Swiss artist Karl Bodmer was working as a landscape illustrator when he was hired by the Prussian naturalist Prince Maximilian of Wied for an expedition to examine and describe the wildlife and Indian tribes of the American West. The men travelled up the Missouri River from Saint Louis to Montana over a 13-month period, and Bodmer documented the landscape and people of the region in great detail.

In the words of the website of the National Agricultural Library, "although Maximilian and Bodmer were not the first to explore the American West and record their observations, they were the first team combining a trained, dedicated scientist with an especially skilled illustrator, whose collaboration resulted in a work of unique historical, scientific, and aesthetic importance."

According to ANB, "for over a century Bodmer's aquatints have been regarded as one of the most significant contributions to the iconography of the western frontier." In his portraits of American Indians, Bodmer "achieved a level of accuracy and sensitivity that no other artist of the American frontier has ever surpassed. His work is particularly valuable for its detailed rendition of the Indians' ornamentation, attire, and implements. Indeed, Bodmer was far superior to his better-known contemporary George Catlin, whose work lacks the Swiss artist's fidelity and meticulous attention to detail."

In addition to depictions of native Americans, the "Travels" (the work was also produced in German and French) contains a number of memorable images of flora and fauna, terrain, frontiersmen, steamboats, and more. The most remarkable are the portraits, in rich colors and from life, of American Indians.

After the printing of the original editions, the location of the plates remained unknown until their rediscovery at Castle Wied in the 1950s; they eventually ended up being donated to the Omaha Joslyn Art Museum, which then collaborated with Alecto Historical Editions in London to create a spectacular facsimile reproduction.

Translated from the German.

4 volumes (text: 3 volumes, 8vo [9 1/2 x 6 1/4 ins]; atlas: 1 oblong folio [17 x 23 1/2 ins]).

French text: Half-titles, 1 lithographic plan, 31 plates of wood-engraved vignettes, 6 wood-engraved illustrations, large engraved folding map. Atlas: 81 engraved and aquatint plates (48 large aquatint tableau plates [19 handcolored as issued], 33 vignette plates on full folio sheets [7 handcolored as issued]), all after Bodmer.

The atlas comprises 81 plates, in part colored, numbered 1-48 and I-XXXIII, the latter set being called "vignettes."

References:

Abbey 615; Howes M443a. "dd"; Pilling, Proof-Sheets 2521; Rader 3652; Sabin 47014; Wagner-Camp 76:1; Goetzmann [et al], Karl Bodmer's America (1984); Ruud, Brandon, Editor, Karl Bodmer's North American Prints, Omaha, 2004, passim.


