Epilonian Books

Rare, out-of-print & unusual books · Since 1997

120
Totem Lore of the Alaska Indians. Second Edition, photograph 1 of 20

Turn the pages with the arrows, keyboard, or a swipe.

Catalog notes

Description

[Privately Published], [Published date: no date listed, circa 1914]. Second Edition. Paper covers, 48 pp; illustrated with black-and-white photographs throughout; 27 cm.

Condition & notes

In acceptable condition. Original printed wrappers present but the back cover has been cut away with only about an inch remaining; front wrapper chipped and worn at edges with losses; spine fragile with stitching exposed. Final page shows significant damage with losses; remainder of the interior pages is in very good condition, clean and intact. NOT Ex-Library. A scarce early edition of Rev. Henry Percy Corser (1860 - 1934) work on the folklore and cultural traditions of the Tlingit Indians of Southeast Alaska. Expanded and rewritten from the first edition, this version incorporates material on the Chilkat Blanket and the Thlinget Basket (drawn by permission from works by Lt. Emmons, U.S. Navy). The date of publication is not stated in the book; WorldCat assigns it as probably 1914 based on internal reference to Chief Kadashan as the greatest living Indian orator, as Kadashan died that year. Chapters include legends of the Raven, Mosquito, Beaver, Kit, and Koos-ta-ka; discussions of Chief Shakes and Chief Kadashan; and descriptions of totems at Wrangell, Sitka, Kassan, and Ketchikan. Illustrated with numerous photographs of totems, chiefs, baskets, and Alaskan village life, along with period advertisements for frontier businesses in Wrangell and Juneau. Contents include: The Story of the Thlinget Indians; Legend of the Raven; The Beaver and Kicksetti Legends; The Kit Legend and Totem; The Legend of the Mosquito; The Intellectual Life of the Thlinget Indians; Legends Connected with Chief Shakes Totems; Chief Kadashan, His Totems and Legends; The Legend of the Koos-ta-ka; The Chilkat Blanket; The Thlinget Basket; Wrangell and Old House; Sitka Totems; Wolf and Indian Laws; Ketchikan Totems; Kassan; The Beaver Totem.