Antique Native American Ledger Art Drawing, 1868, By Black Wolf.
Item History & Price
Antique Original Native American Ledger Art Drawing - 1868. Authentic Ledger Art has become extremely hard to find and dated Ledger Drawings are even more rare. This one is historically important as it depicts a Custer battle survivor Cheyenne Chief “Black Wolf” counting coup on an enemy Crow warrior in 1868 several years before the Little Big Horn Battle. The Ledger drawing was most probably produced in the late 1800’s or very early 1900’s as many imprisioned or reservation Na...tive Americans were given or obtained Ledger materials to use instead of the vanished buffalo hides that had been traditionally used to record their war deeds in pictographic form. These drawings were normally executed in ink and colored pencil and most still retain their vivid color today. This drawing is full Ledger size and is in excellent condition with only minor corner damage to the lower right, a small tear about midway along its upper edge, and the expected yellowing from age. It has been professionally matted with acid free materials and is framed behind glass with a beautiful modern frame. The Ledger sheet is about 15”x 9” and the frame is 21 1/4”x 15 1/2”. The winning bidder will also receive a research print of a photo of Black Wolf (by Edward S. Curtis) and a listing of Warriors at the Little Big Horn Battle which lists Black Wolf and includes a reference source for him. This drawing includes the date 1868 and the words Crow and Black Wolf. A Rare and Highly Collectible Example of Ledger Art.