1. Leuchtthurn von Boston. / Phare de Boston. / Boston Lighthouse.
10. Saki und Musquake Indianer. / Indiens Sâkis et Renards. / Saukie and Fox Indianians.
11. Campirende Punka-Indianer am ufer des Msisouri. / Indiens Ponkas Campés sur les bords du Missouri. / Punka Indians encamped on the banks of the Missouri.
12. Waschinga Sahba's Grab auf den Blackbird's Hügeln. / Tombeau de Wachinga Sahba, sur les buttes de lOisea Noir. / Washinga Sahba's grave on Blackbird's Hills.
13. Crow Indianer. / Indiens Corbeaux. / Crow Indians.
14. Opfer der Mandan Indianer. / Offrande des Indiens Mandans. / Offering of the Mandan Indians.
15. Zauber Maal bei den Assiniboin Indianern. / Monument magique des Indiens Assiniboins. / Magic pile erected by the Assiniboin Indians.
16. Lederzelt eines Assiniboin Chefs. / Tente en cuir d'un chef Assiniboin. / A skin lodge of an Assiniboin chief.
17. Biberbau am Missouri. / Constructions des castors sur le Missouri. / Beaver hut on the Missouri.
18. Felsen genannt die Citadelle am oberen Missouri. / Rocher dit la Citadelle sur lehaut Missouri. / The Citadel-rock on the upper Missouri.
19. Blackfoot Indianer zu Pferd. / Indien Pieds Noir à cheval. / A Blackfoot Indian on horse-back.
2. Aussicht auf den Delaware bei Bordentown. / Vue du Delaware prés de Bordentown. / View of the Delaware near Bordentown.
20. Mexkemahuastan, Chef der Gros-ventres des Prairies. / Mexkemahuastan, Chef des Gros-ventres des Prairies. / Mexkemahuastan, chief of the Gros-ventres des Prairies.
21. Die Elkhorn-Pyramide am obern Missouri. / La pyramide des cornes d'elk sur le haut Missouri. / The elkhorn pyramid on the upper Missouri.
22. Mähsette-Kuiuab, Chef der Crih Indianer. / Mähsette-Kuiuab, Chef des Indiens Crih. / Mähsette-Kuiuab, Chief of the Crec-Indians.
23. Bivouac der Reisenden am Missouri. / Halte des voyageurs sur le Missouri. / Encampment of the travellers ont the Missouri.
24. Mändeh-Páhchu, Junger Mandan Indianer. / Mändeh-Páhchu, Jeune Indien Mandan. / A young Mandan Indian.
25. Ischohä-Kakoschóchatä, Tanz der Mandan Indianer. / Ischohä-Kakoschóchatä, Dance des Indiens Mandans. / Dance of the Manda Indians.
26. Zusammenkunft der reisenden mit Monnitarri Indianern bei Fort Clark. / Rencontre des voyageurs avec des Indiens Meunitarri près du Fort Clark. / The travellers meeting with Minatarre Indians near Fort Clark.
27. Pachtüwa-Chtä, Arrikkara Krieger. / Pachtüwa-Chtä, Geurrier Arrikkara. / Pachtüwa-Chtä, Arrikkara Warrior.
28. Ptihn-Tak-Ochatä, Tanz der Mandan Weiber. / Ptihn-Tak-Ochatä, Danse des femmes Mandans. / Ptihn-Tak-Ochatä, dance of the Mandan women.
29. Hundeschlitten der Mandan Indianer. / Traineaux à chiens des IndienssMandans. / Dog-sledges of the Mandan Indians.
3. Ansicht von Bethlehem (Pennsylvanien). / Vue de Bethléhem (Pennsylvanie). / View of Bethlehem (Pennsylvania).
30. Pferderennen des Sioux Indianer bei Fort Pierre. / Course aux cheavaux des Indiens Sioux près du Fort Pierre. / Horse racing of Sioux Indians near Fort Pierre.
31. Bellvue, Agentschaft des H. Dougherty am Missouri. / Bellvue, Agence de Mr. Dougherty sur le Missouri. / Bellvue, Mr. Dougherty's agency on the Missouri.
32. Leuchtthurm bei Cleveland am Erie See. / Phare de Clevelandsur le Lac Erie. / Cleveland Lighthouse on the Lake Erie.
33. Einfahrt des Hafens von New York von Staten Island aus. / Entrée de Port New York pris de Staten Island. / Entry to the bay of New York taken from Staten Island.
