This rare collection of colored plates is the first on American Indians, coming to market in the year before McKenney and Hall's History. All of the original drawings were destroyed in Smithsonian fire in 1865.
Content: First edition; with leaves of Advertisement dated May, June, and July 20, 1835, and text of Advertisement to the second number printed in 38 lines.
Content: Originally issued in monthly numbers, beginning May 1835, each with 8 plates and cover-title; nos. 1-3 with a leaf of Advertisement, dated respectively May, June, and July 20, 1835; lithographed title page as above, with colored vignette, issued in January 1836. Re-issued from time to time with slight changes, and reprinted Advertisements.
Content: With original lithographed blue paper cover to no. 1: "The aboriginal port folio. No. 1. Philadelphia published May 1835 ... issued monthly untill 10 numbers are complete," bound v. 2.
Statement of responsibility: Plates drawn by J. Barincou and P. Rindisbacher, and colored by hand, after paintings J.O. Lewis, T.R. Peale, and Jerome Thompson; printed by Lehman & Duval and P.S. Duval, lithographihc printers.