Various (Carlson, Robert E. (Editor)

Nebraska Folklore Pamphlet Twenty-One: Santee-Sioux Indian Legends

Lincoln, NE: Book, 1939. First Edition. Stapled Sheets. "These eight Santee-Sioux Indian legends have been collected from the files of the Word Carrier- a missionary paper published by the Santee Mission School. They appeared between the years of 1883 and 1887 when the paper had a circulation of less than 300 copies...As published in the Santee missionary paper, the translations were very rough and made no attempt at literary style. Consequently they have been subject to considerable editing to clarify their meaning, although every attempt has been made to retain the simple, almost childlike style of the Santee-Souix original." (from pg. 1) An original pamphlet published by the Federal Writers' Project, the New Deal agency that sent writers to all corners of the USA & resulted in many now-classic & highly collectible publications including the famous series of guides to various States. By current standards, we might wince at the Mission School connection & patronizing description of the original Native American legends (see quote above), but these translations are certainly an improvement over their source, & the editor does admit: "Like most Indian legends, these have lost a great deal of their original charm and interest in translation and in print. So much of their effect depends upon the gestures of the story-teller and their natural setting." (pg. 1). Letter-size stapled sheets, dated "May, 1939" at front cover sheet & first page, with printing on rectos of front cover & page leaves only; rear cover sheet blank on both sides. The series of numbered pamphlets of which this is one were "Reproduced from material gathered for a book on the Folklore of the State/ Issued Irregularly by the (FRP) in Nebraska" as stated on first page. An extremely rare relic of New Deal-era Native Americana, anticipating the "mimeograph revolution" while preceding it by several decades. See also our item No. 5284 (preceding number in this series). In relatively good-to-near-fine, intact condition for such an aged & fragile production with mild-to-moderate rubbing, fading, browning & spotting to front & back cover sheets incl. blank inner covers; moderate wear incl. some short, mostly closed tears at edges & corners of same with minimal loss of paper; several very small holes at rear cover near middle of left edge; rear cover sheet detached from upper of two staples (all other sheets completely attached); staples in process of rusting with miniscule bleeding. Interior near-fine with moderate browning esp. at blank margins/edges of page leaves; tiny bumps & mostly small, faint creases at corners of some of same. Good- Near Fine. [Item #5341]

Price: $150.00