34. Wald-Ansicht am Lecha (Pennsylvanien). / Forêt sur le Lehigh (Pennsylvanie). / Forest scene on the Lehigh (Pennsylvania).
35. New-Harmony aus Wabash. / New-Harmony sur le Wabash. / New-Harmony on the Wabash.
36. Mássika, Sáki Indianer. Mássika, Indien Saki. / Mássika, Saki Indian; Wakusásse, Musquake Indianer. / Wakusásse, Indien Musquake (Renard). Wakusásse, Musquake Indian.
37. Das Dampfboot Yellow-Stone am 19-ten April 1833. / Le bateau à vapeur Yellow-Stone, le 19 Avril 1883. / The steamer Yellow-Stone on the 19th April 1833.
38. Mündung des Fox-River (Indiana). / Embouchure du Fox-River (Indiana). / Mouth of the Fox River (Indiana).
39. Snags (im Missouri versunkene Baumstämme). / Snags (troncs d'arbres obstruant le cours du Missouri). / Snags (sunken trees on the Missouri).
4. Wald-Ansicht am Tobihanna, Alleghany-Gebirge. / Forêt sur le Tobihanna, Montagnes Alleghanys. / Forest scene on the Tobihanna, Alleghany Mountains.
40. Missouri Indianer. Indien Missouri. Missouri Indian; / Oto Indianer. Indien Oto. Oto Indian; / Chef der Puncas. Chef des Puncas. Chief of the Puncas.
41. Wahk-Tä-Ge-Li, Dacota-Krieger. / Wahk-Tä-Ge-Li, Guerrier Dacota. / Wahk-Tä-Ge-Li, a Sioux Warrior.
42. Dacota indianerin und Assiniboin Mädchen. / Indienne Dacota et jeune fille Assiniboine. / Dacota woman and Assiniboin girl.
43. Fort Pierre am Missouri. / Fort Pierre sur le Missouri. / Fort Pierre on the Missouri.
44. Todtengerüste eines Sioux-Chefs bei Fort Pierre. / Échafaudage funeraire d'un chef Sioux près du Fort Pierre. / Funeral scaffold of a Sioux chief near Fort Pierre.
45. Noápeh, Assiniboin Indianer. Noápeh, Indien Assiniboin. / Noápeh, an Assiniboin Indian; Psíhdjä-Sáhpa, Yanktonan Indianer. / Psíhdjä-Sáhpa, Indien Yanktonan. Psíhdjä-Sáhpa, a Yanktonan Indian.
46. Mató-Tope, Mandan Chef. / Mató-Tope, chef Mandan. / Mató-Tope, a Mandan chief.
47. Mato-Tope, gesmückt mit den Leichen seiner Kriegshalten. / Mato-Tope, paré des emblèmes des ses faits d'armes. / Mato-Tope, adorned with the insignia of his warlike deeds.
48. Fort Clark am Missouri (Februar 1834). / Fort Clark sur le Missouri (Fevrier 1834). / Fort Clark on the Missouri (February 1834).
49. Mih-Tutta-Hangkusch, Mandan Dorf. / Mih-Tutta-Hangkusch, village Mandan. / Mih-Tutta-Hangjusch, a Mandan village.
5. Ansicht von Mauch-Chunk (Pennsylvanien). / Vue de Mauch-Chunk (Pennsylvanie). / View of Mauch-Chunk (Pennsylvania).
50. Pehriska-Ruhpa, ein Mönnitarri-Indianer. / Pehriska-Ruhpa, Indien-Moennitarre ou gros Ventre. / Pehriska-Ruhpa, a minatarre or big bellied Indian
51. Bisontanz der Mandan Indianer vor der Medezin hütte in Mih-Tutta-Hangkusch. / Danse du bison des Indiens Mandans devant la Loge de Medecine à Mih-Toutta-Hangkouche. / Bison-dance of the Mandan Indieans in front of their Medecine Lodge in Mih-Tutta-Hankush.
52. Das Innere der Hutte eines Mandan Häuptlings. / Interieur de la cabane d'un chef Mandan. / The interior of the hut of a Mandan chief.
53. Sih-Chida & Mahchsi-Karahde, Mandan Indianer. / Sih-Chida & Mahchsi-Karahde, Indiens Mandan. / Sih-Chida & Mahchsi-Karahde, Mandan Indians.
54. Indianische geräthschaften und Waffen. / Ustensiles et armes Indiens. / Indian utensils and arms.
55. Fac simile einer indianischen malerei. / Fac simile d'une peinture indienne. / Fac simile of an Indian painting.
56. Pehriska-Ruhpa, Mönnitarri Krieger im Auzuge des Hundetanzes. / Pehriska-Ruhpa, guerrier Moennitarri costume pour la Danse du Chien. / Pehriska-Ruhpa, Moennitarri warrior in the costume of the Dog dance.
