Lot of 2. One card with title "White Ghost, Head Chief. Sioux Located at Fort Thompson, D.T." With photographer's identification J.N. Templeman, Miller, DT. In this classic image, he wears three peace medals, all in a line, presented on different trips to Washington, DC. White Ghost was head of Lower Yanktonnai. Belly-Fat with Barry's Bismarck and Standing Rock, DT backmark. Belly-Fat (Tejikjice) (Uncpapa) was listed as a participant at the Battle of the Little Big Horn. Even prior to the existence of the United States as a sovereign nation, medals were struck for gifts to native peoples, including native Americans. These were supposed to show the honor of the giver, and the status of the recipient. The first US medal seems to have been minted in 1789, the year Washington was inaugurated. The tradition was continued through at least Benjamin Harrison's term in office, with each president (other than Washington) having their profile on one side of the medal. The ones White Ghost wears cannot really be seen in this photo (but the person on the lowest (and largest) medal faces left (from the wearer's point of view). Belly-Fat wears what appears to be a US Grant medal. Belly-Fat signed an important treaty in 1873 as chief of the Uncpapa, in which the northern plains groups (Upper and Lower Yanktonnais, Black Feet, Uncpapa, Sans Arcs) agreed to peace with their enemies of many generations - Arickarees, Gros Ventres and Mandans (and with the United States). The United States convinced the combatants that intertribal warfare got them nothing other than "bragging rights," at least for a short time, but overall they gained nothing and were losing valuable people in the process. It is likely that this was when he was given the Peace Medal. Condition: White Ghost is a bit light, corners scuffed, some foxing and toning. Belly-fat with minor handling wear, a couple small pieces of newsprint adhered to verso.
Lot of 2. One card with title "White Ghost, Head Chief. Sioux Located at Fort Thompson, D.T." With photographer's identification J.N. Templeman, Miller, DT. In this classic image, he wears three peace medals, all in a line, presented on different trips to Washington, DC. White Ghost was head of Lower Yanktonnai. Belly-Fat with Barry's Bismarck and Standing Rock, DT backmark. Belly-Fat (Tejikjice) (Uncpapa) was listed as a participant at the Battle of the Little Big Horn. Even prior to the existence of the United States as a sovereign nation, medals were struck for gifts to native peoples, including native Americans. These were supposed to show the honor of the giver, and the status of the recipient. The first US medal seems to have been minted in 1789, the year Washington was inaugurated. The tradition was continued through at least Benjamin Harrison's term in office, with each president (other than Washington) having their profile on one side of the medal. The ones White Ghost wears cannot really be seen in this photo (but the person on the lowest (and largest) medal faces left (from the wearer's point of view). Belly-Fat wears what appears to be a US Grant medal. Belly-Fat signed an important treaty in 1873 as chief of the Uncpapa, in which the northern plains groups (Upper and Lower Yanktonnais, Black Feet, Uncpapa, Sans Arcs) agreed to peace with their enemies of many generations - Arickarees, Gros Ventres and Mandans (and with the United States). The United States convinced the combatants that intertribal warfare got them nothing other than "bragging rights," at least for a short time, but overall they gained nothing and were losing valuable people in the process. It is likely that this was when he was given the Peace Medal. Condition: White Ghost is a bit light, corners scuffed, some foxing and toning. Belly-fat with minor handling wear, a couple small pieces of newsprint adhered to verso.
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
