Explorations in Sights and Sounds
Orginal Publication Date
1994
Journal Title
Explorations in Sights and Sounds
Volume
14
Issue
ess/vol14/iss1
First Page
16
Last Page
18
Abstract
About a dozen years ago, I had the opportunity to buy Stewart Culin's classic work, Garnes of tile North American Indians, published in the 1902-1903 annual report of the Bureau of American Ethnology (BAE), Smithsonian Institution. The original edition numbered 9,682 copies, of which almost half went to the United States Congress. Beautifully illustrated with more than one thousand figures (mainly drawings of recreative artifacts, plus 21 photographic plates), the heavy and gold-embossed volume was offered for $175 by an antique dealer in Maine. Because I knew the fellow, he was willing to shave $50 from the price. Although this was still a fortune for me at the time, I made the purchase, and the book continues to serve me as a reference. Today, this original edition is difficult to get and, no doubt, even more expensive. Because of its ongoing significance as a rich source of detailed information about traditional native entertainment, I welcome its republication by the University of Nebraska Press. The moderate price of this new edition puts Culin's treasure within financial reach of many.
Rights
Copyright, ©EES, The National Association for Ethnic Studies, 1994