57. Abdih-Hiddisch, Mönnitarri -Chef. / Abdih-Hiddisch, Chef Meunitarri. / Abdih-HIddisch, a Minatarre Chief.
58. Götzenbilder der Mandan Indianer. / Idoles des Indiens Mandans. / Idols of the Mandan Indians.
59. Winterdorf der Mönnitarris. / Village d'hiver des Meunitarris. / Winter village of the Minatarres.
6. Zuchthaus bei Pittsburgh. / Penitentiare près de Pittsburgh. / Penitentiary near Pittsburgh.
60. Scalptanz der Mönnitarris. / Danse du scalp des indiens Meunitarris. / Scalp dance of the Minatarres.
61. Fort Union and Missouri. / Fort Union sur le Missouri. / Fort Union on the Missouri.
62. Vereinigung des Yellow-Stone Flusses mit dem Missouri. / Confluent de la rivière Roche Jaune et du Missouri. / Junction of the Yellow-Stone River with the Missouri.
63. Assiniboin Baumgräber. / Tombeaux des Assiniboins dans des arbres. / Tombs of Assiniboin Indians on trees.
64. Indianische Bisonjagd. / Indiens chassant le bison. / Indians hunting the bison.
65. Asiniboin Indianer. / Indiens Assiniboins. / Assiniboin Indians.
66. Schlangen-Indianerinn. Indienne serpent. Woman of the Snake-tribe; / Crih-Indianerinn. Indienne Crih. Woman of the Cree-tribe.
67. Merkwürdige Hügel an obern Missouri. / Collines singulières su le haut Missouri. / Remarkable hills on the upper Missouri. [I]
68. Merkwürdige Hügel an obern Missouri. / Collines singulières su le haut Missouri. / Remarkable hills on the upper Missouri. [II]
69. Jagd auf Grizzly Bären. / Chasse au Grizzly bear. / Hunting of the Grizzly bear.
7. Cave-in-rock, Ansicht vom Ohio. / Cave-in-rock, vue sur l'Ohio. / Cave-in-rock, view on the Ohio.
70. Die weissen Schlösser am obern Missouri. / Les châteaux blancs, Missouri superieur. / The white castels on the upper Missouri.
71. Lager der Gros Ventres des prairies am obern Missouri./ Camp des Gros Ventres des prairies sur le Missouri. / Camp of the Gros Ventres of the prairies on the upper Missouri.
72. Niagara Fälle. / Les chûtes du Niagara. / Niagara falls.
73. Bisonheerge am obern Missouri. / Troupeau de bisons sur le haut Missouri. / Herd of bisons on the upper Missouri.
74. Ansicht der Stone-Walls am obern Missouri. / Vue des Stone-Walls sur le haut Missouri. / View of the Stone Walls on the upper Missouri.
75. Fort Mackenzie den 28-ten August 1833. / Fort Mackenzie le 28 Aout 1833. / Fort Mackenzie, August 28th 1833.
76. Lager der Piekann Indianer. / Camp des Indiens Piekann. / Encampment of the Piekann Indians.
77. Ansicht der Rocky Mountains. / Vue des Montagnes Rocheuses. / View of the Rocky Mountains.
78. Mehkskeme-Sukahs, Blackfoot-chef. Mehkskeme-Sukahs, Chef des Pieds-noirs. Mehkskeme-Sukahs, Blackfoot-chief; Tatsicki-Stomick, Piekann-chef. Tatsicki-Stomick, Chef des Piekanns. Tatsicki-Stomick, Piekann chief.
79. Chef der Blut Indianer. Chef des Indiens Sangs. Chief of the Blood-Indians; Kriegs Chef der Piekann Indianer. Chef de guerre des Indines Piékanns. War-chief of the Piekann Indians; Kutanä Indianer. Indien Koutané. Koutani Indian.
8. Cutoff-River, Arm des Wabash. / Cutoff-River, Bras du Wabash. / Cutoff-River, branch of the Wabash.
80. Bisonheerden und Elkhirsche am obern Missouri. / Troupeauz de bisons et d'elks sur le haut Missouri. / Herds of bisons and elks on the upper Missouri.
81. Indianische geräthschaften und waffen. / Ustensiles et armes indiens. / Indian utensils and arms.
82. Map to Illustrate the Route of Prince Maximilian of Wied
9. Tower-Rock, Ansicht vom Missisippi. / Tower-Rock, vue sur le Missisippi. / Tower-Rock, view on the Missisippi.