Hoo-Wan-Ne-Ka, a Winnebago Chief: An Original Folio-Sized Hand-Colored McKenney & Hall Lithogram

Description

This is an original 19th century 1st octavo edition hand-colored McKenney and Hall lithograph of a Native American entitled "Hoo-Wan-Ne-Ka, … more This is an original 19th century 1st octavo edition hand-colored McKenney and Hall lithograph of a Native American entitled "Hoo-Wan-Ne-Ka, A Winnebago Chief", lithographed by J. T. Bowen after a painting by Charles Bird King and published by Rice and Hart in Philadelphia in 1848. For this portrait, Hoo-Wan-Ne-Ka appeared in the costume that he wore at the time of his address to Congress. McKenney described his costume as "...fantastic style, and clad in these wild and picturesque habiliments". This included a single feather and a comb in his hair, two metallic bands on each arm, a large medallion over his abdomen, a silver necklace and his presidential peace medal hanging by a ribbon from his neck. He held a tomahawk in his hands.

This original McKenney and Hall hand-colored lithograph is printed on a sheet measuring 10.25" high and 6.75" wide. There are faint smudges and small spots in the lower margins and a short tear at the left edge, repaired on the verso. The print is otherwise in very good condition. The original descriptive text pages, 289-290, from McKenney and Hall's 19th century publication are included.

A famous Winnebago chief, Hoo-Wan-Ne-Ka, also known as Little Elk, led his people during the early part of the 19th century. He was was painted by James Otto Lewis (1799-1858) at the Treaty of Prairie du Chien (1825) and he was also painted by Charles Bird King and George Catlin (1796-1872) in 1824 in Washington, D.C., during a visit of a Winnebago delegation. The Winnebago inhabited the Great Lakes region of United States. Hoo-Wan-Ne-Ka was a war chief. He fought with the British in the War of 1812. Following the conclusion of the war he swore allegiance to the United States and later signed treaties at the Prairie du Chien council in 1825 and at Fort Armstrong in 1832. During the summer of 1824, Hoo-Wan-Ne-Ka traveled to the White House as a delegate for the Winnebago, where he addressed President Monroe and Congress, along with various foreign envoys and Colonel McKenney. less