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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 Volumedisbound and laminated; 22 drawingspencil and watercolor13.25 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 As an historical document, its contents may be at odds with contemporary views and terminology and considered offensive today.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
| 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
Museum Support Center
4210 Silver Hill Road
Suitland, Maryland 20746
Business Number: Phone: 301.238.1310
Fax Number: Fax: 301.238.2883
naa@si.edu
