropological Archives, Smithsonian Institution

More Information

Local Numbers

Local Numbers
NAA MS 1929B


Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Works of art Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Ledger drawings Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Pictographs Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Newsclippings Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Assiniboine (Stoney) Cultural Context Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Apsáalooke (Crow/Absaroke) Cultural Context Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Sahnish (Arikara) Cultural Context Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Salish (Flathead) Cultural Context Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Hunkpapa Lakota (Hunkpapa Sioux) Cultural Context Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
North America Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

National Anthropological Archives
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