Buffalo Bills Wild West Warriors by Michelle Delaney

A visual pleasure and a unique insight into American historyFor the first time ever, here is renowned photographer Gertrude Käsebiers haunting collection of photographs of Native American performers from Buffalo Bills Wild West show at the turn of the century. One hundred years later, Käsebiers portraits remain significant visual records into the lives of these Sioux performers and their nation. Her striking photographs capture the strength and character of each individual, documenting the complexity of true warriors playing a staged version of themselves.In 1898, Käsebier wrote to William F. Cody requesting to photograph Indians performing in his Wild West show at Madison Square Garden. Her photographs proved poignant. Her studio had no elaborate backdrops, and she removed Indian regalia to depict her subjects as raw individuals, with strong personalities and experiences that blurred the distinction between traditional life and contemporary times. Käsebier developed long relationships with several of the Indians, corresponding with a few for many years. Examples of these letters appear in the volume, as well as drawings done by Indians waiting in her studio, photographs of Dakota Sioux on their reservation, little-known historical background, and Wild West show memorabilia, including rare pages from Buffalo Bills original route book. Käsebiers photographs are preserved at the National Museum of American Historys Photographic History Collection at the Smithsonian Institution.